U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Boom or Doom: This Environmental Disaster Is No Gold Rush

Another Fire at Chevron Refinery Today

This morning, a small secondary fire ignited near the controlled burn at the scene of Monday's Chevron Refinery, according to refinery officials. The secondary fire sparked around 11:15 a.m. near the initial fire location, however, firefighters acted quickly and extinguished it within minutes, and ... More >>

EPA Orders South Bay Metal Recycler to Stop Polluting San Francisco Bay

Perhaps not the best recyclable​The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Sims Metal Management, a company that claims to be the largest recycler of metal and electronics in the world, to stop polluting San Francisco Bay with toxic chemicals.The EPA announced today that Sims was found d ... More >>

Save the Frogs Calls for Your Signature on Herbicide Ban

kqedquestThe California Red-Legged Frog is one of our state's 16 threatened amphibian species​Last week, the US Environmental Protection Agency called for public comment on a potential ban of Atrazine, one of the most widely used herbicides in the United States. Atrazine has been banned in th ... More >>

Arc Ecology: E-Mails Between City and Lennar Aren't So Scandalous, Though 'Look Bad'

There's no covering THAT up. ​Arc Ecology's director Saul Bloom has reason to be bitter with the city. Since 2006, his environmental non-profit received hundreds of thousands of dollars in city contracts to monitor and educate the public about the environmental clean-up and redevelopment work at t ... More >>

New View for the Bayview

There's no covering THAT up. ​Arc Ecology's director Saul Bloom has reason to be bitter with the city. Since 2006, his environmental non-profit received hundreds of thousands of dollars in city contracts to monitor and educate the public about the environmental clean-up and redevelopment work at t ... More >>

San Francisco Environmentalists Sue EPA Over Clean Air Act

Sparing Polluters​It's Spare the Air Day, and here is why we should refrain from air-polluting behaviors. The San Francisco-based Sierra Club has joined WildEarth Guardians in a legal battle to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to hold more than two dozen states accountable for protec ... More >>

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Thanksgiving (Infographic)

Audrey FukumanClick to enlarge.​ This Thanksgiving, as you sit around the table with your family and attempt to dodge pointed questions about your love life and career, divert attention from yourself by spewing forth one of these fascinating Turkey Day facts. Once the topic of conversation has ... More >>

Rec and Parks chief Jared Blumenfeld dumps his boat to work on green issues

Audrey FukumanClick to enlarge.​ This Thanksgiving, as you sit around the table with your family and attempt to dodge pointed questions about your love life and career, divert attention from yourself by spewing forth one of these fascinating Turkey Day facts. Once the topic of conversation has ... More >>

EPA Honcho Jared Blumenfeld Saddened to Ditch Polluting Boat

How I miss old Jane...​Jared Blumenfeld, San Francisco's former boss of both the Department of the Environment and Rec and Parks Department, was appointed in January as EPA administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Islands. Also during the past year, he donated Jane, h ... More >>

99¢ Only Stores Fined Enough to Afford 413,626 Items

Well, this'll cost a lot more...​The 99¢ Only chain has declined to appeal a federal judge's ruling -- meaning it now faces a fine of $409,490, or enough to afford 413,626 items at its stores. The chain was on the losing end of an Environmental Protection Agency suit claiming it had sold hundreds ... More >>

Sierra Club Sues EPA For Not Enforcing Clean Air Act

Trouble in paradise?​Two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in federal court in San Francisco, asserting the EPA did not adequately enforce provisions of the Clean Air Act.The lawsuit, filed yesterday by the Sierra Club and WildEarth Guardian ... More >>

Motorcycle Noise Bill on Governor's Desk

Would the T-101 have abided by a motorcycle noise reduction bill? ​California doesn't have a budget, but it may soon have quieter choppers. A bill aimed at cutting down the din of motorcycles passed out of the state Senate yesterday. If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- who owns more than a few motorc ... More >>

Flea Spray Kills Pets, Suit Alleges

Please don't kill me​Pet owners allege that Bio Spot and Spot On tick and flea repellent sent their cats and dogs into seizures -- and,in some cases, killed them -- in a class action lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco. In some instances, the owners euthanized their pets after they suf ... More >>

Love Boat No Longer Allowed to Dump Sewage in Bay?

