At UC Berkeley, scientists studying how to feed our growing need for energy have turned to a surprising source. Researchers there are trying to produce the next generation of green power by mimicking something every weekend gardener works to clean up.

At UC Berkeley, scientists studying how to feed our growing need for energy have turned to a surprising source. Researchers there are trying to produce the next generation of green power by mimicking something every weekend gardener works to clean up.

Last year, a majority of California voters approved a multi-billion dollar high speed rail project. Now comes the hard part: squeezing a 220mph train system into California's densely populated cities. Some communities that voted in favor of the train now say they don't want it rolling through their neighborhoods. We look at the stretch between San Francisco and San Jose, and at how the train might change the local landscape.

Last year, a majority of California voters approved a multi-billion dollar high speed rail project. Now comes the hard part: squeezing a 220mph train system into California's densely populated cities. Some communities that voted in favor of the train now say they don't want it rolling through their neighborhoods. We look at the stretch between San Francisco and San Jose, and at how the train might change the local landscape.

Solar plants get paid for the electricity they create, so why not homeowners with rooftop PV panels? On January 1, California joins the ranks of states that pay homeowners for the excess solar electricity they generate. The new laws -- which were bitterly protested by many private utilities -- are expected to give a major boost to the state's solar power industry. As homes become mini power plants, how is the nature of our state's power supply changing?

Solar plants get paid for the electricity they create, so why not homeowners with rooftop PV panels? On January 1, California joins the ranks of states that pay homeowners for the excess solar electricity they generate. The new laws -- which were bitterly protested by many private utilities -- are expected to give a major boost to the state's solar power industry. As homes become mini power plants, how is the nature of our state's power supply changing?

It may seem that California's parks dodged a bullet recently when the governor announced that all of them will remain open. But the reality is that state parks still have to cut $14 million in spending this year. That likely means rolling closures, maintenance cuts and possibly, layoffs. Hoping to solve a chronic funding problem, environmentalists are considering a ballot proposal that would place a fee on car registrations to help fund parks.

It may seem that California's parks dodged a bullet recently when the governor announced that all of them will remain open. But the reality is that state parks still have to cut $14 million in spending this year. That likely means rolling closures, maintenance cuts and possibly, layoffs. Hoping to solve a chronic funding problem, environmentalists are considering a ballot proposal that would place a fee on car registrations to help fund parks.

Earlier this month, environmental lawyers filed a petition with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. They're asking for no-spray buffer zones around schools, hospitals and child care centers where pesticide spraying would be banned, to better protect children from pesticide drift. Part of their evidence comes from rural residents who are monitoring the air in their neighborhoods.

Earlier this month, environmental lawyers filed a petition with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. They're asking for no-spray buffer zones around schools, hospitals and child care centers where pesticide spraying would be banned, to better protect children from pesticide drift. Part of their evidence comes from rural residents who are monitoring the air in their neighborhoods.