Bay Area celebrates 20th annual Bike to Work Day
Tens of thousands of commuters donned helmets and ditched cars Thursday to commute by bike for the 20th annual Bay Area Bike to Work Day.
Environment
Proposed water rate hike could cost East Palo Alto customers 36 percent more
East Palo Alto water users may be required to pay, on average, 36 percent more for water in fiscal year 2014-2015 due to a proposed increase in wholesale water rates. A public hearing for the proposal is June 17.
When it comes to climate change, not all forests are created equal
Nutrient-rich forests are more effective at taking carbon out of the atmosphere and keeping it locked away, which may have subtle yet important implications for climate change.
SPECIAL REPORT: On Silicon Valley’s coast, cows unite ranchers and open space groups
“Cattle Drive”: A multimedia report which explores the ways agriculture and open space groups are working together to keep the farming and ranching industries viable on Silicon Valley’s coast.
Sacred and scarce: An exploration of the Bay Area’s tap water
Off Interstate 280, the Pulgas Water Temple serves as a reminder of the Herculean scale of the Hetch Hetchy System that started bringing a reliable water supply to the Bay Area more than 80 years ago.
A closer look at solar industry giants SunPower and SolarCity
Movers and shakers in solar are reestablishing their presence in an industry that’s seen some turmoil in recent years. Our animated video overviews San Jose-based SunPower and San Mateo-based SolarCity.
Mountain View bids farewell to Styrofoam containers
First went plastic bags. Now, California cities are increasingly banning that constant companion to hot lunches and coffee: polystyrene, a type of plastic better known by its household name Styrofoam.
New tech helps some farmers save water, but bigger concerns still loom
Traditionally, Napa winemakers monitored vines the old-fashioned way: going into the fields and checking on them once a week. Nowadays, they might get updates via a text message on a smartphone.
Solar leases forge domestic trend, but demand varies
Solar companies, like San Jose, Calif.-based SunPower Corp., are tapping into new consumer markets by offering creative financing options that allow customers to lease solar panel systems for their homes.