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Podcasts Take Two
Sonoma Fire, Microgrids, EV Chargers
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Oct 24, 2019
Listen 29:56
Sonoma Fire, Microgrids, EV Chargers

The latest news with the wildfire burning in Sonoma County, How microgrids could help prevent power shutoffs, How LA's street lights are being converted to accommodate electric vehicle chargers.

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 25:  A power cable from a vehicle charging station is seen plugged into the side of a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid August 25, 2010 in San Francisco, California. With sales of electric and plug-in hybrid cars expected to increase in the coming years, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has set aside $5 million to increase the number of electric car charging stations to 5,000 around the Bay Area. There are currently 120 stations in the area.  (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 25: A power cable from a vehicle charging station is seen plugged into the side of a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid August 25, 2010 in San Francisco, California. With sales of electric and plug-in hybrid cars expected to increase in the coming years, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has set aside $5 million to increase the number of electric car charging stations to 5,000 around the Bay Area. There are currently 120 stations in the area. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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The latest news about the wildfire burning in Sonoma County. Plus, how microgrids could help prevent power shutoffs during wildfire season. And how L.A.'s street lights are incorporating electric vehicle chargers. 

Sonoma Wildfire

Wind gusts of up to 80 mph have contributed to a wildfire burning its way through northeastern Sonoma County. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. We bring you the latest. 

Guest:

  • Dan Brekke, KQED

Housing for Health

Our California Dream collaboration is looking for solutions to some of California's most pressing problems. In this case homelessness, and projects going on across the state that save taxpayer money by housing the most vulnerable  homeless people – those who cycle from the street to the ER and back again. KPCC's Matt Tinoco reports on the progress that's been made through the L.A. County program called Housing for Health.

EV Chargers

LADOT has partnered with the LADWP and the Bureau of Street Lighting to start transitioning many of the parking spaces it owns and operates into EV charging spots. KPCC's Sue Carpenter reports.

Microgrids

Southern California Edison has shut off power to about 1,500 homes in the Southland today. It's a preemptive measure in case heavy winds knock over electricity transmission lines that could spark a wildfire. The move follows a controversial power shutoff in the Bay Area, and it's raising an important question: Isn't there a better way to produce and transmit electricity?

Guest:

  • Jack Brouwer, University of California-Irvine

Throwback Thursday: Prizefighting

The story of Jess Willard, the City of Vernon, and the trial that changed prizefighting in California.

Guest:

  • Julia Bricklin