KPBS News: Environment

Fungus-Spreading Frogs Could 'Wipe Out' California Amphibians

David Wagner — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:38:42 -0700

The San Diego Zoo's resident frog disease expert worries that a fungus carried by invasive frogs could make most of California's amphibians simply disappear.

Group Fighting San Onofre Restart Deserves Hearing, Licensing Board Rules

City News Service — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:10:41 -0700

An anti-nuclear group fighting plans to restart the idled San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station deserves a hearing over a license amendment for the northern San Diego County plant's operator and majority owner, Southern California Edison, the Atomic Safety Licensing Board ruled today.

Another Day Of Heat Expected In San Diego

Susan Murphy — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:58:11 -0700

Another day of record-breaking heat is expected in San Diego County today, as a high pressure system remains settled over the region.

Strict New Stormwater Runoff Rules Approved For San Diego

Susan Murphy — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

Toxins, sewage and trash regularly flow into San Diego's beaches and rivers by way of storm drains after a heavy rain. To combat the problem, San Diego Water regulators have approved strict new rules.

San Diego Sues State Regulators Over Kinder Morgan's Water Discharges Into Murphy Canyon Creek

Amita Sharma — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:48:32 -0700

The city the California Regional Water Quality Control Board of abusing its discretion. The board says it's confident in how it has regulated the cleanup.

San Onofre Hearing Set To Begin Amid Hint From Edison Of Permanent Shutdown

Megan Burke, Maureen Cavanaugh — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:36:32 -0700

Southern California Edison says if nuclear regulators turn down its request to restart one reactor, Edison may decide to shut the plant permanently. But that's just one of the issues surrounding San Onofre, as we head into another summer without power from the plant.

Sequestration Will Hurt Firefighting Ability, Says California National Guard (Video)

Beth Ford Roth — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:02:08 -0700

The California National Guard has played a key role in fighting the fires burning throughout the state. But Major General David Baldwin says the Guard's ability to fight future fires will be hampered by sequestration cuts.

Brown Proposing Changes to Prop 65

Katie Orr, Capital Public Radio — Wed, 08 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

Governor Jerry Brown wants to update a California law designed to keep you informed about potentially hazardous chemicals in the air.

Cities, Counties Get $7 Million To Enforce Tire Waste Laws

Steve Milne, Capital Public Radio — Wed, 08 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

The state is giving money to more than 40 cities and counties in California to fight illegal dumping and storage of old tires.

Grand Jury Applauds Miramar Landfill's Methane-To-Energy Project

Susan Murphy — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:24:24 -0700

The San Diego County Grand Jury is applauding the methane-to-power conversion at the Miramar Landfill. The garbage dump has also helped create a unique partnership between city and government officials.

San Diego Could Get New Pollution Rules For Storm Water

Erik Anderson — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

Regional water quality officials are poised to approve a new storm water permit this week.

California Water Supply To Be Drawn From Storage To Meet Demand

Susan Murphy — Fri, 03 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

The final California snow survey was bad news for the millions of residents and farmers who rely on the snowpack for their water. It also means water officials will have to draw from storage reserves for the first time since 2009 to meet demand.

Hot Temperatures, Santa Ana Winds Moving Into San Diego County

Susan Murphy — Wed, 01 May 2013 06:33:35 -0700

Fire danger is expected to increase on Thursday and Friday as near-record heat and dry Santa Ana winds arrive to San Diego County.

San Diego Eases Graywater Rules

Erik Anderson — Wed, 01 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

San Diego city officials approved new rules yesterday that make it easier for residents to tap into a water source they already use.

Thousands Prepare For Beach Clean Up

Erik Anderson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:40:40 -0700

Clean-up organizers expect to pick up less trash on San Diego beaches and creekbeds this weekend.

Air Quality Report Shows Progress, Challenges

Hailey Persinger — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:15:55 -0700

According to the American Lung Association's 2013 Report on Air Quality released Tuesday, pollution throughout California ranges from terrible to not so bad. Despite some progress in cities such as San Diego, Southern California still sits atop the list as having the worst air in America.

Greenhouse Gas Levels Approach 'Worrisome' Milestone

Susan Murphy — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:00:00 -0700

Greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) is increasing at a steep rate in the Earth's atmosphere and approaching a troubling new milestone: The heat-trapping gas could reach sustained levels of 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide by next month.

San Diego Honors Businesses For Recycling

Erik Anderson — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:42:49 -0700

The city of San Diego honored top recyclers Monday as part of Earth Day.

Bomb Unit Removes Military Explosive From San Diego Area Beach

Beth Ford Roth — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:31:10 -0700

A calm Sunday afternoon at Cardiff State Beach was disrupted when a beachgoer walking along the shoreline discovered a military ordnance on the sand, prompting evacuation of the area.

Earth Day Puts Spotlight On San Diego's Environment

Marissa Cabrera, Maureen Cavanaugh, Peggy Pico — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:16:39 -0700

How dirty is the air we breath and the water we drink?