www.thepress.net Your Hometown Website
ward Winning News al A pa
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 21
City aims to reduce emissions by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Antioch officials and community members have been working on ways for the city to drastically decrease its greenhouse gas emissions., and at its Tuesday meeting, the City Council approved a resolution adopting a community and municipal plan outlining ways to reach targets the council set in 2009. The plan aims for a 25-percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 and an 80-percent reduction by 2050. The plan is two-fold: to help city government cut back on its carbon emissions and to find ways for residents to leave a smaller carbon footprint. Julie Haas-Wajdowicz, Antioch’s environmental resource coordinator, presented an update on the city’s efforts at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Accord-
Photo courtesy of Julie Haas-Wajdowicz
Antioch environmental officials met constantly with the public through workshops, such as seen here, drafting ways the city and its residents can cut back on their carbon footprint. ing to a survey by the California Energy Commission, Antioch in 2005 emitted roughly 308,954
metric tons of greenhouse gases and Contra Costa County gave off 12,335,904 metric tons of
greenhouse gases. Haas-Wajdowicz would like to see Antioch’s number come back down. “Greenhouse gases are good; they’re necessary for our planet to stay warm and habitable for us,” Haas-Wajdowicz said. “The problem is that you can have too much of a good thing and it can make it a bad thing, where we are raising the temperature of our planet above where we want it to be.” She outlined the negative impacts raised by the levels of toxins residents released, such as an increased water level, declining snow pack, poorer air quality and hotter weather. Haas-Wajdowicz explained several ways Antioch could become a greener city, on both a micro and macro level. Establishing carpool lanes on Highway 4 could garner an
rs
Na t
pe
ion
May 27, 2011
Summer stratagems
Primed to play? Our Summer Fun section is brimming with ideas to make the season sizzle. Page 1B
In memory of the fallen Flags will be unfurled and gratitude unveiled at Antioch’s Memorial Day observances. Page 3A
Crucible of competition
see City page 15A
Officials optimistic about Bypass money by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Improvements to the intersection of Sand Creek Road and the Highway 4 Bypass could come sooner rather than later, as local officials are optimistic that the project to improve that troubled traffic zone is in line to receive up to $33 million from the state. Currently, the three-way intersection of the Highway 4 Bypass and Sand Creek Road in Brentwood is moderated by traffic lights, causing gridlock in the morning and afternoon. Money from the California Department of Transportation’s Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) would turn the intersection into an interchange, much like the
Online Now!
East County track and field stars are warming up for the Memorial weekend’s Meet of Champions. Page 19A
Photo by Richard Wisdom
A project that would turn the Sand Creek Road and Highway 4 Bypass intersection, above, into an interchange, much like the exits at Lone Tree Way and Laurel Road, is high on the list to receive money from the state. Bypass exits for Laurel Road and Lone Tree Way. The funds would also extend the highway to four lanes – two in each direction – south to the intersec-
www.thepress.net Your Hometown Website
tion at Balfour Road. The project stands a good chance of receiving the thumbsup from the state. According to a letter from Bimla Rhinehart,
Aquatic aid
go to news/WebExtras! A Recycled Water Master Plan got a big boost from the Department of the Interior.
the Department of Transportation’s executive director, the Sand Creek Road interchange is see Bypass page 15A
Layoffs opposed go to news/press releases Unions fear that inspector layoffs will put communities at risk.
Arts ....................................... 6A Business ............................. 18B Calendar ............................ 27B Classifieds ......................... 21B Cop Logs ............................17A Entertainment ................. 16B Food .................................... 14B Health & Beauty .............. 11B Milestones ........................ 17B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................19A Summer Fun ....................... 1B ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +
®
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Leading Lion
go to multimedia/videos The Mr. Liberty event featured acts ranging from the goofy to the grandiose.