Greg Pierce
@gregspierce.bsky.social
UCLA: Human Right to Water Solutions Lab, Luskin Center, Department of Urban Planning, Water Resources Group
Pinned
Greg Pierce
@gregspierce.bsky.social
· Mar 5
Out now! A Comment in Nature Water discusses major implications for water supply after the Los Angeles Fires
@gregspierce.bsky.social l @edithdeguzman.bsky.social @mullinmeg.bsky.social
👇
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
@gregspierce.bsky.social l @edithdeguzman.bsky.social @mullinmeg.bsky.social
👇
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Redefining expectations for urban water supply systems to fight wildfires - Nature Water
Three major implications stemming from the water supply narratives around the Los Angeles fires have emerged: the need for greater infrastructure resilience, considering the uneven costs of new expect...
www.nature.com
Our Nature Water comment “Redefining expectations for urban water supply systems to fight wildfire” is out ⬇️.
I started working on this w/ @edithdeguzman.bsky.social and @mullinmeg.bsky.social 10 days after the fires started.
We lay out 3 major implications from the fires for water supply systems
I started working on this w/ @edithdeguzman.bsky.social and @mullinmeg.bsky.social 10 days after the fires started.
We lay out 3 major implications from the fires for water supply systems
Reposted by Greg Pierce
On September 29, Governor Newsom signed SB1093 - "Mobilehome Parks: Disaster Assistance." This bill is the result of hard work from MH leaders in Los Angeles, Ben Allen's office, nphs, and (most especially) Ryan Sears! Many congratulations!
Read more here: www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/29/g...
Read more here: www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/29/g...
Governor Newsom signs legislation to accelerate wildfire prevention projects, strengthen fire response, and harden communities against future disasters | Governor of California
www.gov.ca.gov
October 1, 2026 at 7:22 PM
On September 29, Governor Newsom signed SB1093 - "Mobilehome Parks: Disaster Assistance." This bill is the result of hard work from MH leaders in Los Angeles, Ben Allen's office, nphs, and (most especially) Ryan Sears! Many congratulations!
Read more here: www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/29/g...
Read more here: www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/29/g...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
not helping, @theonion.com
Dude Wipes Introduces New Flushable Khakis https://theonion.com/dude-wipes-introduces-new-flushable-khakis/
October 1, 2026 at 4:18 PM
not helping, @theonion.com
Reposted by Greg Pierce
This is a big deal for building decarbonization! AB 2313 has the potential to both speed up appliance replacement and help shift the incentives that keep gas utilities from coming to the table to confront long-term decline. Congratulations to all the advocates!
BREAKING: @governor.ca.gov just signed the Home Energy Choice Act, a bill that will give Californians the freedom and funds to install electric appliances with money that would otherwise have been used to replace old gas lines
earthjustice.org/press/2026/c...
earthjustice.org/press/2026/c...
California Passes the Home Energy Choice Act
AB 2313 gives Californians the option to install non-polluting appliances with the help of funds that would otherwise have been used to replace the old gas line to their home
earthjustice.org
October 1, 2026 at 1:51 AM
This is a big deal for building decarbonization! AB 2313 has the potential to both speed up appliance replacement and help shift the incentives that keep gas utilities from coming to the table to confront long-term decline. Congratulations to all the advocates!
Obviously you haven't heard enough from our @luskininnovation.bsky.social- @ucanrwater.bsky.social water systems-wildfire working group, so here's a chance to get an update and discuss:
"Fact and fiction: What changed for water systems following the 2025 LA fires"
"Fact and fiction: What changed for water systems following the 2025 LA fires"
September 29, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Obviously you haven't heard enough from our @luskininnovation.bsky.social- @ucanrwater.bsky.social water systems-wildfire working group, so here's a chance to get an update and discuss:
"Fact and fiction: What changed for water systems following the 2025 LA fires"
"Fact and fiction: What changed for water systems following the 2025 LA fires"
Reposted by Greg Pierce
If you're in LA or at UCLA, a reminder that this event is tonight! Would love to see you there.
