Former supervisor Bruce McPherson urges the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to move forward with a new battery energy storage system ordinance on Tuesday. He argues it is essential for climate action and local safety. He says the rules directly respond to the Moss Landing fire by banning volatile battery chemistries, requiring fire-safe containers and mandating strict inspections. McPherson argues that battery storage is critical to cutting fossil fuels, preventing power outages and keeping local control over projects like the one proposed on Minto Road outside Watsonville.
Environment
Posted inPolitics & Policy
An oil company running into rough waters off the California coast is looking to Trump for help
A vote by Santa Barbara County supervisors to deny Sable Offshore permits to restart production builds on a series of lawsuits and an accusation of insider trading, but the CEO wants President Donald Trump to help it overcome its setbacks.
Posted inLatest News
Changing tides in Santa Cruz water management seek to support fish populations in the San Lorenzo
Salmon and trout populations in Santa Cruz’s watersheds, such as the San Lorenzo River, have taken a hit in recent decades. Now, officials at the city’s water department hope that retooling water regulations will help reestablish fish — and build sustainability in Santa Cruz’s water systems.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
County holds public hearing on increasing rodent, mosquito control services
Without discussion, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors held a brief procedural hearing Tuesday to allow the public to comment on a proposed rate increase to fund expanded mosquito and rodent control services.
Posted inLatest News
County boaters can dispose of expired flares at Santa Cruz Harbor on Sunday
Santa Cruz County is hosting an event at the harbor for boaters and others to drop off expired or unwanted marine flares.
Posted inLatest News
Too cute for comfort? Santa Cruz’s sea otters might have a publicity problem
As surfer-otter run-ins continue, researchers say people, not otters, are responsible. Human development has left Santa Cruz’s sea otters with nowhere to go, forcing them to get comfortable with people.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County encourages in-person drop-off for outstanding vector control ballots
Santa Cruz County is warning that mailed ballots for its Nov. 4 vector control vote might not arrive in time and should now be returned in person at 640 Capitola Rd. in Santa Cruz.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County officials reviving a statewide coalition to block Trump’s offshore oil drilling plans
Santa Cruz County elected officials and activists are trying to reopen a playbook that helped safeguard Monterey Bay from offshore drilling in the 1980s amid Trump administration plans to restart oil and gas leases off the California coast as early as 2027.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘We’re asking for safeguards’: Tensions flare at Watsonville town hall on planned Santa Cruz County battery storage safety law
Weeks before the board of supervisors is scheduled to have the first hearing on a proposed battery storage ordinance, District 4 County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez hosted the informational town hall Monday night at Watsonville’s city hall. Residents came armed with questions — and concerns.
Posted inLatest News
Commercial Dungeness crab season faces another year of delays across Santa Cruz County
The familiar sight of fresh local crab at holiday feasts could be delayed once again this year, as state officials announced the seventh year of restrictions on the upcoming commercial and recreational Dungeness crab seasons.
