Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif. Monday march 1, 2010 Vol. 63, No. 16
the-telescope.com
INSID E
Carlsbad powers up
Make a game of the Oscars with Red-Carpet B I page N G O
Energy company proposes building second power plant
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FOCUS Stepping out with spring fashion page
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ENTERTAINMENT Music piracy an affliction page
Melody Parks and Sydnie taylor the telescope
Carlsbad’s beaches attract thousands each year. However, a decision made by the California Energy Commission could bring major changes if a proposal for a second power plant goes through. NRG Energy, which owns the Encina Power Station off Interstate 5 and Carlsbad Bou-
levard, has submitted an application to build another power plant on its 100-acre coastal lot. The proposed plant would include two 14-story smoke stacks, nine-story buildings and would generate 540 megawatts of nuclear power, according to NRG’s Web site. Residents could be faced with a decision that would take 50 years to overturn once
victor amador the telescope
made, according to the city of Carlsbad Web site. Palomar student and Carlsbad resident Rose Imperiale can see the existing power plant from her home and is against the expansion. She said that Carlsbad residents would be unhappy with an additional power plant. turn to power page
Honey, I shrunk the buses
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SPORTS Foul-filled game leads to victory page
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photos by stephanie dao| THE TELESCOPE
In August, the North County Transit District will replace 24 heavy duty buses with smaller buses in order to cut costs. NCTD plans to eliminate some of its older, larger buses with newer, smaller buses to better fit bus routes. Currently, the NCTD has 137 large buses that hold up to 70 passengers. The smaller buses will be powered by compressed natural gas and diesel fuel, and will hold 23 passengers with no room to stand. A NCTD board meeting was held on Feb. 18 regarding the subject. Director of Operations Tom Licherman spoke on behalf of the new proposal. “Overall, the smaller buses would be a better fit for the routes with a lower demand,” he said at the meeting. According to Lichterman, the smaller busses have a lifespan of seven years, which is two years longer than the larger buses. The purchase of 24 of these new buses will cost $3.5 million. It is still unknown whether routes will change. Lichterman said that the smaller buses would be used on routes that see 15 passengers per revenue hour. NCTD’s Media Relations and Marketing spokeswoman Sarah Benson said that the smaller buses will replace routes with low demand and during times when passenger loads are smaller. Palomar student Niki White does not agree with the move to smaller turn to nctd page
Book bill lowers cost maggie avants The telescope
Students could soon see a little relief in the money they spend at campus bookstores if state legislators pass a bill that would tax large corporations instead of those trying to squeak by on a slim budget. Assembly Bill 1178 proposes California go after corporations that are evading taxes by setting up phony businesses in the Cayman Islands. The revenue made from the taxes would be directly applied to a tax cut for students purchasing textbooks and supplies. The bill is authored by State Assemblyman Marty Block (D-San Diego). “Textbook prices are through the roof and students just got hit with a fee increase so they pay more now for fewer classes,” Block said in a voice clip posted on his Web site. “That’s not right.” Palomar student Alexandra Gray can attest to this. “This semester I spent $270 on four books, just to rent them,” Gray said, adding that it was the cheapest option for her parents this semester. as| THE TELESCOPE melina fick
textbooks page turn to
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