I'm also meeting informally with Scripps colleagues tomorrow morning + packing in another big talk and two more meetings.
I'm also meeting informally with Scripps colleagues tomorrow morning + packing in another big talk and two more meetings.
We at the @luskininnovation.bsky.social are thrilled to welcome @katharinehayhoe.com to campus for the 1st Luskin Lecture of the year co-hosted by the Center and the Luskin School.
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/event/keepin...
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/event/keepin...
Keeping Climate in the Conversation: A UCLA Luskin Lecture with Katherine Hayhoe | UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Join us September 28th as world-renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe kicks off the fall UCLA Luskin Lecture series with a timely conversation on climate action at a critical crossroads.
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu
September 28, 2026 at 6:13 PM
If you're in LA or at UCLA, a reminder that this event is tonight! Would love to see you there.
I'm also meeting informally with Scripps colleagues tomorrow morning + packing in another big talk and two more meetings.
I'm also meeting informally with Scripps colleagues tomorrow morning + packing in another big talk and two more meetings.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
My former colleagues, Mark Cane and Stephen Zebiak, were the first to successfully predict El Niño more than a year in advance in the late 1980s.
Now we’re really good at it, and know the consequences. It’d be irresponsible for governments not to take action. Read this from my buddy Jeff Shaman.
Now we’re really good at it, and know the consequences. It’d be irresponsible for governments not to take action. Read this from my buddy Jeff Shaman.
Opinion | The Super El Niño Comes Bearing One Gift: Time to Prepare (Gift Article)
There’s still time to prepare.
www.nytimes.com
September 27, 2026 at 4:21 PM
My former colleagues, Mark Cane and Stephen Zebiak, were the first to successfully predict El Niño more than a year in advance in the late 1980s.
Now we’re really good at it, and know the consequences. It’d be irresponsible for governments not to take action. Read this from my buddy Jeff Shaman.
Now we’re really good at it, and know the consequences. It’d be irresponsible for governments not to take action. Read this from my buddy Jeff Shaman.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
The Water Talk podcast is back for a seventh season with an opening episode on PFAS, aka "forever chemicals," and how best to communicate with publics about them based on new research from the University of Wisconsin - Madison www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/epi...
PFAS: Science, Risk, and Communication — Water Talk
A conversation with Gavin Dehnert (Emerging Contaminants Scientist, University of Wisconsin–Madison) and Lyn van Swol (Professor of Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin–Madison) about Perfluoro...
www.watertalkpodcast.com
September 25, 2026 at 6:10 PM
The Water Talk podcast is back for a seventh season with an opening episode on PFAS, aka "forever chemicals," and how best to communicate with publics about them based on new research from the University of Wisconsin - Madison www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/epi...
Climate change pushes on the internal external and existential margins of the obligation to serve of public utilities.
This is one, and an exceedingly rare, progressive example.
Stay for some grumpy quotes from me on statewide standards and support efforts.
calmatters.org/environment/...
This is one, and an exceedingly rare, progressive example.
Stay for some grumpy quotes from me on statewide standards and support efforts.
calmatters.org/environment/...
He knows his community is going to burn again. Now he's making sure they’re ready
As climate-fueled wildfires test water systems in new and devastating ways, a rural California county has a plan to adapt
calmatters.org
September 25, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Climate change pushes on the internal external and existential margins of the obligation to serve of public utilities.
This is one, and an exceedingly rare, progressive example.
Stay for some grumpy quotes from me on statewide standards and support efforts.
calmatters.org/environment/...
This is one, and an exceedingly rare, progressive example.
Stay for some grumpy quotes from me on statewide standards and support efforts.
calmatters.org/environment/...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
"A red flag for the future." New research based on satellite data reveals California needs years of heavy snow to recoup groundwater. Scientists say it suggests recharging depleted aquifers will become more difficult as global warming brings more rain and less snow. www.latimes.com/environment/...
