Newsroom
Latest News
The battle of Calistoga ended Thursday with a federal decision to grant a new American Viticultural Area appellation to Calistoga, forcing one local winery to change its business.
Having served a tour in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006, Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Allan Dollison was thrilled Tuesday to hear President Barack Obama announce that he would be sending 30,000 more troops to the war-torn region.
San Francisco Chronicle
After holding their breath for six years, Napa Valley winemakers can now put the name "Calistoga" on wines made from grapes grown in that historic town, federal regulators have ruled.
The decision (read it here in PDF) ends a long slog through regulatory red tape, and completes a crucial piece of the valley's intricate system for labeling its wines â€" one that stands to make bottles from the area even more valuable.
Today Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the Storage Technology of Renewable and Green Energy Act of 2009 (STORAGE Act). The STORAGE Act would provide a tax credit to individuals and businesses when they purchase energy storage systems. Energy storage systems allow consumers to keep excess energy generated by things like solar panels or wind turbines when energy is in low demand and then use it during periods of peak demand, reducing consumers' electricity bills and greatly enhancing the reliability of alternative energy sources.
“I am extremely pleased to announce that Calistoga has finally been designated as an American Viticultural Area, a long overdue and much deserved distinction. I look forward to celebrating this tremendous victory with the wine supporters here in the Napa Valley and across the globe who have worked tirelessly to recognize one of world's premier growing regions.
San Francisco Chronicle
Andy Beckstoffer, the founder of Napa Valley's Beckstoffer Vineyards, wanted to donate a piece of his land to conservation, but it didn't make sense financially - his property would bring in much more if he sold it than left it to grow grapes forever.
But when Congress passed legislation in 2006 to bolster tax deductions to those who donated conservation easements, Beckstoffer set aside the 90-acre To Kalon Vineyard in Rutherford.
Solar energy is hot. Not just with wineries attempting to lessen their carbon footprints â€" but also with thieves.
Numerous Napa Valley wineries have been victimized by thieves lurking in the night and stealing their solar arrays.
A single panel is worth about $1,000, measures two feet by three feet and weighs around 35 pounds.
North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson introduced legislation last week that would require Congress to responsibly recycle its e-waste.
Co-authored by representatives Gene Green, D-TX, Mary Bono Mack, R-CA, and Brian Bilbray, R-CA, House Resolution 938 aims to make sure that the outdated electronic equipment discarded by members of Congress and their staffs ends up recycled, and not in landfills or incinerators.
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) has introduced legislation to boost solar panel manufacturing in the United States.
H.R. 4085 will offer a significant tax credit to solar manufacturers, which will stimulate job creation here in the United States. Representatives Dave Camp (R-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Patrick Tiberi (R-OH) are original cosponsors of the bill.