Latest news with #Westerman


Politico
14 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
The California climate export catching fire in Trump's D.C.
With help from Alex Nieves and Jordan Wolman CATCHING FIRE: California's wildfire tech companies are seizing their D.C. moment as Congress and President Donald Trump eye sweeping fire reforms. Representatives from Truckee-based forest mapping company Vibrant Planet and Earth Fire Alliance, a nonprofit coalition working on wildfire-tracking satellites that includes Google and MuonSpace, backed the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act in a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing in Washington D.C. on Thursday focused on wildfire policy and technology. They had a receptive audience, with both Rep. Bruce Westerman, the Republican chair of the committee, and Rep. Jared Huffman, the Democratic ranking member, enthusiastically encouraging everything from drones to artificial intelligence to mapping software. 'There is no downside to scaling new technologies across the federal government, especially innovative technologies that improve wildfire suppression and response and facilitate more proactive land management,' said Westerman. To be sure, there are still cracks. Though the bill passed the House, it's cooling its heels in the Senate, where Sen. Alex Padilla is co-sponsoring it, amid broader budget talks. And on Thursday, while Westerman praised Trump's executive order seeking to consolidate federal wildfire agencies and encourage the use of privately developed technology, Huffman lambasted the Trump administration's jobs cuts that are hampering those same wildfire agencies ('This is where I feel like sometimes we must be living on different planets,' Huffman told his Republican counterparts.) But the growing bipartisan embrace of fire technology gives California's climate exports an easy and rare win in the age of Trump — and the companies that stand to benefit are leaning in. They engaged 'from the very start' to shape provisions of the bill, including a fire intelligence center and a pilot tech-testing program, said Matt Weiner, the CEO of nonprofit Megafire Action, which has allied with tech companies. 'This is an industry that was largely grown in California, and that's expanding nationwide now,' said Weiner. 'What you're seeing is policymakers nationwide seeing the potential and the need here…it's an exciting time.' They might actually be having more success in D.C. than at home. The Los Angeles fires triggered a wave of state legislative proposals focused primarily on immediate financial relief for victims and boosting Cal Fire staffing, but tech input has been sparse (the exception being Vibrant Planet's support for Sen. Josh Becker's SB 326, which bolsters wildfire planning and coordination among state agencies and utilities.) And last month, a bill by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris to set up an autonomous firefighting helicopter pilot stalled in the appropriations committee amid the broader budget deficit. Part of the D.C.-Sacramento split-screen is because California's been taking small bites out of wildfire policy as wildfires began shattering records over the past seven years, spending billions to boost its firefighting force — including more than $4 billion for Cal Fire in this year's budget — and tweaking laws to improve prescribed burning and forest management. And partly it's because no one in Sacramento has attempted the type of sweeping reform gaining traction in D.C. Dan Munsey, the San Bernardino County fire chief, testified at Thursday's hearing that he liked the spending on Cal Fire. But he also said that local agencies like his are ahead of the rest of government in embracing technology like firefighting drones. And he said tech can only go so far. 'The answer to this isn't the technology that is broadly available. The answer is leadership,' Munsey said. 'We lack interagency department collaboration. It's very bifurcated. I fully support President Trump's creation of the U.S. wildfire agency. We have to break down the barriers. We're slowly innovating. We are burdened by the regulatory process.' — CvK Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here! GRID GAMES: Everyone from Microsoft to Rivian to IBEW is trying to save a proposal to create a West-wide electricity grid after state lawmakers tried to wrestle back control for California. A broad coalition of business, environmental and utility groups urged state lawmakers to pass legislation to set up the regional grid in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Speaker Robert Rivas on Wednesday. Their fear is that amendments taken earlier this month to Sen. Josh Becker's SB 540 could alienate utilities in other states. The amendments aim to give state lawmakers more oversight of the regionalization effort, but according to the companies and groups, they risk turning off other states that fear giving California too much control over a unified grid. 