Gas leaks contaminate Santa Monica's drinking water supply resulting in a law suit between the City of Santa Monica and 7 oil companies.
Seven major oil companies are being sued by the city of Santa Monica for having leaky gas storage tanks and pipelines which have caused methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTPE, to seap into the city's drinking water supply. The resulting contamination has forced the previously water-sufficient city to have to buy water from outside sources. The city is still researching the best way to restore the wells to working order. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates clean-up will cost around $200 million. This suit is in conjunction with an order made three months ago by the EPA forcing 13 oil companies to pay for the cost of the replacement water.
Thanks to Laura Krafft
FULL STORY: Santa Monica Sues 7 Oil Firms Over Tainted Water Wells
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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