In a modest but meaningful step forward for home solar in California, Governor Newsom signed SB 868, a bill that will permit California residents to install small plug-in solar panels on porches, fences, or balconies. By powering a few appliances with the small panels, residents can use solar to reduce their electric bills without public utility involvement. Panels that legally qualify for installation are expected to be on store shelves...

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The San Bernardino County Supervisors meeting on August 18 drew a large number of commenters on item 76: "Conduct a public hearing to consider the proposed ordinance to repeal and reenact local surface mining and land reclamation regulations." Commenters expressed strong concerns that through the proposed changes, the County was handing over environmental review to the recently greatly weakened federal environmental review process. After the comment period, Chair Dawn Rowe...

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With a focus on health concerns in addition to support for other commenters' concerns with tourism, MBCA sent a comment letter opposing the Supervisors' August 18 impending vote to approve a recommendation that would remove the county from the permitting of mining operations with federal approval. Federal environmental guidelines have been changed to reduce effective review. The specific concern addressed is fine particles of the radioactive element Thorium unearthed in...

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