'Without California's collaborative action on this policy, its partners will leave the current markets, making energy more expensive, less reliable, and making the state's climate goals more challenging and expensive to achieve,' they wrote. Opponents of the bill, including some environmental groups and ratepayer advocates, fear regionalizing California's grid will cede control over its clean energy goals to less environmentally friendly forces. The bill is still waiting for its first policy hearing in the Assembly. — CvK START NEGOTIATING: The clock is ticking for the seven Western states fighting over their share of the dwindling Colorado River. The Trump administration has told the states that border the critical water source that they have until November 11 to reach an 'agreement in principle,' or tell the Interior Department that a deal is unlikely, POLITICO's Annie Snider reports. Scott Cameron, acting assistant secretary for Water and Science at the Interior Department, told state negotiators during a meeting of the Upper Colorado River Commission Thursday that the federal government prefers a state-led deal, but isn't afraid to impose unilateral cuts. States have struggled for more than a year to agree on new rules governing water deliveries to replace those set to expire at the end of 2026. The fight has pitted California, Arizona and Nevada against the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico and Utah over how to divvy up water from a river that has shrunk by 20 percent over the past quarter century thanks to drought and climate change. — AN RARE EARTH TROUBLE: The Trump administration's fight with China over rare earth minerals is sending a shock through automakers' electric vehicle supply chains. China's tightening restrictions on the critical minerals used in electronics and heavy-duty motors found in electric vehicles and hybrids are already causing reduced parts supply for car companies, Hannah Northey and Mike Lee report for POLITICO's E&E news. Not all automakers are in the same tenuous position. Ford was forced to shut down a plant in Chicago that makes Explorer SUVs for a week, while BMW and Suzuki have reported disruptions. General Motors, meanwhile, has found itself buffered from the growing trade war after stocking up on rare earth minerals early. The disruption to rare earth supply chains comes as automakers warn that Trump's 25 percent tariff on imported cars and parts — and his threat to increase that levy — will lead to shortages and higher prices at dealerships. — AN — 2024 was the hottest year on record, but it's only likely to get hotter this year. — Longtime Elon Musk ally and top Tesla executive Omead Afshar has left the struggling automaker. — Malaysia, a top destination for California plastic waste, says it will no longer accept shipments from the U.S.

Politico
2 days ago
- Business
- Politico
The California climate export catching fire in Trump's DC
California's wildfire tech companies are seizing their D.C. moment as Congress and President Donald Trump eye sweeping fire reforms. Representatives from Truckee, Calif.-based forest mapping company Vibrant Planet and Earth Fire Alliance, a nonprofit coalition working on wildfire-tracking satellites that includes Google and Muon Space, backed the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act in a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C. on Thursday focused on wildfire policy and technology. They had a receptive audience, with both Rep. Bruce Westerman, the Republican chair of the committee, and Rep. Jared Huffman, the Democratic ranking member, enthusiastically encouraging everything from drones to artificial intelligence to mapping software. 'There is no downside to scaling new technologies across the federal government, especially innovative technologies that improve wildfire suppression and response and facilitate more proactive land management,' said Westerman. To be sure, there are still cracks. Though the bill passed the House, it's cooling its heels in the Senate, where California Sen. Alex Padilla is co-sponsoring it, amid broader budget talks. And on Thursday, while Westerman praised Trump's executive order seeking to consolidate federal wildfire agencies and encourage the use of privately developed technology, Huffman lambasted the Trump administration's jobs cuts that are hampering those same wildfire agencies ('This is where I feel like sometimes we must be living on different planets,' Huffman told his Republican counterparts.) But the growing bipartisan embrace of fire technology gives California's climate exports an easy and rare win in the age of Trump — and the companies that stand to benefit are leaning in. They engaged 'from the very start' to shape provisions of the bill, including a fire intelligence center and a pilot tech-testing program, said Matt Weiner, the CEO of nonprofit Megafire Action, which has allied with tech companies. 'This is an industry that was largely grown in California, and that's expanding nationwide now,' said Weiner. 