Los Angeles Times // In order to retain federal funds, California’s High Speed Rail project would have to spend $3.5 million daily to meet the 2017 deadline for finished construction of track in the Central Valley. If approved, the project would have the fastest rate of transportation construction known in U.S. history.
NPR // Conservationist surfers make a section of the Central California coast a World Surfing Reserve. While there is no legal protection that comes with the title, it identifies environmental threats such as water pollution and coastal development. It also points out that the multimillion-dollar surf industry is subsequently affected by those threats as well.
SF Gate // Oakland makes strides in offering public access to data collected by the city. This “open data” policy, similar to one already adopted by the city of San Francisco, has a wide range of possibilities—government transparency and accountability, data for web and mobile applications, and information provided for those who want to learn about Oakland. Many city council members support the decision to support open data but also want to see a costs benefits analysis to understand the true cost of the decision.
Mercury News // Stop.Waste.org is offering up to $5,000 in rebates and free consulting to small businesses in Alameda County who incorporate green improvements and retrofits