Members of the board mapping out a statewide bullet-train system said they would settle the issue next month. The train system should take the Pacheco Pass route, entering the Bay Area near a stop in Gilroy, rather than coming through the Altamont Pass, if the California High-Speed Rail Authority board follows the recommendation presented Wednesday by its staff. This portion is the last unsettled section of the proposed 700-mile system connecting the state's major cities. Contra Costa Times 11/15/07
The Coast Guard may consider restricting movement of ships in heavy fog in the wake of the 58,000-gallon oil spill in San Francisco Bay, the head of the agency said. Another possible change would be to develop a "risk matrix" that could trigger controls on movement of ships when a number of factors such as weather, tide, port congestion, etc., added up to a risky situation. Contra Costa Times 11/15/07
On a day the U.S. Coast Guard replaced its lead officer overseeing response to the Nov. 7 oil spill, the agency acknowledged Wednesday that most of the ship's crew was not tested for drugs until two days after the incident, a violation of federal law. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating why the Cosco Busan hit the Bay Bridge, releasing 58,000 gallons of oil, also said that their expert tested the ship's navigational system, which the bar pilot said was faulty, and that it was "performing as expected." Contra Costa Times 11/15/07
Sen. Barbara Boxer agreed Tuesday to take more time to work through complex global warming legislation amid concerns about the possible economic impact of mandating sharp cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. At a hearing of the Environment Committee, which Boxer heads, the California Democrat said she will not try to push through a vote on a bill, as she had once planned, before a major United Nations climate change conference begins in Indonesia on Dec. 3. Tuesday's hearing showed how much work remains and how many obstacles may block passage. Environmental groups worry that too many carbon credits would be given away to heavy polluters, and they want more credits to be auctioned, with the proceeds paying for clean technology and helping low-income consumers. Contra Costa Times 11/15/07
Criminal charges for violating environmental laws have been scarce in Bay Area federal courts during the past six years. And they have dropped sharply since reaching a peak in 2001, a MediaNews review of U.S. Justice Department data shows. This mirrors national trends -- from 2001 to 2006, the Bush administration's prosecution of environmental crimes declined 36 percent, the Justice Department data show. Lawyers familiar with environmental law attribute the decline to a combination of factors, including a shrinking commitment to environmental enforcement and a siphoning of federal law enforcement resources to combat terrorism. Contra Costa Times 11/15/07
A 10-year contract between UC Berkley and BP, unveiled by UC Berkeley officials Wednesday, establishes an Energy Biosciences Institute to discover better biofuels and other alternative energy breakthroughs. But it configures a different governing board than was presented after the plan was first announced in February. The main oversight body, the governance board, will be have eight voting members with half coming from BP. The plan proposed by UC and presented to the public in the past called for five board members, with two from BP and three from the three academic partners. SF Chronicle 11/15/07
American Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. announced plans at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday to put alternative fuel technology vehicles on the road in California in coming months. Honda and GM's Chevrolet have developed hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars for limited test use, while Ford is producing a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Honda says it will lease the four-door sedans to a limited number of people in Irvine, Santa Monica and Torrance by next summer. LA Times 11/15/07
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