Don't log those burned trees

The Sacramento Bee reports on environmentalists' concerns over removal of burned logs in South Tahoe.

Environmental groups are crying foul over a U.S. Forest Service project to remove burned trees along roads and trails in the 3,100-acre fire area.

The Forest Service says the trees were a threat because they could topple on unwary hikers. Backers of the logging say the former burn zone will be better for all the work.

Critics fear the project bodes ill for a bigger plan to thin 68,000 acres of overgrown forest surrounding Lake Tahoe in order to avoid future severe fires.

Read the full story: Environmentalists fear for Tahoe amid logging in burned Angora area

CA to boost economy by combating global warming

The Sacramento Bee reports on the recently released study that shows California will actually get a boost to their economy by combating global warming.

The state analysis predicts that the Golden State's mandate to cut vehicle and industry greenhouse gas emissions by one-third in the next 12 years will increase the economy, even though the measures are costly:

"The study, generated from computer models, shows that the bulk of the economic benefits will come from investments in costlier but more efficient vehicles, appliances and industrial equipment that more than pay for themselves by 2020, the deadline for meeting the targeted reductions."

Read the full story: Global warming fight will boost California economy, study says

Amtrak ridership up dramatically, thanks to high gas prices

The Sacramento Bee reports on the significantly higher levels of people traveling by train between California cities this year.

Amtrak says their nationwide ridership is up 11 percent since last year as more people are traveling by their service now that gas prices have gone up.

"'It's been quite surreal in some cases,' said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham, citing instances of as many as 200 standees on Pacific Surfliner trains traveling between San Diego and Los Angeles. "

Graham also says that the largest increases in ridership are for distances under 500 miles.

Popular routes in California between the Bay Area and Sacramento have seen a 19 percent increase.

Article author Janet Fullwood writes that her Bakersfield to Stockton train was completely full to Fresno.

Read the full story: Train travel hopping with new riders

Online eco-booking

The Associated Press via the Sacramento Bee highlights two online travel websites that now have eco options.

Orbitz and Expedia now have sections making it easy to book green hotels, hybrid rent-a-cars and carbon offsets.

Read the full story: Web watch: 'Green' trips easier to book