'What you're seeing is policymakers nationwide seeing the potential and the need here…it's an exciting time.' They might actually be having more success in D.C. than at home. The Los Angeles fires triggered a wave of state legislative proposals focused primarily on immediate financial relief for victims and boosting Cal Fire staffing, but tech input has been sparse (the exception being Vibrant Planet's support for state Sen. Josh Becker's SB 326, which bolsters wildfire planning and coordination among state agencies and utilities.) And last month, a bill by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris to set up an autonomous firefighting helicopter pilot stalled in the appropriations committee amid the broader budget deficit. Part of the D.C.-Sacramento split-screen is because California's been taking small bites out of wildfire policy as wildfires began shattering records over the past seven years, spending billions to boost its firefighting force — including over $4 billion in this year's budget for Cal Fire — and tweaking laws to improve prescribed burning and forest management. And partly it's because no one in Sacramento has attempted the type of sweeping reform gaining traction in D.C. Dan Munsey, the San Bernardino County fire chief, testified at Thursday's hearing that he liked the spending on Cal Fire. But he also said that local agencies like his are ahead of the rest of government in embracing technology like firefighting drones. And he said tech can only go so far. 'The answer to this isn't the technology that is broadly available. The answer is leadership,' Munsey said. 'We lack interagency department collaboration. It's very bifurcated. I fully support President Trump's creation of the U.S. wildfire agency. We have to break down the barriers. We're slowly innovating. We are burdened by the regulatory process.' Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICO's California Climate newsletter.

South Wales Argus
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Stockland Square and Windsor Square in Caerphilly reopened
Stockland Square and Windsor Square were built in the late 1990s and have recently undergone a regeneration project. The regeneration project is part of the Caerphilly Town 2035 Placemaking Plan. The aim is to create a more open social space while introducing more greenery, seating, and improved bin facilities for businesses. Following the completion of the project, the artist responsible for some public art installations in the squares, Julie Westerman, visited to see the transformation. She has also written poems that feature on new benches installed in the square. Ms Westerman said: "It's every artist's hope, that their work will truly belong in the place. "What a great compliment to see that the sculptures have become part of the town's story. "The team at Stride Treglown have done a great job bringing the squares to life, fresh and rejuvenated. "It's a perfect place to sit, people-watch and gossip. "I love that the geese now sit right down beside the people on the benches party to their conversations. "And at night lighting the benches is inspired, it enlivens the whole square." Councillor Jamie Pritchard, deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: "We're grateful to Julie Westerman for returning to Caerphilly and continuing to inspire positive changes for public spaces on Windsor Street and Stockland Street. "These bronze works have become a recognisable feature of the town centre over the last 30 years, so it is wonderful to see them preserved for the future. "This new attraction will provide a welcoming environment for people to enjoy and marks the delivery of another successful project for the Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking plan."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fifteen years later: Remembering deadly Albert Pike flood that left 20 dead
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ark.- It's been 15 years since a deadly flood at what was once a popular campsite took the lives of 20 people. The campsite remained closed until a bill sponsored by an Arkansas congressman was signed into law this year. For many families back at Albert Pike Recreation Area along the Little Missouri River, it brings back memories. However, June 11th also carries a somber memory. 'It's almost like visiting a haunted house,' said Cathy Smith, a visitor at Albert Pike. Albert Pike Recreation to remain day-use only 10 years after fatal flash flood On June 11, 2010, heavy rain during a storm fell over the campsite at night, causing a flash flood where 20 campers who were sleeping died. 'We actually knew a couple and their grandchild that perished in the flood, so it was absolute horror,' Smith said. The O'Rand family says they used to come to the site often but have rarely been back since the flood. 'Some of the best parts of my childhood was being in this area and knowing that something like this happened really quickly with very little warning they had. It was devastating,' Aaron O'Rand said. The camping area has remained closed after the flood, only allowing some areas for day use until Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman worked on the EXPLORE Act, a bill signed into law this year by former President Joe Biden in early January. 