by The Editors on July 14, 2008
In another shocking reminder of just how long these last six months of the Bush presidency are going to be, George W. today lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling.
With this action, the executive branch’s restrictions on this exploration have been cleared away. This means that the only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is action from the U.S. Congress,” Mr. Bush told reporters at the White House.
The American people? How can anyone take this seriously. It’s not the American people who will benefit from the rape of America’s coastlines, it’s the Bush family and friends oil business. Luckily, lifting the executive order means nothing until congress agrees.
That didn’t stop US Representative Darrell Issa (R-Vista) from jumping onboard, in a statement released to the North County Times:
“This decision is a step in the right direction for American consumers and our economy, but a defeat for the environmental lobby that has spent tens of millions of dollars in Washington over the years to place our nation’s energy reserves off-limits,” Issa said in a written statement.
Note to the oblivious: the solution is not more drilling, the solution is less consumption. Is this really that difficult to understand?
[Link: Washington Times and North County Times]
by The Editors on July 11, 2008
The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation has purchased 18 acres of land on the lagoon’s northeastern side for $2.4 million dollars, according to a story in the San Diego Union Tribune.
The former owner, the Mitsuuchi family, held the property for more than 20 years and once raised nursery plants there, but it hasn’t been used for agriculture for a long time. The property was zoned for medium-density housing and open space, but its steep slopes and habitat allowed for about half to be developable.
Nice work. Open space is good space.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on July 10, 2008
According to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times, “the Agua Hedionda Watershed Management Plan is scheduled to be released in draft form” today.
The management report will pinpoint areas where restoration work might improve creekside conditions and suggest areas that could be purchased for preservation purposes, Ashford said. . . . “What’s really exciting about this plan is that it’s science-based,” Nygaard said.
Science based sounds good. Can someone please read the rest of this story and let us know what it all means.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on July 10, 2008
In their efforts to do anything it takes to turn our lagoon into a desalination plant, Poseidon Resources has submitted to more “plans” to the California Coastal Commission on Wednesday, according to a story in the North County Times.
One plan is to reduce the desalination plant’s effect on ocean life. The second is to reduce the energy needed by the plant, which would in turn reduce generation of greenhouse gases. . . The plans were requested by the commission as a condition of approving the project, said Scott Maloni, a Poseidon vice president. . . . The Coastal Commission plans to meet sometime in early August in Oceanside to vote on the plan.
Nice to see Poseidon moving in the right direction.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on July 4, 2008
The football field at Carlsbad High School was condemned yesterday after soil tests showed elevated levels of arsenic six inches below the field, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The routine testing was part of the school’s planned expansion, which was to include the demolition of the football field and track at the end of this year’s football season. With the results of last week’s tests, however, orange fencing has been assembled around the field and the Lancers will be playing on a new surface earlier than they imagined.
Maybe that’s why other teams have such a hard time winning at Swede Krcmar Field.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on June 19, 2008
According to 10news.com 10 more dead birds found around San Diego County, including Carlsbad, have tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
We are finding more evidence of the virus in urban areas rather than rural and mountain areas,” said Gary Erbeck, director of the DEH. “West Nile virus is a preventable disease,” he said. “You should protect yourself by using insect repellent, as well as inspect your backyard each weak for mosquito breeding areas.”
If you find dead birds in your neighborhood you can report them by visiting the county’s www.SDFightTheBite.com website.
[Link: 10news.com]
by The Editors on June 19, 2008
No, the Encina Power Station is not throwing a birthday party for big people. They are simply using huge 10 green balloons to show the size of the proposed powerplant that would be the next phase of their continued industrialization of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The new plant would replace three of Encina’s five steam-driven turbines, so the old plant and its stack would remain standing for the foreseeable future. . . . NRG raised a group of green balloons this week to show the location and height of the new plant and its 140-foot-high smokestacks.
. . . The gas-powered plant would consist of a two-part electrical generating system. Gas would be burned to drive a turbine that produces electricity; then heat from that process would drive a steam turbine to produce more power.
Apparently, the new plant could need up to “500,000 gallons of water a day to generate electricity from its steam turbines” and to get this water NRG would like to put in it’s own “desalination plant.” They say they can’t use water from the proposed Poseidon desal because that project has yet to get the proper permits.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune. Photo: Regis Weber]
by The Editors on June 5, 2008
Most of the world probably doesn’t know this, but June 7, 2008 is National Trails Day and to celebrate the Carlsbad Recreation Department is hosting Trail Blast: Emergency Preparedness on the Lake Calavera Trails beginning at 8:00 AM.
Get information on how to handle emergencies while hiking, such as rattlesnakes, poison oak, falls and heat stroke. Also learn how to deal with biking emergencies that could occur on the trail. Meet the City of Carlsbad’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator to learn helpful tips on what your family can do to be ready for any disaster.
Meet at the Lake Calavera Trail Head (at the intersection of College Blvd. and Carlsbad Village Drive) for guided hikes and tours of the Lake Calavera Trails.
[Link: Carlsbad Recreation Department]
by The Editors on May 14, 2008
They really don’t have any control over what NRG does with their Encina Power Station does with their equipment, but that didn’t stop the Carlsbad City Council from “opposing the proposed addition,” according to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times.
Carlsbad’s council hopes with its vote Tuesday to emphasize concerns the city has about the project in advance of the state’s hearings. City officials have raised questions about air quality, visual blight and other issues, but their main emphasis has been that the entire Encina site ought to get out of the power-generating business. . . . At Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Matt Hall called the nearly 100-acre site one of the best pieces of land along San Diego County’s coastline. Councilwoman Julie Nygaard said the future of the area was of keen interest to many people in Carlsbad.
We’d be happy seeing the power plant go as long as they leave the smoke stack standing.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on May 3, 2008
Carlsbad HIgh School sophomore Michael Caraglio has written an opinion piece for the North County Times on the need for the City of Carlsbad to go smoke-free.
This is to all the citizens of Carlsbad who are wondering why Carlsbad has not passed a smoke-free ordinance like many other cities in San Diego County. I am really wondering, too. . . .My sister and I have been working on encouraging the city to pass such an ordinance for almost three years. . . .I am tired of hearing that there are more important items on the city council agenda. What could be more important than protecting its citizens from secondhand smoke and litter?
Michael, we agree completely. Wonder if it has anything to do with our “pro-smoking” Mayor and council members?
[Link: North County Times and San Diego Union-Tribune]
In another shocking reminder of just how long these last six months of the Bush presidency are going to be, George W. today lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling.
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