Climate Justice (News)

Caltrain considers raising fares to cover fuel

Editor2 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

by Rachel Gordon

Caltrain commuters, many of whom were lured out of their cars to save money at the gas pump, may be paying higher fares to help offset the commuter rail agency's own rising fuel costs.

In April 2007, when Caltrain last raised fares, a gallon of diesel fuel to run the trains was almost $2.30; at the end of last week, the price was $3.39. In early July, the cost skyrocketed to $4.25, showing the volatility of fuel prices.

During the last fiscal year, Caltrain spent almost $11 million on fuel; this year's fuel budget was set at $14.4 million - but even that may not be enough, officials say.

SMART train critical to green transportation strategy

Editor2 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Charles McGlashan

MY FRIEND and colleague Hal Brown listed some great ideas for reducing car trips in his Marin Voice column ("Some real alternatives to SMART," Aug. 17).

Providing financial incentives for employees to carpool, walk, bike or take public transit is a necessary step to get cars off the road and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it has been working well since the county introduced the Green Commute program last year.

Allowing and encouraging more telecommuting also can be an effective tool for employers to reduce vehicle trips by their employees.

Try community input

Editor2 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

MediaNews editorial

WE ARE PLEASED that Chevron is making a major financial contribution to the Richmond community where it operates the Bay Area's largest refinery. But the way the company struck it's $61.6 million community benefits deal smells — and the stink is coming from both sides of the table.

Hispanics And Blacks Worry Most About Climate Change

Editor2 — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

New America Media, News Report, Mary Ambrose,

Editor's Note: California's Latino, Asian and African American communities are in tune with the rest of the state in their desire to have the government tackle environmental issues like air pollution and global warming, according to a recent survey. Communities bearing the brunt of pollution need to be part of the solution. Mary Ambrose is environmental editor for New America Media. This article is available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

Drop traffic-fee plan

Editor2 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

MediaNews editorial

IN ITS LATEST PLAN to make life a bit more difficult, San Francisco is considering charging a rush-hour fee for motorists entering, and perhaps leaving, the city's downtown.

Drivers using a four-square-mile area that includes the Financial District, Civic Center and South of Market neighborhood would have to pay a fee of $1 to $4 during rush hours.

This so-called congestion pricing for use of pubic streets has been used in some European cities for some time to reduce traffic and raise revenues for transit projects.

San Francisco, however, has not figured out when to charge, how much to charge, who should be exempt or who should get discounts.

San Francisco may charge drivers

Editor2 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Denis Cuff

Adolfo Cabral lived and worked much of his life in San Francisco until housing prices forced him a decade ago to move across the Bay to western Berkeley. He's not happy San Francisco is considering a plan to charge him — and thousands of other commuters — a fee to drive into the city's most congested downtown areas during rush hours.

"San Francisco's housing prices chased me out of town," said Cabral, who drives in a car pool to a job in the financial district. "Now, they want to tax me for driving back in. I don't like the idea of government sticking their hands in our pockets every time they need a solution to a problem caused by poor planning."

Chevron's record profit fleeting?

Editor2 — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By George Avalos

SAN RAMON — Chevron Corp. rocketed to record quarterly profits of $5.98 billion, the oil giant reported Friday, but analysts warned that the San Ramon firm's profit gusher may ebb if sky-high oil prices morph into a temporary oil bubble.

Profits for the second quarter jumped 11 percent from a year ago, Chevron said. Yet the per-share profit of $2.90 fell short of Wall Street's expectations of $3.03. Chevron's shares fell 25 cents, or 0.3 percent, to finish at $84.31.

Still, analysts were pleased about the report overall.

"These numbers were great," said Robbert Van Batenburg, head of research with Louis Capital Markets.

Richmond leaders to sit on committee distributing $10 million from Chevron

Editor2 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:26:58 -0500

By Katherine Tam

In a vote shouted down by the audience, Richmond city leaders appointed themselves to a committee that will decide how $10 million from a community benefits agreement with Chevron will be spent.

Council members Nat Bates, Ludmyrna Lopez and Harpreet Sandhu will sit on the committee. Councilman John Marquez will serve as the alternate.

Richmond leaders to sit on committee distributing $10 million from Chevron

Editor2 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Clean Energy Act makes ballot

Editor2 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It isn't the only charter amendment on the November ballot, but it's already shaping up to be the political lightning rod of this fall's election

By Janna Brancolini and Sarah Phelan

GREEN CITY The San Francisco Clean Energy Act isn't the only charter amendment on the November ballot, but it's already shaping up to be the political lightning rod of this fall's election.