CaHSRA issues draft EIR/EIS for Bakersfield to Palmdale segment of bullet train

The California High Speed Rail Authority (CaHSRA) has just released a draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for a segment of the project that will connect Bakersfield to Palmdale in Los Angeles County.

The approximately 80-mile section of the state-wide project will include stations in Bakersfield and Palmdale while passing through or near the communities of Edison, Tehachapi, Rosamond, and Lancaster. It will close the existing passenger rail gap between Northern and Southern California.

The CaHRSA will be accepting public comments on the draft EIR/EIS until April 13, 2020, as it undergoes a required CEQA and NEPA review. The final EIR/EIS will be issued in 2021.

In addition, public hearings will be held as follows:

Lancaster
March 4,2020
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Jane Reynolds Park Activity Center
716 Oldfield Street
Lancaster, PA 93534

Bakersfield
March 5, 2020
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Edison Middle School Gym
721 S. Edison Road
Bakersfield, CA 93307

Rosamond
March 26, 2020
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Rosamond Public Library
3611 Rosamond Blvd.
Rosamond, CA 93560


For more information on the document and other ways to submit comments: Bakersfield to Palmdale Draft EIR/EIS

With much fanfare, CaHSR and Congressman Costa announce a new funding bill that has zero Republican support

On February 21, 2020, the California High Speed Rail Authority (CaHSRA) announced the release of a new federal funding bill sponsored by Congressman Jim Costa that would provide $32 billion dollars to fund projects in federally designated high-speed rail corridors.

CaHSRA proposed Bakersfield Station map

Photo Credit: CaHSRA

The press release trumpeted Costa, Congressman T.J. Cox, and other CaHSRA officials as if the new funding was soon to be on its way to help California's beleaguered bullet train project.

However, not mentioned in the press release is that Costa and his 9 co-sponsors, all Democrats, had merely introduced the bill to the House of Representatives on February 7, 2020. The bill was then referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure where it currently sits. As of this time, no further action has been taken.

To clarify, no new bill has been voted upon or passed by the House, no new bill has been sent to, voted upon, or approved by the Republican controlled U.S. Senate (unlikely at this time), and no new bill has been signed into law by the President (even more unlikely if Trump remains in office).

In short, the fanfare related to the bill appears to be much to do about nothing at this time.

Should farmers consider Wind Farming as an additional crop?

Is there enough wind for farmers here in the San Joaquin Valley to consider it a "crop?"




Here's a link to USA Today's original story by Elizabeth Weise on wind farming by farmers in Kansas, as posted by Frank Brill on EnviroPolitics.com:

Wind energy gives American farmers a new crop to sell in tough times

Whole Foods Market, Hobby Lobby, Walgreens, and others fined for violating California air pollution laws

Remember this the next time you find yourself walking down the aisles of your local Whole Foods Market, thinking about what a healthy choice you have made by shopping there instead of one of the other major grocery chains: the California Air Resources Board (CARB) just fined Whole Foods for selling products that violated  California's air pollution laws.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whole_Foods_Market_logo.svg

You read that correctly. Whole Foods and other companies were found to be selling products that emitted levels of air pollution that are not allowed in the state. The chemicals released, called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), are key components in the formation of photochemical smog. They are found in a variety of common household cleaners, air fresheners, lubricants, and other products.

Whole Foods was fined $5,250 for selling imported products that did not meet California's requirements.

Similarly, Hobby Lobby was fined $4.920 and Walgreens was fined $80,000 for selling products labeled as "not for sale in California."

Other companies found to be in violation of air pollution laws were Walmart Stores Inc., Save Mart Companies, and TJX Companies.

 “Many common household products contain compounds that contribute to ground level ozone formation,” explains CARB Enforcement Division Chief Todd Sax. “Breathing in ozone may cause people to experience chest pain, coughing and throat irritation. It is important that retailers understand their role to ensure household products they sell meet clean air standards before those products reach California households.”

For more information about chemicals found in common household products, please click on the following link: Consumer Products and Air Pollution