CEC gives two local dairies $8 million for manure to energy projects

Two local dairies will benefit from California Energy Commission (CEC) grants totaling $8 million for the development of manure to energy projects. The CEC announced on Wednesday that American Biogas Electric Company was awarded two grants of $4 million each for projects at Bakersfield's Lakeview Farms Dairy and Buttonwillow's West Star North Dairy.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/cec-gives-two-local-dairies-8-million-for-manure-to-energy-projects

Sierra Club formally asks CEC to terminate HECA permit application

The troubled Hydrogen Energy California project (HECA) sustained another blow to its chances of becoming a reality today as a result of actions by environmental opponents. In a March 3, 2015, letter to the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (commonly referred to as the CEC), the Sierra Club and two local citizen's groups formally requested that the agency terminate the application for the project. According to the Sierra Club, the project applicant, SCS Energy California LLC (SCS), has failed to diligently follow through with several tasks and submit requested documentation for over 18 months.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/sierra-club-formally-asks-cec-to-terminate-heca-permit-application

California plastic bag ban put on hold for almost 2 years

A ban on single-use plastic bags from pharmacies, grocery, convenience, and liquor stores that was to have taken effect in July of this year was put on hold with an announcement yesterday from California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Opponents of the measure, known to many as SB-270, successfully gathered enough signatures on a petition for a referendum on the new law. As a result, the referendum will be put on the November 8, 2016 election ballot.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/california-plastic-bag-ban-put-on-hold-for-almost-2-years

SJVAPCD proposing major fee increases for farmers, industry, and others

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is proposing major fee increases in an effort to generate more revenues to pay for its ongoing programs. Some of the fee increases will be a little less than a 5% increase each of the next two years, however, other fee increases will be significantly higher and some new fees will also be adopted.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/sjvapcd-proposing-major-fee-increases-for-farmers-industry-and-others