Bakersfield Recycles Day - Saturday, November 14, 2026

For all of our followers/readers in the Bakersfield area, here's a chance to recycle some of those things that have been taking up space in your house:

Online Town Hall - Boeing's Dangerous Demolition at the Santa Susana Field Lab

Many of you, particularly those of you who live in or near the the eastern part of Ventura County or the northwestern portion of Los Angeles County, are aware of the controversies surrounding a former rocket and nuclear reactor testing facility operated by Rocketdyne (now Boeing) known as the Santa Susana Field Lab.

For those who aren't, the former facilities were left contaminated with radioactive, heavy metal, and other hazardous wastes. Long time residents have claimed that the presence of such harmful materials has led to increased cancer rates and still poses a significant danger to the public.

Although the facility is located entirely within Ventura County, it sits directly on the border with Los Angeles County. The 2,850 acre site is in the Simi Hills of southeastern Ventura County, but its southern border puts it immediately adjacent to the L.A. communities of Chatsworth and West Hills.

Numerous lawsuits and public hearings have been filed and held. Some penalties have been issued but many claim those penalties were insufficient. 

Boeing previously announced plans to demolish several buildings at the site, and got regulatory approval to do so during the recent Santa Ana winds last week despite public objections

An online Town Hall/webinar meeting to discuss these issues is being held this evening, October 20, 2026, between 7:00 - 8:30 PM PDT. The webinar will update what Boeing is doing, what residents of the area can do about it, how to protect yourself and family, and a Q & A session.

If you are interested, the event is free and you may register at this link: Boeing Demolition Webinar Registration

Additionally, a documentary on the effects of contamination from this site has been made and is available here: In the Dark of the Valley 

California approves E15 ethanol gasoline, but, is it safe for your car?

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) yesterday approved amendments to the state's gasoline regulations that will allow E15 fuel to be sold at gas stations in the state.

Photo Credit: CARB

E15 fuel is a blend of gasoline with up to 15% ethanol. Previously, the limit was 10% (the fuel was labeled E10).

Gas stations selling the fuel will have a label that states whether the fuel has E10 or E15 gasoline.

However, it is important to note, especially for those of you driving older vehicles, to check your owner's manual (or by other means) to ensure that E10 or E15 gasoline is safe to use. The presence of ethanol in gasoline has caused damage to engine fuel systems in older models and possibly some newer ones as well. The use of E15 may actually void your warranty as well!

Here is a link to CARB's announcement: CARB Approves E15 Fuel

The following may be helpful in determining whether it is safe to use E10 or E15 gasoline, but, be sure to check your owner's manual as stated above: 

Vehicles and Engines Prohibited from Using E15

Pre-2001 light-duty vehicles: Traditional cars, trucks, and SUVs built in model year 2000 or older lack the computer controls and upgraded fuel lines needed to handle higher ethanol. [1, 2]

• Motorcycles and ATVs: Small powertrains and carburetors can suffer severe rubber and plastic corrosion. [1, 2]
• Marine and off-road engines: Boats, snowmobiles, and jet skis are strictly prohibited by the Department of Energy. [1]
• Small utility equipment: Lawn mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and generators will experience rapid fuel system damage. [1, 2]
• Specific manufacturer exceptions: Some specific older or high-performance models (such as certain pre-2014 Honda or older Mazda Skyactiv configurations) advise against E15, so your owner's manual remains the final authority. [1, 2]

Vehicles Prohibited from Using E10

• Classic and vintage cars: Vehicles built before widespread ethanol adoption (generally pre-1980s or older classics) have metallic, rubber, and cork components that degrade when exposed to 10% ethanol unless retrofitted.

Valley Air District releases 2025 Annual Report to the Community

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has just released a digital highlights summary of its 2025 Annual Report. You can access the report in English here and in Spanish here.

Photo Credit: SJVAPCD 2025 Annual Report

The report summarizes air quality progress, pollution levels, control efforts, and much more that has resulted in Valley air quality to be cleanest on record.

Said Samir Sheikh, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer: "Based on air monitoring data collected throughout the region, 2025 was the cleanest year on record across numerous air quality metrics. For the first time, every federal reference monitoring site recorded levels below the federal 24-hour PM2.5 standard. At the same time, we continued to make meaningful progress in reducing ozone concentrations with the lowest number of exceedances of ozone standards on record. Overall, the Valley continued to have more “Good” air quality days, and a record low number of only five “Unhealthy” days across all Valley counties, down from over 100 days just ten years ago, and hundreds of days twenty years ago. These improvements bring the Valley closer than ever to attaining the remaining federal health-based standards, and represents real improvements in the air we breathe and tangible health benefits for the communities we serve."

The report summarizes, permit actions, grants & incentives, partnerships, air quality monitoring, rewards, and general information about the Valley Air District.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is made up of eight counties in California's Central Valley - San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin portion of Kern.

The Valley Air District is governed by a fifteen member Governing Board consisting of representatives from the Board of Supervisors of all eight counties, one Health and Science member, appointed by the Governor, one Physician, appointed by the Governor and five Valley city representatives.

Visit the agency's website to learn more about it, including rules and regulations, hearings and public meetings, current air quality data and alerts, employment, and other information.