East County Magazine
THE ENERGY THAT SAN DIEGO DRINKS
Printer-friendly version March 16 program to explore link between water use and demand By Anne Tolch March 9, 2010 (San Diego) — When we turn on our faucets we use not only water, but all the electricity and natural gas needed to transport, heat, and treat both water and the wastewater. With local supplies insufficient to meet demand,
FILNER COSPONSORS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENERGY TRAINING ACT
Printer-friendly version March 6, 2010 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner is among 111 cosponsors of the Community College Energy Training Act (H.R. 3731), legislation that will support community colleges as they train a new generation of technicians and other workers in America’s renewable energy industry. “To end our dependence on fossil fuels, we need to start preparing
COURT RULES COUNTY VIOLATED LAW BY EXEMPTING VEGETATION CLEARING PLAN IN BACK COUNTRY FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS
Printer-friendly version County argues timely removal of dead trees is needed to prevent devastating wildfires; opponents say plan destroys wildlife habitat with no public review March 2, 2010 (San Diego) – A Superior Court judge last week issued a preliminary ruling in favor of the California Chaparral Institute, indicating the County of San Diego violated state law by
FOR THE BIRDS? PROPOSED BAN ON LEAD SHOT IN STATE WILDLIFRE AREAS DRAWS CRITICISM & PRAISE
Printer-friendly version SENATOR HOLLINGSWORTH OPPOSES PLAN February 28, 2010 (Sacramento) –Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Ventura) has introduced a bill to ban use of lead shot by hunters of pheasant, quail, and other game birds in California wildlife areas. The measure is modeled after a federal ban enacted in 1991, which prohibits lead shot in hunting of ducks and other waterfowl. “It has
NEW CLEAN ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES: CCSE HOLDS WORKSHOPS ON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
Printer-friendly version February 20, 2010 (San Diego ) – “San Diegans can learn about a new fuel cell technology for home and business applications that supplies clean base and load power 24/7, while reducing grid dependence and lowering carbon dioxide emissions, “ says Chuck Colgan, public relations representative for the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE). CCSE is hosting
UTILITY-BACKED BALLOT INITIATIVE DRAWS CRITICISM FROM LOCAL LEADERS
Printer-friendly version Should cities and counties be barred from starting up public power entitities to compete against utility giants such as SDG&E–and offer clean energy options to residents? Voters to decide. February 17, 2010 (San Diego) – A June ballot initiative seeks to change California’s constitution to make it harder for cities and counties to give residents alternatives to
EDITORIAL: MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH BIODIESEL
Printer-friendly version "The year in which we were supposed to send U.S. and Russian astronauts to Jupiter began with two death blows to the biodiesel industry."–Tyson Gustus, broken-hearted Jezebel admirer/owner By Tyson Gustus I love my car. I even named her. Jezebel. Jezebel and I go back a long time. (In today’s disposable society, seven years is a
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE WIND FARM?
Printer-friendly version GONE WITH THE WIND: 25 wind turbines damaged; witness saw explosive blue light before Campo-area wind farm went dark “I saw a huge flash of blue out on the side of the hill where the windmills were. It started in the middle and spread out in all directions. It lit up the whole hillside the white-out of a snowstorm."–Ken Daubach,
“NIFTY FIFTY” LIST TAKES GUESSWORK OUT OF DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPING
Printer-friendly version San Diego, CA (Feb. 9, 2010)—A full-color plant list with photos, called the Nifty-50: Plants for Water Smart Landscapes, is now available to the public through the Water Conservation Garden and participating nurseries. The list narrows the diverse selection of plants that thrive in San Diego’s semiarid climate to 50 choices, each of which made the list
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS SEEKS NEW BOARD MEMBERS FROM EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version February 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The League of Conservation Voters’ San Diego chapter seeks new board members from the East County area. “Our goal is electing and monitoring public officials relative to their positions on environmental issues,” says Nikki Symington, board member of the nonpartisan organization. “We need more representation from the East
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Supervisors greenlight pilot program for El Capitan Reservoir, promising expanded access
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve pilot program for El Capitan Reservoir. Photo courtesy Friends of San Diego Lakes via Instagram By Karen Pearlman Oct. 1, 2025 (San Diego County) — In a move hailed by East County residents and recreation advocates, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to

Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Return to Wild
Printer-friendly version San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program helps young big cats reclaim their place in nature Source: San Diego Humane Society September 29, 2025 (Ramona) — Two mountain lion cubs who arrived at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center as orphans in March have been returned to the wild. The young carnivores were released into suitable habitat

Clean swimming: San Vicente Reservoir gets new floating restroom
Printer-friendly versionThe floating restroom at San Vicente Reservoir. (Photo courtesy of the city of San Diego) By JW August, Times of San Diego Sept. 13, 2025 (Lakeside) — Good news for anyone who uses San Vicente Reservoir to fish, swim or boat — the 1,600-acre reservoir has a new floating bathroom. The previous floating john is past

Cottonwood sand mine in Rancho San Diego rejected by Board of Supervisors
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Karen Pearlman contributed to this report Sept. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine project in Rancho San Diego was rejected unanimously Wednesday by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In a packed board room, the supervisors heard from more than 100 speakers in a span of over two hours,

City of La Mesa gifting trees, hosting education series
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Sept. 10, 2025 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is hoping more trees will sprout up after it hosts a four-event educations series from September through November. As part of the series, thanks to partner Tree San Diego, 100 free trees will be distributed to La Mesa residents. La Mesa is partnering with Tree

Proposed Lakeside Sand Mine Owner Sues City of San Diego for Damages From Water Release at El Capitan Dam
Printer-friendly version 91-year-old dam is too dangerous for city to keep reservoir filled, leading to massive water waste and now, damage claims downstream Updated Sept. 5, 2025 with additional seismic risk details. By Karen Pearlman Sept. 1, 2025 (Lakeside) – A lawsuit against the city of San Diego is highlighting safety and management concerns at the El

Rollback of “Roadless Rule” to allow logging and road construction in National Forests draws opposition from tribes and ecologists
Printer-friendly version Trump administration opens 21-day public comment period Aug. 29-Sept. 19 By Miriam Raftery Photo: Cedar Creek Falls, one of the most scenic hiking destinations in San Diego’s East County, is in a roadless portion of Cleveland National Forest. August 29, 2025 (San Diego) — The Trump administration announced it is seeking public comment on its proposal to rescind the

Toxic Algae Bloom at Mission Trails Dam Site
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego River Park Foundation August 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Water samples collected last week at Old Mission Dam in Mission Trails Regional Park have tested positive for a cyanotoxin that can be harmful to people and pets. The San Diego River Foundation has posted caution signs, in cooperation with the California Water Boards San Diego Region

California Supreme Court hands victory to rooftop solar panel owners
Printer-friendly versionBy Malena Carollo, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: rooftop solar panels on a home in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, on Feb. 18, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters August 7, 2025 (Oakland) – The California Supreme Court today sided with environmental groups in a case seen as pivotal for the

County closes three parks in August to protect hikers from heat
Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: El Capitan County Preserve August 1, 2025 (Lakeside) – As summer temperatures rise, the County of San Diego has closed three parks that it shuts down every year for the month of August to protect residents during what is often the hottest time of the year. Parks officials announced
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.