'Part of the EXPLORE Act requires reopening and rebuilding the campground at Albert Pike; it requires the campsite to be above the 100-year floodplain,' Westerman said The Montgomery County Judge Bart Williams stated that when the new campground is built, the area will go back to being an overnight campsite and will be beneficial. 'Montgomery, Polk, Howard and Pike counties will benefit through stimulation of local economies in our small communities through tourism. The local governments will see an increase in the tax base,' Williams said. 'Montgomery County residents grew up with this area open and want to be able to spend time there with their families and pass it along to future generations.' Study to look at future use of Albert Pike after fatal flood Westerman added that he 'knows they're already working on designs on how to build the new campsite and how to get the existing families back up.' Both families say they're glad that the campsite will be reopening as they bring their family members to the areas that are available for day use. 'We were expecting it to be totally different and look different and like the vibe different but it's really about the same,' Megan O'Rand said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


The Irish Sun
09-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
The age you can leave children at home alone in Ireland as summer holidays near
THE age at which children can be left home alone in Ireland has been revealed as summer holidays draw nearer. The State's leading Irish child protection service 3 Parents must ask if their child is ready to be home alone Credit: Getty 3 There are multiple things to consider before leaving your child or teen at home Credit: Getty It's one that many parents are asking as both primary and secondary Although some children will have a childminder or go to a summer camp, it's not unlikely that they may have to be left home alone. Tusla have said that there is no specific legal age that a child can be left But the child's safety and welfare must still be accounted for. READ MORE IN FABULOUS Tusla said that children under the age of 14 are generally not seen as mature enough to be left home alone. They explained: "There is no set age at which it is legal to leave children home alone, as it depends on whether the child is mature enough to be left alone. "For older teenagers, it is the decision of the The group added that young children should never be left home alone, while children over the age of 14 should only be left home alone for a very short period of time. Most read in The Irish Sun QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER From 16 onwards, it's generally considered that a child is mature enough to be left at home without a parent or guardian. The NSPCC also offer advice on how to asses whether or not your child is mature enough to stay home alone. Head of local campaigns Helen Westerman said that a child who doesn't feel comfortable being left alone should not stay at home without a supervisor. She added that parents must also consider if their child is ready to play outside unsupervised. As children get older and socialising with friends becomes a bigger part of life, many might spend their But Westerman said there are a few things to consider before allowing this. EMERGENCY SCENARIO She told "This is an important part of growing up, but we know there can be a lot to think about for parents. "As every child is different, we recommend building up their independence at their pace and checking in with them to make sure they feel safe." Some tips that parents can consider before deciding to leave their child home alone include asking, 'Are they ready', and considering 'What would they do in an emergency?' A second tip is taking sensible precautions by reducing risk factors and leaving a spare set of keys, A third is to know the facts if your child is going out unsupervised, including where they are going and with who. FINAL TIP A fourth tip is to make sure your children have the correct And a common tip is to go through different scenarios with your child and explain the correct way to approach them. For example, you might want to ask them what they would do if a stranger came to the door or if someone asked them to do something they were uncomfortable with. And a final tip is to establish clear boundaries, so that your child is aware of all the rules when they are unsupervised, in or outside of the house. Westerman said: "said: "It's a good idea to agree on some house or outside rules that suit their maturity before you leave them alone. "Give your child a chance to build their independence by building your trust. "If they adhere to rules and boundaries you set, you'll feel more confident letting them do more on their own." Can your child be left home alone? Here are some things to consider before leaving your child unsupervised: Ask yourself are they comfortable with it? Have you taken sensible measures to prevent risk? Do you know the facts of where your child is going and with who? Does your child have the correct phone number? Do you they know what to do in an emergency scenario? Have you established clear boundaries about being unsupervised with your child? 3 Parents shouldn't leave children below the age of 14 alone for long Credit: Getty