Tag Archives: Commiefornia

California to cap income eligibility for clean-vehicle rebates [2014]

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“Nearly four-fifths of [California] rebates went to households earning $100,000 or more. Nearly half of those getting rebates for Tesla’s premium electric sedan earned at least $300,000.  With the state’s incentive program constantly running out of funds — about 13,500 buyers are on a waiting list to get their rebate — state lawmakers are now looking to get more of that money into the hands of lower-income drivers.  Proposed legislation underscores the dilemma the state faces in lowering tailpipe emissions in a traffic-choked state: how to nurture the development of expensive automotive technology without simply underwriting high-priced cars for the rich.”

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-electric-car-rebates-20140807-story.html#page=1

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Chevrolet discounts Spark EV: ‘Cheaper than phone bill’

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“Chevrolet global marketing boss Tim Mahoney, briefing members of the Washington Automotive Press Association in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, wouldn’t say whether the car makes or loses money. Instead, he said its ‘ability to draw new customers to Chevrolet is a major consideration.’   Automakers are forced to take the losses to do business in states that require them to sell a certain number of ‘zero-local-emission’ vehicles. That’s a relatively new description, to acknowledge that the utility power plants generating electricity to recharge electrics do create emissions.”

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/04/14/chevrolet-spark-ev-price-cut/25757935/

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After Banning Pinball 80 Years Ago, Oakland Will Finally Legalize It

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“And here you thought games like Mortal Kombat and Grand Theft Auto had it rough: 80 years ago, pinball — yes, pinball — was a seedy, controversial business. So controversial that thousands of U.S. cities passed laws making pinball machines illegal, including Oakland, California, where you might be surprised to find the game remains a criminal matter on the books to this day. That’s about to change, says the San Francisco Chronicle, which writes that Oakland is set to formally un-ban pinball at last, though it’ll be seen as a symbolic move: pinball machines are alive and well across the city, notes the Chronicle, and the ban hasn’t been enforced for decades.”

http://time.com/2912494/california-town-that-banned-pinball-80-years-ago-will-finally-legalize-it/

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San Jose Police Department says FAA can’t regulate its drone use

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“Late last month, a set of documents showed that the SJPD acquired a Hexacopter called the Century Neo 660, along with a GoPro video camera and live video transmitter. The nearly $7,000 January 2014 purchase was funded through a grant from the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative, a regional arm of the Department of Homeland Security. SJPD Police Chief Larry Esquivel signed off on the drone acquisition nearly two months after the drone was actually acquired, specifically stating contingency on a review by the San Jose City Attorney’s Office, a ‘policy in place,’ and ‘messaging/outreach to public,’ none of which appear to have actually taken place.”

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/08/san-jose-police-say-faa-cant-regulate-its-drone-use-faa-disagrees/

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California governor signs bill legalizing Bitcoin, other digital currencies

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“California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that legalizes the use of Bitcoin and other digital currencies, reversing what backers called an outdated prohibition against use of alternative currencies.  The bill, dubbed AB 129, ensures that various forms of alternative currencies such as digital currencies, coupons, and points are legal for use to purchase goods and services in the state. The new law repeals a provision in existing state law that prohibits anything but US currency being used for commerce.  The Bitcoin Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to promoting best practices for the virtual currency, was ordered last year to cease operations in California, or face hefty fines.”

http://www.cnet.com/news/california-governor-signs-bill-legalizing-bitcoin-other-digital-currencies/

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Dry California Fights Illegal Use of Water for Cannabis

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“Amid the state’s crippling drought, many communities are fighting the growers’ use of water.  Environmentally minded marijuana growers say that illegal operators and water guzzlers are giving them a bad reputation.  Because there are countywide restrictions on the number of marijuana plants even legitimate growers may keep, Mr. Chaitanya said, they have an incentive to make those plants as robust as possible — and that means using more water. Mr. Chaitanya suggested that the problem was exacerbated by confusing regulations.  Sheriff Allman of Mendocino County was skeptical of this. ‘That sounds like logic they’ve made up after smoking a joint,’ he observed.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/07/us/dry-california-fights-illegal-use-of-water-for-cannabis.html

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California Mileage Tax Would Charge Drivers Based on Distance Driven

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“A new bill going through Sacramento would tax drivers for every mile they are on the road.  State transit officials note that there’s not nearly enough money available to fix the many bridges and roads in California that are in desperate need of repair.  A federal highway fund, based on taxes on fuel, is expected to run dry this summer.  Under SB 1077, introduced by DeSaulnier, a still-to-be-determined California city would begin taxing motorists in January 2016. The longer your commute, the more you would pay.  That may yet be a tough sell, but a $0.05 per mile fee could raise over $100 billion for roads in some parts of the state.”

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/California-Mileage-Tax-Would-Charge-Drivers-Based-on-Distance-Driven-258170311.html

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California’s Cap-and-Trade Revolt: Poor Face ‘Hidden’ Gas Tax

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“Large manufacturers and power plants must now either purchase permits or cut their emissions to comply with a state-mandated cap, which over time will be ratcheted down. Transportation fuel suppliers will also have to pony up for permits.   Assembly Democrats fear that applying cap and trade to fuels ‘will cause an immediate jump in prices at the pump.’ While estimates vary, ‘an increase of about fifteen cents per gallon is likely and a much larger jump is possible.’  Green regulations are intended to raise the cost of gas to encourage people to drive less or buy electric cars.  As the Assembly Democrats point out, cap and trade is ‘hurting the most vulnerable members of our communities.'”

http://online.wsj.com/articles/californias-cap-and-trade-revolt-1403908359

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Bankrupt California city facing legalizing marijuana for revenue

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“The bankrupt California city of San Bernardino has a new idea for raising revenue – legalize medical marijuana.  Ironically, the plan was spurred by concerns about not having enough resources to crack down on the illegal medical marijuana dealers springing up all over town.  So the city is now looking at legalizing the sellers, and using tax proceeds to enforce the regulations.  Police have reported as many as 20 illegal storefronts in town at any given time, said the city attorney. ‘We have in this city a proliferation – and a lot of cities in California are experiencing it – of illegal medical marijuana dispensaries. These people are defiant and they are opening up these things right and left.'”

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/07/31/bankrupt-california-city-eyes-marijuana-for-revenue/

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Nation’s largest ocean desalination plant goes up near San Diego

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“To supporters, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant is a historic engineering marvel. And it is a survivor, having endured six years of government permitting, from the Carlsbad City Council to the California Coastal Commission. Supporters won 14 lawsuits and appeals by environmentalists before finally breaking ground in December 2012.  The San Diego County Water Authority will pay from $2,014 to $2,257 an acre foot for the water, depending on how much it buys. The agency, which provides water to 3.1 million people in San Diego County, signed a 30-year contract agreeing to buy at least 48,000 acre feet a year.  With that guarantee, Poseidon and its investors were able to finance the project.”

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_25859513/nations-largest-ocean-desalination-plant-goes-up-near

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