Category: Energy
Citizen Methane
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, leaks from abandoned wells across the country. Curtis Shuck has been finding them by hand, well by well. But finding the leaks is where satellites and citizens come in.
The Case for Climate Castles
As climate change throws more extreme events at us, isn’t it time to think bigger, bolder, further ahead? Six young architects draw climate-resilient castles.
San Francisco’s Subtle Greenwashing
San Francisco is increasingly seen as a “green” city but its track record doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
All Stories
A Fruitvale Microgrid Could Inspire Resiliency if Approved
33 Fruitvale homes in Oakland could look forward to improved air quality, lowered water usage, greener energy and an innovation in the local energy system called a microgrid through a project called EcoBlock.
Citizen Methane
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, leaks from abandoned wells across the country. Curtis Shuck has been finding them by hand, well by well. But finding the leaks is where satellites and citizens come in.
The Case for Climate Castles
As climate change throws more extreme events at us, isn’t it time to think bigger, bolder, further ahead? Six young architects draw climate-resilient castles.
San Francisco’s Subtle Greenwashing
San Francisco is increasingly seen as a “green” city but its track record doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
Flipping the Switch on All-Electric Housing
An East Palo Alto affordable housing project is at the forefront of a trend cities across California are trying to encourage: switching from natural gas appliances to electric ones. But the transition isn’t without headaches.
Is Weed Greener Indoors or Out?
Although cannabis has a reputation as an environmentally-friendly plant, indoor cannabis cultivation demands significant energy to maintain precise light and temperature requirements. Last year, Colorado State researchers published the first study on the topic.
Solar Ceilings for Farmland, Coal Mines, Desert
Almost 3,000 acres of Mojave Desert will soon be permanently shaded by solar panels. Federal officials have indicated they’re ready to approve a third plant in the same area. Better options for situating solar projects could be…
Power Down, Safety Up for Christmas Hill
“We’re still in the process of analyzing our other fire-prone areas of town, but based on what we already know about Christmas Tree Hill’s vulnerabilities to fire and its limited access routes, we felt it was prudent to initiate this project right away,” says Ron Suokko, Corte Madera’s director of public works.
Clean Energy, Dirty Practices
A program conceived to help homeowners invest in clean, energy-efficient home upgrades may actually be precipitating some low-income Californians’ collapse into debt and foreclosure.
Dryer Vents Blow Hot Air & Microplastics
New research confirms that air vents on tumble dryers – rather than washing machines – may be a leading source of microplastic fibers from clothing in the environment. The insidious little particles are being found, among other places, in ocean-caught fish, beer, and even fecal samples of newborn babies.
Bay Area Leads Nation on Floating Solar
The stately Napa winery of Far Niente and the wastewater treatment plant for the small town of Healdsburg have more than picturesque vineyards in common. Each facility typically produces enough power on-site to run all their operations, and then some. Both hold national records. And the inviting irrigation pond tucked amidst the vineyards at Far Niente bears a striking resemblance to the ponds full of treated sewage-water in Healdsburg.
Cleaner Air, Fewer Health Hazards from Bay Area Refineries
In July, the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District voted 19-3 to amend its Regulation 6, Rule 5, requiring fossil fuel refineries under its jurisdiction to reduce particulate matter emissions from their fluidized catalytic cracking units (“cat crackers” in refinery parlance), a major point source of pollution. The move gave the Bay Area the nation’s most health-protective and stringent regulation on particulate emissions, a recognized health hazard.