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?
Host: Andrea Kissack
Reporters:
• Amy Standen

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?
Host: Andrea Kissack
Reporters:
• Amy Standen

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.
Host: Andrea Kissack
More info:
- Read Andrea Kissack's reporter's notes and more

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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.
Host: Andrea Kissack
More info:
- Read Andrea Kissack's reporter's notes and more

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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.
Host: Andrea Kissack
Reporters:
- Sasha Khokha

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