Massive Solar Power Plant Is Approved
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The biggest solar installation on Earth may be coming to Southern California if two federal agencies go along. It's the second project of its kind approved this week by the state energy commission. We hear the pros and cons for the Inland Empire and California's efforts to go green. Also, State Senator Rod Wright has pleaded innocent to felony charges. On Reporter's Notebook, are you still texting while driving your car? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, Tea-Party candidates, many backed by Sarah Palin, have toppled Party-establishment favorites in Republican primaries this year. But veteran operatives have an ace in the hole: big money.
Banner image: Workers at Solar Millennium's parabolic trough power plant, Andasol, in Spain.
Making News
Senator Rod Wright Indicted for Fraud, Perjury ()
Democratic State Senator Rod Wright was arraigned today on felony charges of perjury and voter fraud. A county grand jury says he claimed residency in the Senate district he represents but doesn't actually live there. Wright pleaded not guilty and was released on $45,000 bail. Bill Boyarsky, former city editor of the LA Times, is now a columnist for TurthDig.com, LA Observed and the Jewish Journal.
Guests:
- Bill Boyarsky: former City Editor, Los Angeles Times
Main Topic
Solar Energy and the Future of California ()
California's Energy Commission has approved the world's largest solar project, a 1000-magawatt project capable of providing power to 800,000 homes. If two federal agencies approve, it'll be located near Blythe in Riverside County.
Guests:
- Dave Danelski: Reporter, Riverside Press-Enterprise
- Jan Hamrin: former Manager of Solar Programs, California Energy Commission
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Reporter's Notebook
More + Drivers Are Texting behind the Wheel ()
Texting behind the wheel was outlawed in California almost two years ago, but more drivers are doing it now than ever before. That's according to a study by the Automobile Club of Southern California, where Steven Bloch is traffic-safety researcher and policy analyst.
Guests:
- Steven Bloch: Traffic-safety Researcher and Policy Analyst, AAA
Links:
Main Topic
Will Big Money Save a Divided Republican Party? ()
In Alaska, Utah, Nevada and now New Hampshire, Tea Party-backed candidates for the US Senate have defeated party stalwarts in this year's Republican primaries. But the poster child may be Christine O'Donnell, who defeated former governor and incumbent Congressman Mike Castle this week in Delaware. Even Karl Rove calls her too “nutty” to beat Democrat Chris Coons in November, in a race that could decide which party controls the Senate.
Guests:
- David Weigel: Political Reporter, Slate.com, @daveweigel
- Jeffrey Lord: former Reagan White House Political Director, @AmSpec
- John Hawkins: Editor, RightWingNews.com and Linkiest.com, @johnhawkinsrwn
- Michael Crowley: Senior Correspondent, Time magazine, @CrowleyTIME
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Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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