A.M. Greenlist: A Rail line, a toll road, WeCars and biofuels

>> After a protracted fight, the Expo rail line's getting another environmental assessment at the Farmdale Avenue intersection. Some people argue that the current plans for an at-grade intersection is unsafe for students at nearby Dorsey High School; the Expo Board voted to consider five different options for the grade separation.

>> The O.C. toll road still isn't dead. The California Coastal Commission rejected plans for a toll road running through the popular San Onofre State Beach, but the O.C. toll road agency is expected to appeal to the federal government.

>> Flexcars and Zipcars are gone from most areas of L.A., but WeCars might step in to replace them -- one day. Enterprise Rent-A-Car launched the car-sharing service called WeCar on the Washington University campus last month, and plans to launch the service for the general public in St. Louis on Feb. 12. Enterprise says WeCar plans to expand beyond St. Louis but hasn't announced concrete plans. (via grist)

>> New studies find that biofuels increase carbon emissions, especially if clearing forests and grasslands to grow the crops. Earlier: The European Union is rethinking its push for biofuels.

>> An interview with Google's green energy czar, Bill Weihl. "I would describe offsets as something that if that's all you do, then it is tantamount to greenwashing."

>> How to create a stylish baguette shopping bag out of reclaimed fabric. Watch this short video to get some DIY inspiration. Earlier: BYO bag.

>> College students: Join The Real Food Challenge, a new national student campaign that supports real food, including more college farms and more academic programs that deal with food and sustainability. The current goal is to redirect at least 20% of all the food purchased by colleges and universities toward local, fair, ecologically-sound, and humane sources within 10 years -- and regional coordinators are wanted.

Image courtesy of buildexpo.org

Comments

[Kate]

I could understand the concerns about the at-grade crossing at an elementary school or middle school..but at a high school? Really? I know that kids are still at a death-defying age, but they're also supposed to have enough experience to know what they are and are not supposed to be doing.

[Dan W.]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that this is a delaying tactic or sabotage attempt backed by the few people from Cheviot Hills who are still deluding themselves that they live in Sam Yorty's Los Angeles.

When I was 16, I had enough sense not to get in front of an oncoming train.