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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A chat with NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez
KPCC's Steve Julian chatted with NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez about his experience on the two-week Space Shuttle Discovery mission, what it was like to live in Stockton California, and who his role models were growing up.
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Web site fertilizes shared gardens in Southern California
Urban gardeners in the Southland see opportunity in every median strip and patch of dirt. These days they have to; there’s a waiting list for community garden space in Los Angeles County. A business owner in the city of Vernon has seeded new planting partnerships with the L.A. Community Garden Co …
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More questions flow after more LA water pipes burst
Los Angeles utility officials have investigated one water main break after another in the last couple of weeks. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad says that as more water escapes from underground pipes, more people wonder what’s going on.
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Urban farmers getting rooftop farming off the ground
Interest in urban farming is growing even faster than late summer corn. Throughout Los Angeles County, community gardens have sprouted by the thousands, and there’s a shortage of room for newcomers. KPCC's Molly Peterson found would-be gardeners with creative solutions for landing patches of tillabl …
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Schwarzenegger signs order raising RPS, renewable energy standards
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed an executive order that sets the highest standard in the country for renewable energy in the state's power mix. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has the story.
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RPS: Will a Schwarzenegger order work as well as law?
Governor Schwarzenegger plans to announce aggressive new standards for renewable energy. Legislators, environmentalists, and energy producers say they share the governor’s goals. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports some don’t share his views about accomplishing them.
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More renovations at MacArthur Park
The renovation of MacArthur Park is moving forward. Hundreds of families turned out this weekend for the official opening of a new recreation area in the park. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad tells us more.
KPCC News: Science/Technology Podcast
