The San Joaquin Valley Connect is a daily publication of the Great Valley Center's Energy Program and is designed to keep you informed about what's happening in your region. You have been subscribed because of your interest in regional happenings and energy efficiency in the San Joaquin Valley. If you do not wish to receive this daily newsletter click here to manage your subscription.

$260 million pledged for water projects
U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar came to California on Wednesday to announce $260 million in federal funding for water projects -- but little of that money will help the Valley, local officials said.
Fresno Bee article

Green efforts net green
Wine industry, government and utility company officials toured an innovative winery Wednesday as they announced great strides in boosting energy efficiency at wineries and vineyards throughout the state.
Stockton Record article

A bullet train in every pot
High-speed rail lines would link all major parts of the United States with passenger trains traveling at 200 miles per hour or more under a preliminary plan released Thursday by the Obama Administration.
Central Valley Business Times article

Thousands gather to vent at tax day tea party
Joining a colorful nationwide campaign patterned on the Boston Tea Party, thousands of protesters gathered in Valley cities Wednesday to denounce government spending and tax policies.
Fresno Bee article

Additional 'tea party' coverage:
Bakersfield Californian article
Hanford Sentinel article
Lodi News-Sentinel article
Merced Sun-Star article
Modesto Bee article
Stockton Record article
Tracy Press article
Visalia Times-Delta article

Dropouts have big impact on cities
Throw the book at them. That's the inescapable conclusion of the California Dropout Research Project, a study group that looked at graduation rates, the economic cost of academic failure and the impact of dropout rates on crime, including homicide and aggravated assault.
Bakersfield Californian opinion

Species protections debated amid water shortage
Farmers face long odds in their drive to loosen strict environmental laws that have aggravated the Valley's water shortage.
Fresno Bee article

Central Valley water projects face many hurdles
Parched San Joaquin Valley residents likely will find it easier to get federal money than to punch loopholes in the strict environmental laws some believe aggravated the current drought.
Merced Sun-Star article

Return to our fuelish ways
There is some good economic news out there, if a government forecast can be believed: Gasoline prices should remain relatively low during the summer driving season.
Stockton Record opinion

It's like something out of sci-fi -- getting energy from outer space
Stardate: April 10, 2009. The world began looking a bit different on that day. In the future, some might say that was the day things began looking up.
Fresno Bee opinion

Recycle bins hold a surprise
About a third -- sometimes nearly half -- of recyclables collected from communities across Kings County are ending up in a landfill, causing some costs previously unaccounted for, according to the local waste agency.
Hanford Sentinel article

New survey urges buyers of green products to beware
Green buyers, beware: Many products that promise to be good for the planet aren't as environmentally friendly as they claim.
Sacramento Bee article

Milk glut hurts California dairy finances
Drink up – milk prices are expected to stay low through summer as the dairy business struggles with a glut.
Sacramento Bee article

Quitting school costs city
Modesto will lose $168.2 million over the lifetimes of 981 Modestans who dropped out of junior high and high school during the 2006-07 school year.
Modesto Bee article

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