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Environment - page 8

Water, energy, conservation, wildlife and environmental issues.

Visit Tuolumne County and Enjoy the Nature and History of California This Winter

in Environment

When you think of California, images of sunshine and the stunning Pacific coastline are likely the first to pop in your head. Between the beaches and nearby mountains and lakes, there’s much to see. The state has even more to offer, especially in Tuolumne County, where you can have a memorable winter vacation for the whole family.

Tuolumne County offers wide-open spaces, small crowds and plenty of activities to entertain the whole family. It’s close to other California destinations like San Francisco and the larger Bay Area. It’s also a hot spot for eco-friendly tourism and adventure.

“Tuolumne County has much to offer, and the local community is doing its part to make sure it’s around for generations to come,” said Lisa Mayo, president and CEO of Visit Tuolumne County. “Visitors can enjoy the county’s nature and experience California’s rich history.”

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Chevron to Build 30 Hydrogen Fueling Stations in California

in Environment

(CBM) – Timothy Simon, CEO of the California African American Chamber of Commerce, says a new clean energy program in Southern California is an “awesome opportunity” for Black businesses.

Simon, who is an attorney and former Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission, says he looks forward to more Black entrepreneurs and companies participating in the emerging green economy.

Last Thursday, the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) announced a proposal to introduce green hydrogen infrastructure in the greater Los Angeles region, an early step in a broader statewide plan to help replace fossil fuels by 2035.

Continue Reading on The Observer

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Grayson Residents Get Their Hands Dirty for Next Phase of Riverside Forest Restoration

in Environment

A new phase of river restoration launched Saturday with help from people in nearby Grayson.

They planted native trees and brush in an area that will augment work already done at Dos Rios Ranch, just to the northeast.

The nonprofit River Partners hopes that mimicking natural floodplain can aid wildlife while buffering high flows where the Tuolumne and San Joaquin meet.

The new 285-acre project is notable also because it is much closer to a town than any other part of the total 2,400 acres. Grayson is just a few hundred feet away as the crow flies, and someday a trail might provide easy access.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

Turlock Irrigation District Will Be the First in the Nation to Put Solar Panels on Canals

in Environment/Business & Economy
Project locations are located just outside of Ceres and outside of Turlock Lake in the Hickman area.
Project locations are located just outside of Ceres and outside of Turlock Lake in the Hickman area.

TURLOCK, Calif. — A small portion of Turlock Irrigation District’s canals will be part of a first-of-its-kind project that puts solar panels over canals.

“On its surface, it’s putting solar panels over canals, right? Not necessarily groundbreaking, however, this is the first type of project in California… this is really a groundbreaking project and the first in the nation,” said Josh Weimer, External Affairs director for TID.

The project is formally known as Project Nexus. It follows research out of UC Merced that studied how putting solar panels over canals could net some positive impacts for the state. During the project, TID will have their eyes on water evaporation, improvements to water quality, canal maintenance and renewable energy generation. 

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TID Lands $20 Million Grant to See If Placing Solar Panels Atop Canals Makes Sense

in Environment/Agriculture
An artist rendering shows how solar panels might be placed atop the California Aqueduct in western Stanislaus County. SOLAR AQUAGRID LLC
An artist rendering shows how solar panels might be placed atop the California Aqueduct in western Stanislaus County. SOLAR AQUAGRID LLC

The Turlock Irrigation District plans to use a $20 million state grant to demonstrate solar panels atop canals.

TID would be the first water agency in the nation to try such a thing if its board votes Tuesday to accept the money.

The panels would feed electricity into transmission lines already along the canals, helping TID boost the renewable sources for its 103,000 or so power customers. The devices also would shade the water, possibly reducing evaporation losses for farmers.

The pilot project grew out of a study last year at the Merced and Santa Cruz campuses of the University of California. Researchers said installing canal panels throughout the Central Valley could get the state halfway to its goal for climate-safe power.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

Sites Reservoir in Colusa County Clears a Critical Funding Hurdle, California Farm Bureau Reports

in Environment

The atmospheric river storm that brought some rain and snow to the parched state may serve as a reminder that California is still waiting to build planned infrastructure for storing water in wet years for use in dry years.

The California Water Commission last week took a key step forward on funding four water storage projects. They now are eligible to receive funds from $2.7 billion earmarked for public benefits of new projects authorized through the Water Storage Investment Program.

The funds are a portion of the $7.1 billion authorized through Proposition 1, a water bond passed by voters in 2014.

While commission members did not formally award any funds, they voted to advance four projects as feasible for construction and eligible to receive bond money.

Continue Reading on Sierra Sun Times

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Air District Receives $20.7 Million in Federal Clean Air Funding

in Environment

The Valley Air District accepted over $20.7 million in additional U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funding to replace old agricultural tractors, heavy-duty trucks and wood burning devices. This funding award represents the biggest award provided nationally to any entity under this solicitation.

“Grant funds such as these recognize the partnerships with Valley residents, farmers, and businesses to expedite emission reductions in the San Joaquin Valley through the deployment of the latest and cleanest technologies,” stated Samir Sheikh, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. “With these funds and matching investments by local partners, the EPA is acknowledging the unique challenges of the Valley and providing much needed and appreciated financial assistance.”

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Monday Storm Helps Bolster Snowpack

in Environment

A welcomed storm hit Turlock and the West Coast on Monday, providing much-needed precipitation in the region’s watershed and providing reinforcements to the state’s depleted snowpack. 

Turlock Irrigation District hydrologist Olivia Cramer provided good news to the water agency’s Board of Directors during their meeting Tuesday, following a stormy start to the week which left Turlock streets flooded and caused at least one major power outage.

With data up to Sunday, Cramer reported that just 1.5 inches of rainfall had been received in December — but she assured Directors that once numbers from Monday’s storm were tallied, the Tuolumne River Watershed’s total precipitation would sit well above the 5.86-inch historical average for the month. Snow sensor data on Sunday also sat at just 61.5% of average for the date, Cramer added, but by Tuesday morning were reading at levels 107% or average. 

Continue Reading Turlock Journal

Innovative Projects Key to Water Conservation at Stan State

in Education/Environment

Water reclamation is vital to Stan State’s mission of sustainability. Essentially, the way the campus is heated, cooled, irrigated and powered depends almost entirely on water.

Situated behind Bizzini Hall and next to Village Lake is the Central Plant, the heart of the water reclamation system on campus. Nestled within the plant lies an essential piece of the university’s water puzzle, a computer panel that tracks every move the reclamation system makes in real time.

Keeping an eye on the system, which is connected to multiple buildings all around campus, is one of Louie Oliveira’s jobs. As manager and chief engineer for Capital Planning and Facilities Maintenance (CPFM), he’s got a computer monitor in his office to keep tabs on the system and is alerted via an app on his phone if anything ever goes wrong, even if it’s the middle of the night.  

Continue Reading on CSU Signal

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Turlock Nerf Group Looks to Combine Fitness and Hobby in Local Community

in Environment

A local group formed on Facebook has given community members an opportunity to discover a new way to have fun while exercising with friends.

Turlock Nerf Group organizes monthly events consisting of multiple games involving foam blasters with the goal of promoting a fun reason to get out of the house, interact with other individuals in a safe environment, and exercising in a way that feels more like a game instead of a chore.

Group creator and blaster enthusiast Wally White oversees the growing group while also organizing the free to attend events.

Continue Reading on CSU Signal

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