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.

UC regents endorse plans to expand Merced campus
UC Merced is one step closer to building beyond its current footprint. The campus' long-range development plan and environmental impact report were approved by the University of California Board of Regents at a meeting in Riverside on Thursday afternoon.
Merced Sun-Star article

Legislators introduce five different bonds addressing water needs
A stack of bonds aimed at fixing California's over-taxed water storage and delivery system is under consideration by state lawmakers.
California Farm Bureau Federation article

April 1 deadline looms for retrofitting gas pumps in California
Hundreds of California gas stations, including a few dozen in the Sacramento area, face fines or even closure if they don't meet an April 1 deadline to retrofit their pumps with a state-mandated vapor-recovery system.
Sacramento Bee article

Despite economic downturn, impact fees continue to rise
Builders in the South Valley pleaded with Hanford city leaders to forgo inflation adjustments this year on development impact fees, saying the move would harm potential homebuyers in the economic downturn. The argument, however, did little to convince the City Council Tuesday to reconsider its move.
Hanford Sentinel article

Tulare will get recycling program
Tulare residents will begin placing recycling materials in blue cans for city collection as early as August. The program has the approval of the Board of Public Utilities. It's expected to improve the city's recycling tonnage and save the Tulare Public Works Department about $350,000.
Visalia Times-Delta article

U.S. should not give up on clean coal
The following editorial originally appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Clean coal, anyone? The much-ballyhooed FutureGen project aimed at generating electric power using "clean-coal" technology was first on, then suddenly off, and now it's ... uh ... well, we dunno.
Sacramento Bee article

Sales of existing home in Fresno County up 87%
Sales of existing homes surged nearly 88% in Fresno County last month and could climb even more in March as homebuyers capitalize on bargain-basement prices and take advantage of new tax incentives.
Fresno Bee article

County may float $115 million public works bond
Kern County supervisors will consider floating a $115 million bond on Tuesday to pay for road projects, fire stations and a new information technology building.
Bakersfield Californian article

Local projects get $8m from stimulus
Tulare County and eight cities will share $3 million in federal stimulus money for various road-rehabilitation projects, the Tulare County Association of Governments has determined.
Visalia Times-Delta article

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