A.M. Greenlist: Sonar, Tesla and other news

>> President Bush's effort to overturn a court order that restricted the Navy's use of sonar is unconstitutional, says the California Coastal Commission. "The notion that the president can act like some medieval autocrat and impose the law as he sees it violates the fundamental basis of the American Constitution," said state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown.

>> Finally, some news that the EPA's catching up to the rest of the world: "The Environmental Protection Agency's staff concluded last month that greenhouse gases pose a threat to the nation's welfare." No guarantee, however, that EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson will act on that, as he went against staff opinions to deny California's bid to set tougher car emissions standards.

>> The text of the Metro interactive chat with Pam O'Connor about public transit funding is now up without much new info but as usual, a lot of generalized statements -- like this one about a possible sales tax increase: "At Metro we're looking at the possibility of such a measure -- and other options -- as well as looking at the potential for public-private partnerships. "

>> High-end electric sports car Tesla's on its way to the U.S. "All necessary EPA, DOT and NHTSA approvals have been received. And series production begins in March, beginning at the rate of one per week."

>> San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom lays out his plan to decrease CO2 emissions 20% below 1990 levels by 2010.

>> Yes, you can be indicted for cutting trees. In search of a better view, a Nevada woman allegedly cut down 3 ponderosa pine trees, each 80 to 100 years old, on U.S. Forest Service land at Lake Tahoe. "If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count."

>> College students: Win one of 3 scholarships of $10,000 each by writing the best renewable energy plan for America. Deadline is Feb. 1.