Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Trump administration tries to further dissolve California's clean car rules

 

at 3/12/26 3:44pm

A new lawsuit targets California's ability to set its own car emissions standards, which 17 other states follow.

— H5N1 bird flu spreads to sea otters and sea lions along San Mateo coast, wildlife experts say

 

at 3/12/26 2:20pm

After H5N1 bird flu was detected in elephant seals gathered at Ano Nuevo State Park, other marine mammals have also succumbed, including a sea otter and sea lion. So far, only animals in San Mateo County have been affected.

— Contributor: Don't let lobbyists win a liability shield for Big Oil

 

at 3/12/26 4:01am

Governments are fighting to hold oil giants like Exxon Mobil accountable for their well-documented efforts to deceive the public about climate change.

— Why hundreds of people in L.A. are strapping cameras on their bodies to do chores

 

at 3/12/26 4:00am

AI and robotics companies need data on movements in the physical world. Some are paying gig workers to record themselves cooking dinner and doing laundry.

— Nearly 40% of California produce contains PFAS pesticides, report finds

 

at 3/11/26 8:00am

Using state data, an environmental group found PFAS residue on more than 40 different kinds of fruits and vegetables grown in California. The state has approved 53 PFAS pesticide ingredients, while other states, such as Maine, are throttling back.

— Solar panel reimbursements to remain low under California appeals court ruling

 

at 3/11/26 4:00am

California homeowners got lower payments for their solar under a 2022 regulatory decision. An appeals court just upheld that. Environmental groups may appeal to the state Supreme Court.

— No superbloom, but you can catch a spectacular show of California's desert wildflowers

 

at 3/10/26 6:25pm

Death Valley National Park is experiencing its best wildflower bloom in a decade, with dormant seeds awakened by recent rainfall and mild winter temperatures.

— Beyond Meat drops 'Meat' from name

 

at 3/10/26 4:00am

Beyond Meat is changing its brand to just Beyond.

— What soaring gas prices mean for California's EV market

 

at 3/10/26 4:00am

As the war in Iran drives up the price of oil and gas, more U.S. consumers could turn toward electric vehicles as a money-saving option.

— Nearly 60 gigawatts of U.S. clean power stalled, trade group finds

 

at 3/9/26 7:37pm

Developers of clean energy projects are seeing an average delay of 19 months over issues such as long interconnection times, supply constraints and regulatory barriers.

— Earth is warming faster than previously estimated, new study shows

 

at 3/8/26 6:14pm

Researchers found the first statistically significant evidence that global warming is accelerating. It's been topic of intense scientific inquiry for years.

— Gas prices soaring, Trump administration sets stage to OK controversial offshore oil plan

 

at 3/7/26 4:00am

The Defense Production Act provides the president broad authorities to influence domestic industry in the interest of national defense or emergencies.

— Sea levels are already higher than we thought, according to new calculations

 

at 3/6/26 5:32pm

A new study found that many of our predictions on sea-level rise have been predicated on inaccurate starting numbers. In many places, especially Southeast Asia and the Pacific, it's significantly worse than we thought.

— California youths plead with appeals court to hear how climate change affects their lives

 

at 3/6/26 1:46pm

In an appeal, lawyers for 18 California youths argued that regulators discount children's future health when weighing environmental policies.

— After uproar, Orange County stops spraying herbicide in two creeks

 

at 3/6/26 4:00am

After residents launched a social media campaign demanding Orange County stop spraying herbicide in creeks, officials said they will halt the practice in two waterways.

— The neuro disease rat lungworm has reached California

 

at 3/6/26 4:00am

A neurological disease spread by rats and other animals may have become established in San Diego County.

— Satellite photos show California's sudden snowpack meltdown: Now you see it, now you don't

 

at 3/5/26 5:14pm

Satellite images show the Sierra Nevada before and after a major heat wave melted significant portions of California's snow.

— Owners of fire-destroyed Palisades mobile home park seek to displace residents for development deal

 

at 3/5/26 12:03pm

An offering memorandum described the destroyed mobile home park as a "blank canvas for redevelopment"; however, city officials reiterated they intend to let fire survivors return and rebuild.

— This condor couple may be tending to first egg in Northern California in a century

 

at 3/5/26 11:03am

Two condors in far northwestern California appear to be caring for a recently laid egg, a historic moment in an effort to bring the massive raptors back to the Yurok Tribe's historic homeland.

— Solar energy for renters has taken off in 10 states. Not in California

 

at 3/5/26 4:00am

California's new community solar program is years delayed and just a handful of projects have launched in the meantime.

— California, Arizona and Nevada press Trump administration to rethink Colorado River water cuts

 

at 3/4/26 4:31pm

California and other downstream states are criticizing the Trump administration's options for dealing with the Colorado River crisis.

— Top tech companies sign Trump's pledge to provide their own power for AI data centers

 

at 3/4/26 3:28pm

The pledge signed by Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, Oracle and OpenAI does not include requirements for how companies will source the energy.

— Head of L.A.'s Department of Water and Power resigns

 

at 3/4/26 1:05pm

The head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is stepping down to become chief executive of an electric company in her native Puerto Rico.

— How a California desalination plant could ease water shortages on the Colorado River

 

at 3/3/26 11:07am

Relying on desalination, the San Diego County Water Authority will consider transferring water to cities in Arizona and Nevada that soon will face cuts in Colorado River water.

— How two Big Bear eagles became social media's hottest love story

 

at 3/3/26 4:00am

After ravens destroyed their first clutch, eagle power couple Jackie and Shadow laid new eggs — sending their vast fanbase into celebration. How did they rise to internet stardom?

— Can fire-resistant homes be sexy? 'You be the judge,' says this Palisades architect

 

at 3/2/26 10:26am

A new home built in Pacific Palisades is designed for fire resistance without sacrificing architectural beauty.

— California wants millions of heat pumps. High power bills might get in the way

 

at 3/1/26 3:11pm

California's residential electricity prices are among the highest in the country. That makes heat pumps a tough sell to many Californians.

— Fear that herbicides are poisoning Orange County creeks blows up on social media

 

at 3/1/26 4:00am

A group of residents is demanding answers from Orange County officials about herbicide spraying in waterways.

— Little snow in California and the West as a warm winter nears end

 

at 2/27/26 5:18pm

California's snowpack remains much smaller than average after months of extremely warm conditions across the West.

As of 3/12/26 7:01pm. Last new 3/12/26 6:30pm.