California

Microsoft Adds to the Tech Industry's Construction Schedule in the Silicon Valley
Microsoft is the latest tech industry titan to announce a major construction project in the Silicon Valley.

House Bill Would Streamline Construction of New Dams and Reservoirs
House Republicans from Washington are hoping to cut red tape for the development of surface storage facilities as the American West grapples with intensifying droughts.

Report: Suburban Construction Will Dominate the Office Market in 2018
Despite reports that the office market is shifting to the center city, the suburbs will dominate the office market in 2018, according to analysis from Yardi Systems.

Los Angeles Could Streamline Temporary Shelters, Permanent Supportive Housing
Los Angeles is exploring multiple angles for sheltering the 34,000 homeless living in the city. Urbanize LA takes a look at two of the city's most recent legislative efforts to develop more supportive housing.

San Francisco Considers Citywide Demand-Based Parking
San Francisco could become the first U.S. city to use demand-based parking rates citywide.
Greener Gasoline to Come from Solar-Powered Oil Wells in California
Crude oil from Kern County's Belridge field will soon have a much lower life cycle carbon intensity thanks to new solar technology used to extract hard-to-get oil. The renewal of California's carbon cap-and-trade market made it possible.

More of California's Central Valley Is Sinking
Over taxed groundwater supplies are causing the ground to sink in the Central Valley. Subsidence has been identified in a new location, farther south than previous incidents.

Facebook to Expand to the East Bay
The Bay Area's cup runneth over.
The High Cost of Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging
There's nothing like the convenience of charging one's electric vehicle at home, assuming you have a garage, driveway, or your apartment building has a charger. California cities and utilities are working to increase EV infrastructure on all fronts.

Google's Second Headquarters and the Future of San Jose
Amazon isn't the only tech giant building a second headquarters. Google's new offices could change the way companies interact with cities for the better, if they want to.

Caltrain Electrification Can't Come Soon Enough for Neighbors
Transit adjacent developments have their downsides when the transit is a diesel-powered commuter train, and the location is a stub-end terminal. Case in point: San Francisco's Mission Bay.

Southern California Air Quality Paradox: Air Quality Worsens While Emissions Drop
Ozone pollution is worsening in five counties in Southern California, and the Air Quality Management District doesn't know why.

With a 710 Freeway Extension Unlikely, Cities Propose Alternatives
After withdrawing support for a controversial extension of the 710 Freeway, Los Angeles Metro is asking cities for local road improvements to improve traffic flow in its stead.

A Proposal to Plan Regionally in the Silicon Valley
Could development fights in the home of the biggest tech companies be avoided if cities just talked to each other?

When Whites Return to the Black Neighborhoods They Fled
Los Angeles Times op-ed writer Erin Aubry Kaplan shares her feelings upon seeing whites return to Inglewood, California half a century after they fled. One consistent theme emerges: "Whatever black people have can be taken away."

Wildfires Prompt Forestry Debate on Climate Change
While forests sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, wildfires release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases as they increase in frequency and intensity from climate change.

San Diego Explores its Options for Getting to 100 Percent Renewable Energy
San Diego's Climate Action Plan has set an ambitious goal for renewable energy, and now the investor-owned utility San Diego Gas & Electric is competing for a chance to deliver on those goals.

South L.A. Community Plans Tackle Gentrification
As public and private investment grow in South L.A., new community plans mark a victory for local organizers seeking to prevent displacement.

$13 Billion in Water Bonds Headed for the California Ballot in 2018
The legislature placed a $4.1 billion water bond on the ballot in June while a privately funded initiative hopes to qualify an $8.9 billion water bond for the November ballot. The state measure would also fund parks and trails.

$312 Million Corridor Improvement Project Coming to the East Bay Area
Two county transit agencies, seven cities, and three regional transit agencies are joining forces to plan improvements to the growing San Pablo corridor in the East Bay Area.
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