KPCC News: Science/Technology Podcast
KPCC's award-winning news team brings you features and interviews focusing on science and technology in Southern California. KPCC's local reporting can be heard during Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and throughout the day, at 89.3 FM. Visit KPCC online at www.kpcc.org. Note: These stories are part of KPCC's ongoing news coverage. Topic-based stories will appear in this podcast as they are broadcast on-air. New stories may appear daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, not necessarily on a predictable schedule.
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NASA moon crash successful
NASA scientists, and amateur astronomers across the world, watched early this morning as two spacecraft crashed into the moon. A two-ton empty rocket hull smacked into the South Pole at 4:30 this morning, followed by a probe, with cameras and instruments, a few minutes later. Jeremy Amarant is t …
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Worries about chemicals, and the tests for them, in Carson
Some people in Carson say they're alarmed about chemicals left behind after Shell Oil shut down an oil reservoir in their neighborhood. KPCC's Molly Peterson says the same people are skeptical about chemical testing on their property.
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Economists say deep cuts to greenhouse gas won't mean deep cuts to economy
Debate about global warming policy is simmering in Congress as the House and Senate consider climate bills backed by California lawmakers. The question is whether a big effort to move away from energy that produces “greenhouse gases” will wreck the economy. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says there’s a new …
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Team California competes in national solar decathlon
This week in Washington, D.C., 20 teams of college students will build solar-powered houses on the national mall, and will compete to determine which dwelling uses the least energy. One of those teams comes from California. KPCC's Molly Peterson has more about its project.
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4th annual AltCar Expo showcases alternative rides
The 4th annual AltCar Expo started today at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. KPCC’s Brian Watt stopped by to survey everything that runs on anything…but oil.
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Nahai leaves LA DWP for Clinton Climate Initiative
The chief of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has resigned. David Nahai leaves as the utility struggles to address a rash of water main breaks and seeks to meet the LA mayor’s renewable energy goals.
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Politicians, environmentalists hail ports' one-year-old Clean Trucks program
Federal environmental officials say millions of stimulus dollars will go to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to help cut diesel emissions from moving cargo. One year ago the harbor complex began an ambitious Clean Trucks program aimed at reducing air pollution. KPCC's Molly Peterson has an up …
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Attacking climate policy from the bottom up
A global climate summit sponsored by California and other U-S states continues today in Los Angeles. KPCC's Molly Peterson says the meeting spotlights the role regional policymakers play in climate policies.
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LA Sheriff’s Department tests drug drop-off program
You can now take your unwanted drugs, both legal and illegal, to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station in the South Bay. That’s where the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is testing out a drug drop-off program. KPCC’s Susan Valot says if it works, the program could spread countywide.
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Federal judge upholds LA billboard restrictions
The city of L.A.’s ban on so-called supergraphics – those multi-story ads that wrap around buildings – is staying in place for now. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says a federal judge in Los Angeles shot down an advertising company’s challenge to the restrictions.
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LA Harbor Commission to vote on renewal plan for Port of LA
San Pedro could be in for an infusion of cash and new construction. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says that’ll depend on the result of an L.A. Harbor Commission vote. The meeting’s scheduled for 6 o’clock Tuesday evening in the Liberty Hill Plaza building, Harbor Boulevard, and Fifth streets in San Pedro.
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Scientists study Station Fire impact
Near Los Angeles County foothill cities, a team of federal scientists is studying environmental impacts from the Station Fire. Top officials in the Angeles National Forest and local authorities will use that team's work to decide how to protect surrounding areas from flooding this winter. KPCC's Mol …
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City Council wants more answers on water main breaks
L.A. Department of Water and Power officials don’t have many answers yet about the recent string of water main breaks. They told the L.A. City Council Wednesday they’re studying the problem. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad says that that didn’t go over well with one councilmember.
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Lawmakers' renewable portfolio standard gets the bounce
One of the bills Governor Schwarzenegger didn’t sign this week was a new mandate for California utilities to use renewable power. KPCC's Molly Peterson has the story.
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Solar net metering pleases trade groups, greens, not utilities
If you’ve got solar panels on your rooftop, a new California law will pay you for the energy those panels add to the grid. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.
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Fire-charred parts of San Bernardino County on mudslide alert
Rain is also expected over the San Bernardino Mountains. Recent wildfires there scorched about 10,000 acres of forest land. Crews contained one of those fires just a few days ago. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas says there hasn’t been much time to prepare for possible mudslides.
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Southern Californians go shark tagging
On October 15th, a group of intrepid undersea explorers from Southern California will travel to the remote coastal village of Bahia de Los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez. There they will try to tag whale sharks. It's part of a project organized by Woodland Hills based Iemanya Oceanica to preserve thes …
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Foothill communities brace for mudflow from October storm
The National Weather Service says the local foothills and mountains could get up to four inches of rain from the storm that’s moving in Tuesday. That’s trouble for foothill and canyon neighborhoods below the Station Fire burn area, where the rain plus a landscape with vegetation burned away could m …
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California, Interior Dept. agree to fast track renewable energy
A new agreement between California and the U.S. Department of the Interior Monday will speed up plans for renewable energy projects in the state. KPCC’s Brian Watt reports.
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LA residents testing new water conservation program
Los Angeles residents are harvesting rainwater from their home rooftops as Southern California reels from a fourth year of drought. It's part of a new effort by the city of Los Angeles. KPCC's Molly Peterson looks at how some Angelenos are making it work.
KPCC News: Science/Technology Podcast