Less fun than a cruise ship...​The Environmental Protection Agency is scheduled to announce new regulations today that might keep you from spending quality time with human waste. New rules will keep vessels of 300 tons or more from discharging sewage within three miles of California's shore. Forci ... More >>

Baylinks: Millionaire Defaults, Mosh Pits, & Dog Balls

​Guess who defaults on their home loans the most in the Bay Area? Hint: It's not poor people. [On The Block]What kind of music are people listening to on Muni? Here's your playlist. [Muni Diaries]"If there's one thing that really chaps my ass, it's when I see a cat or dog with big ol' dangly ba ... More >>

Baylinks: Treasure Island, 7-Eleven, & Sutro Baths

Bludgeoner86​Christie's auctions off Sutro Baths lithograph for a cool $27K. [CurbedSF]The costs of protecting Treasure Island. [Public Press]Mission residents freaking out about possible 7-Eleven. [Uptown Almanac]

Baylinks: Job Possibilities, BBQ, & City Love

flickr/camarografoWhat's not to love?​Seven reasons to love where you live. [SFist]Wanna cook BBQ for a living? [Haighteration]Third Street installment of Sunday streets was sunny, full of bikes. [EPA and Around the Bay]Curbed SF is hiring a new editor. [Curbed SF]

Baylinks: BMX Bikes, Birdman, & Drunk Smurfs

​McLaren park may become a haven for BMX bikers. [Uptown Almanac]Hayes Valley Farm is having a film night. [Haighteration]Mysterious birdman of Civic Center feeds, helps pigeons. [EPA and Around the Bay]Shots of the Columbarium, San Francisco's prettiest place to be dead. [Richmond SF]You know it' ... More >>

Baylinks: Bay to Breakers, Muni Fail, & City Hall Rallies

TIm WagnerThe contestants and the booze, will be running.​Bay to breakers to provide alternative parking for folks who live near the race/binge-drinking route. But you gotta act fast. [SF Citizen]Anti-Sit/Lie rally met with barriers at City Hall this morning. [City Insider]Neither green paint nor ... More >>

Baylinks: Tonga Room, Bus Parties, & Bleeding Eyes

We like, we like to party.​When your bus gets delayed you can pout or you can throw a party. [Muni Diaries]Are you between the ages of 12 and 23? Do you love civic duty? Have we got the non-paying gig for you. [Richmond District]Did somebody bomb Duboce Park? [haighteration]Site hawking San Franci ... More >>

Big Rig Drivers Smoked in Quest to Loosen State Emission Standards

But don't Keep On Emittin' ... ​In a case involving a convoy of lawyers, federal judges ruled against a pair of truckers' organizations claiming the state of California's emissions standards were rigged.  Readers may be surprised to learn that the federal Clean Air Act gives California -- and ... More >>

Sewage Sludge Protesters Sling Mud at Chez Panisse

Comin' to Chez Panisse, baby! ​The good folks who earlier this month gallivanted into Mayor Gavin Newsom's office outfitted in HazMat suits and brandishing jars of compost will be doling out the charm again tomorrow -- at Chez Panisse. The Organic Consumers Association, via a not overheated at all ... More >>

Sewage Sludge Protestors Sling Mud at Chez Panisse

superhappyfoodie/FlickrUnfair target?​The good folks who earlier this month gallivanted into Mayor Gavin Newsom's office outfitted in HazMat suits and brandishing jars of compost will be doling out the charm again tomorrow ― at Chez Panisse. The Organic Consumers Association, via a not overh ... More >>

Baylinks: Gavin's Hair Double, Unexplained Booms, & Tiny Kitchens

Yep, that's what it looked like.​Gavin's hair spotted on a Southwest flight. [Sexpigeon]What's up with the big boom on the Embarcadero? [SFist]Street fashion: from weddings to stripey socks. [EPA and Around the Bay]And you thought your kitchen was pathetic. Check out some San Francisco's worst kit ... More >>

Baylinks: Maker Faire, Bay Bridge, & Dolores Park

Attention pyromaniacs and tech wizards: Maker Faire 2010 is looking for entrants! [Laughing Squid]Via Flickr by Jurvetson​Bay Bridge steel arrives on enormous boat. [Streetsblog]Shots of Tenderloin street art. [EPA and Around the Bay]It's raining now, but Dolores Park is getting spiffy for Summer. ... More >>

Baylinks: Rain, Ken Garcia, & Pobrecito

Your weekend weather forecast.​Rain, rain, rain. [SF Sewers Blog]Oh, wow. This is just...creepy. Ken Garcia has an admirer. [SFist]Is your Muni line safe from cuts? Maybe not! [Streetsblog]"Directly across the street from the Prop. 8 trial." [The Tens]Lawyer weighs in on anti-gay marriage groups c ... More >>

Bay Links: Lights, Angels, & Swing Dancers

​New strand of lights for city Christmas tree ring in at $13,500. [City Insider]An awesome image of an angel carved from a tree stump at a local home. [Spots Unkown]Temporary expanded pedestrian walk-way comes to foot-traffic heavy Union Square area. [Streetsblog]Shots of a rainy parade for Our La ... More >>

Bay Links: Brrrr, Target, & AIDS Tests

It's as cold as ice. Where the heat at?​It is fuh-reezing outside. Here's how to negotiate heat issues with the landlord. [SF Appeal]So, we get a Target...for three days. [Curbed]Shots from a nighttime celebration for the new bike lanes. [SF Citizen]The EPA's new western states regional director, ... More >>

Update -- S.F. Pledges $250,000 to Settle Diesel Spill Lawsuit

​San Francisco has agreed to pay $250,000 to settle an EPA lawsuit demanding that the city  prevent a repeat of a 2005 Muni diesel fuel spill.SF Weekly obtained a copy of the consent decree between San Francisco and U.S. officials just after posting an item about an Oct. 27 EPA lawsuit chargi ... More >>

