Golden Gate Bridge officials said today that a $1 toll hike is needed to help close a projected five-year, $91 million deficit, but they want to hear from the public before deciding whether to move forward with their plan to boost revenue. The bridge board of directors will be asked Friday to give the go-ahead for a public outreach process to gauge reaction to the proposal that would raise the cash toll to $6 and the electronic FasTrak toll to $5. SF Chronicle 1/23/08
The California Coastal Commission argued in federal court Tuesday that President Bush violated the U.S. Constitution by trying to overturn a court order that restricted the Navy's use of a type of sonar linked to the deaths of marine mammals. The commission's attorneys said Bush's move to exempt the Navy sonar training exercises in Southern California waters from federal law violated the Constitution's separation-of-powers doctrine. Bush provided only a "cursory basis" for his decision and did not provide an explanation from the Secretary of Commerce, as required for an exemption to the Coastal Zone Management Act, the state attorney general's office argued. LA Times 1/23/08
Major U.S. airlines began rolling back fuel surcharges Tuesday, just days after doubling the fee to $40 on round-trip tickets, as domestic passengers balked at the fare increases amid signs of a slowing economy. Despite the latest failed attempt, fares in general are expected to rise this year, with air travel during spring break rising 10% to 12% compared with the same period last year. LA Times 1/23/08
What was once planned as a massive model for transit-oriented development in Millbrae with housing near the BART station may turn into office-focused retail because of a recent shift in market interest in such projects and the credit crunch for lending. The council unanimously approved a 90-day extension last night with warnings that a lack of forward movement could cause the city to rethink the partnership. San Mateo Daily Journal 1/23/08
The California Travel and Tourism Commission is set to launch a $4.5 million ad campaign, directed at Europe, and later Japan. KCBS 1/20/08
The U. S. Coast Guard released a video compilation of its most dramatic rescues of 2007. All videos are available as a broadcast-quality download on http://cgvi.uscg.mil. Wilmington News Journal 1/23/08
The chair of the California Air Resources Board Mary D Nichols has written an article supporting the importance of hydrogen vehicles in the state. Ms Nichols draws attention to the Hydrogen Highway, which is backed by state governor Arnold Schwarzanegger and explains the environmental benefits. Fuel Cell Today 1/21/08
Port authorities approved a controversial container fee Monday expected to generate $1.6 billion to subsidize the purchase of cleaner trucks working in the nation's largest seaport. The fee, approved unanimously by the Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission, will be tacked onto every loaded container leaving or entering waterfront marine terminals by truck beginning June 1 and ending in 2012. An identical fee is expected to be approved by the Port of Los Angeles on Thursday. Press Telegram 12/18/07
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