Mandate could force gas stations out of business - Pasadena Star-News

ARCADIA - Dozens, and potentially hundreds, of gas stations around California are choosing to shut down rather than comply with a state mandate that would require owners to purchase new equipment to reduce vapor emissions at the pump.

California to use more solar power: governor

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed on Wednesday that the state would use more solar power to "meet our long-term renewable energy and climate change goals."

The governor said he was encouraged to see that Californians installed twice as many megawatts (MW) of solar power in 2008 than the year before.

"Our vision of solar panels lining the rooftops of houses and businesses across California is becoming a reality," said Schwarzenegger.

"I'm encouraged to see that even in these difficult financial times we are breaking solar installation records and spurring private investment in solar projects," he added.

Reader disputes effects of carbon dioxide

Mike Divell expresses concern that carbon dioxide has increased from 284 to 384 ppm (parts per million) over the last 100 years. The question is, what is the best level to have? Many commercial greenhouse operators raise carbon dioxide levels to 1,000 ppm, because it makes the plants grow more profusely, and it makes them drought resistant. If we are going to have a problem feeding the world, then don’t free fertilizer and drought resistant plants sound like a good idea?