EPA Spanks Lennar With Fines For Dust (But In Arizona, Not Hunters Point)

Oops, they did it again. Lennar, the company that drew activist hellfire for failing to control dust in Bayview during the early stages of its construction at the Hunters Point Shipyard, is now facing fines for similar dust violations in Arizona. The company will have to pay the Environmental Prot ... More >>

Bay Links: Single Ladies, Open Studios & Your Genes

via On the BlockHow much would you pay for this?​Some of the most uninspiring "house porn" ever produced. [On the Block]San Franciscans are terrified of single women, love Clist Missed Connections. [SFAppeal] Is public transit accessible affordable housing in jeopardy? [Streetsblog]Faces of last w ... More >>

Bay Links: Futuristic Architecture, Bacon & Bluegrass

IwamotoScott​Bay Area firm designs futuristic buildings for NYC. [Curbed SF]"Condescending e-mails, bizarre letters and abusive voice-mail messages..." The life of a San Francisco supervisor aide. [Sweet Melissa]Headed to the Disney Museum? Don't bring the camera. [BoingBoing]Is an unhealthy relat ... More >>

Suit Alleges Environmental Protection Agency Not Doing Enough Environmental Protecting

Smoke 'em if you got 'em...It was the Roman satirist Juvenal who pondered quis custodiet ipsos custodes? -- Who watches the watchmen? If we gave him the answer "The WildEarth Guardians" we don't think it'd satisfy his query (and, honestly, the man's been dead 1,800 years) -- but it wouldn't be wrong ... More >>

EPA Busts Contractor For Keeping Mum On Lead-Based Paint At Castro District Dwelling

The gold is on City Hall's dome -- and the lead is apparently on Ord StreetAnyone who sees a red door and feels a compulsion to paint it black should heed the fate of South San Francisco's Fine Custom Painting, Inc. The painting contractor was this week fined $10,000 by the Environmental Protection ... More >>

Joe DiMaggio's Home City Honored by EPA -- and It's Not San Francisco

...Oozing with leadTo say that San Francisco is a city that treasures being in the vanguard of environmentally responsible behavior (or, skeptics might say, whatever will get people talking about how environmentally responsible we are) is an understatement.So it's interesting that today -- with an e ... More >>

Groups Suing EPA Over Chemicals Used Widely in CA

...Oozing with leadTo say that San Francisco is a city that treasures being in the vanguard of environmentally responsible behavior (or, skeptics might say, whatever will get people talking about how environmentally responsible we are) is an understatement.So it's interesting that today -- with an e ... More >>

Marin Sewer Pipes Serve SF Bay a Shit Sunday with Dead Birds on Top

...Oozing with leadTo say that San Francisco is a city that treasures being in the vanguard of environmentally responsible behavior (or, skeptics might say, whatever will get people talking about how environmentally responsible we are) is an understatement.So it's interesting that today -- with an e ... More >>

Pollution Absolution

A company is dumping questionable materials into the ocean so that you can buy forgiveness in the form of carbon credits

What Lies Beneath

Brain and stomach cancer. Asthma and bronchitis. Miscarriages and stillbirths. All are health problems suffered by residents of Midway Village. Why won’t authorities close it down?

Bioscience Warfare

UC professor Tyrone Hayes found that a highly profitable weed killer causes sexual abnormalities in frogs. Then he found out how nasty a biotech multinational can be.

Massing Gas

San Francisco asks the Navy to investigate potentially dangerous methane concentrations at Hunters Point Shipyard

Fallout

Newly released documents indicate the Navy dumped far more nuclear waste than it's ever acknowledged in a major commercial fishery just 30 miles west of San Francisco. Why won't the government even study the Farallon Islands Nuclear Waste Site?

Chlorine, Benzene, Vinyl Chloride, Trichloroethylene, Beryllium, Nickel, PCBs ...

Even if radioactivity were ignored, Hunters Point Shipyard would be one of the planet's most polluted properties

Fallout

How nuclear researchers handled -- and grossly mishandled -- the Cold War's most dangerous radioactive substances at a top-secret lab inside the Hunters Point Shipyard. The same shipyard the city wants to remake as San Francisco's newest neighborhood.

Shaky Ground

Environmental activists adopt a new strategy -- playing the race card

Political Economy

How a Willie Brown real estate venture snagged tens of millions of dollars in government subsidies and opened the way for Democratic heavyweight Angelo Tsakopoulo to make even more money

Midway to Nowhere

The residents of Daly City's Midway Village wonder if their environmental concerns will ever be addressed

Dirty Dealings at the Dock

San Francisco is planning to take title to the decommissioned Hunters Point Naval Shipyard before the military completes an environmental cleanup. The move could cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars -- or more.

The Sky's the Limit

How buying and selling pollutants could help clean up the Bay Area's air