If work goes smoothly, 405 Freeway could reopen early

If demolition work on the Mulholland Drive bridge goes smoothly this weekend, the 10-mile section of the 405 Freeway might reopen early, though officials said Thursday they did not know how much sooner traffic could be moving again on one of the nation's busiest interstates.

All ramps, freeway connectors and lanes on the 405 are set to be back in operation by 6 a.m. Monday. Officials said the freeway could reopen earlier if contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. can finish and clean up the pavement ahead of schedule.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-405-shutdown-20110715,0,5780842.story

Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Dan Weikel

Seabrook safety review put off till 2012

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has put off completion of a safety review of Seabrook Station until the power plant can better explain and halt degradation of concrete at the plant from ground water.

The safety report, originally due out this month as part of the nuclear plant’s bid to continue operating once its license expires in 2030, will be pushed back at least until May 2012.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2011/07/15/seabrook_safety_review_put_on_hold/

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe-Green Blog-Posted by Beth Daley Globe Staff

Copper mine plan for Superior advances in U.S. House

WASHINGTON - A bill to clear the way for development of North America's largest copper mine, near Superior, was approved Wednesday by a deeply divided House Natural Resources Committee.

The party-line vote by the committee was 26-19, with Republicans supporting the federal land swap needed to facilitate the Resolution Copper Mining project and Democrats opposing it.

The next step is a vote by the full House, possibly before the August legislative recess begins Aug. 6. The Republican-led chamber is expected to pass the bill, which supporters say could bring nearly 4,000 jobs to Arizona. Its fate in the Senate is far less certain.

Arizona lawmakers have been trying to win approval of the project for about six years.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/07/14/20110714superior-copper-mine-project-advances.html#ixzz1S6IuwhCs

Article courtesy of The Arizona Republic by Erin Kelly

 

 

California leads 'clean economy,' study finds

Nationwide, 2.7 million people work in the "clean economy," according to a new study. It employs nearly 320,000 people in California. In the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the sector accounts for about 90,000 workers.

Based on the definition offered in the report from the Brookings Institution, which refers to the clean economy as goods and services with an environmental benefit, there are more green jobs than there are positions with the fossil fuel industry.

The study attempts to tackle a quandary faced by many other researchers: What counts as a green job anyway?

Is it just wind turbine makers, solar panel installers and conservation specialists? Or, as Brookings researchers suggest, does the category also include workers in public mass transit, waste management and organic farming?

Find out how the study deals with the ambiguity -– and learn how much green employees make -– in Wednesday's article. 

Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times-Greenspace posted by Tiffany Hsu

 

 

 

Boston looks to make city safer for bicycles

With a bike-sharing program soon to roll into Boston, police are preparing to stand sentinel at intersections across the city known to be flashpoints for unfortunate encounters between bicycles and cars. They will educate cyclists and motorists about bicycle safety - with much of that education coming in the form of traffic citations.

The ramped-up police surveillance is part of Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s new campaign to educate Bostonians on avoiding situations dangerous for bicyclists. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/14/boston_looks_to_make_city_safer_for_bicycles/?p1=Local_Links

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe by Martine Powers

 

 

What July 1 means to thousands of motorists in California

As of July 1, the owners of about 85,000 hybrid vehicle will no longer be able to drivesolo in carpool lanes. The yellow stickers that allowed them access officially expire,after a six-year run. The only Californians allowed to drive alone in carool lanes are theroughly 10,000 with white stickers for all-electric or natural gas vehicles.   Article courtesy of CommuteSmart News

 

 

Maximize space with vertical gardening

Big on ideas but short on space? Maximize your yard's potential by growing up - not out - with vertical gardening.

Long a staple in Europe, vertical gardening is blooming among U.S. landscapers, designers and home gardeners looking to transform skinny side yards, bitty balconies and cramped courtyards into living, breathing masterpieces.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/outdoors/articles/2011/07/12/20110712maximize-space-vertical-gardening.html#ixzz1Rz2rQYw3

Article courtesy of AZCENTRAL.COM by Sarah Wolfe for the Associated Press