For the first time, scientists link heavy snow to groundwater in California
Scientists are finding that snowfall is more connected to water underground than we knew. Using satellite data, they found groundwater levels actually rise during big snow years, in contrast to most y...
www.latimes.com
September 17, 2026 at 7:22 PM
"A red flag for the future." New research based on satellite data reveals California needs years of heavy snow to recoup groundwater. Scientists say it suggests recharging depleted aquifers will become more difficult as global warming brings more rain and less snow. www.latimes.com/environment/...
The new parking- local public finance- deportation contractor nexus.
The sale of the Chicago parking meter lease requires the buyer to sell an airline they own that serves immigration deportation flights. Chicago also gets a much better deal than they've had.
Deal Reached to Sell Chicago Parking Meters to Investment Firm, Alderpeople Say
The deal requires Stonepeak to sell Omni Air International, which has a contract with the Trump administration to carry out deportations, according to the City Council members.
news.wttw.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:56 PM
The new parking- local public finance- deportation contractor nexus.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
I never made it past the first chapter but @andrewrumbach.bsky.social did. Hopefully we never need to talk about this man ever again.
andrewrumbach.substack.com/p/i-read-dav...
andrewrumbach.substack.com/p/i-read-dav...
September 16, 2026 at 7:33 PM
I never made it past the first chapter but @andrewrumbach.bsky.social did. Hopefully we never need to talk about this man ever again.
andrewrumbach.substack.com/p/i-read-dav...
andrewrumbach.substack.com/p/i-read-dav...
Happy to see this ruling which rejects plaintiff claims (against SFPUC) that explicit fire hydrant charges are in violation of Prop 218.
h/t @mavensnotebook.com
kmtg.com/news/legal-a...
h/t @mavensnotebook.com
kmtg.com/news/legal-a...
Appellate Court Reinforces Need to Follow Validation Procedure in Litigating Retail Water Service Rates Under Proposition 218
The First District Court of Appeal has, for the second time this year, affirmed the dismissal of a Proposition 218 challenge to water rates subject to Government Code section 53759. In Toy v. City and...
kmtg.com
September 16, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Happy to see this ruling which rejects plaintiff claims (against SFPUC) that explicit fire hydrant charges are in violation of Prop 218.
h/t @mavensnotebook.com
kmtg.com/news/legal-a...
h/t @mavensnotebook.com
kmtg.com/news/legal-a...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Going forward, the US National Science Foundation research budget for all atmospheric, ocean, and Earth sciences is $110 million per year.
Trump's illegal war with Iran cost the Department of Defense (i.e., the American taxpayers) $38 billion in the first 5 months, or $220 million per day.
Trump's illegal war with Iran cost the Department of Defense (i.e., the American taxpayers) $38 billion in the first 5 months, or $220 million per day.
Estimating the Cost of Combat Operations Against Iran
CBO assesses the Department of Defense's costs for the current armed conflict against Iran, as well as the conflict's economic and budgetary effects.
www.cbo.gov
September 15, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Going forward, the US National Science Foundation research budget for all atmospheric, ocean, and Earth sciences is $110 million per year.
Trump's illegal war with Iran cost the Department of Defense (i.e., the American taxpayers) $38 billion in the first 5 months, or $220 million per day.
Trump's illegal war with Iran cost the Department of Defense (i.e., the American taxpayers) $38 billion in the first 5 months, or $220 million per day.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
NSF GEO webinar summary: we have reduced programs from 15 down to 3, we have no deadlines, we have no guidelines on project size, duration or budget, we have no money
September 15, 2026 at 5:59 PM
NSF GEO webinar summary: we have reduced programs from 15 down to 3, we have no deadlines, we have no guidelines on project size, duration or budget, we have no money
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Breaking News: The E.P.A. is said to be planning to announce that the U.S. will no longer limit climate pollution from power plants.
E.P.A. Will Erase Limits on Climate Pollution From Power Plants
Generation of electricity is the second largest source of carbon dioxide and other planet-warming gases in the United States.
nyti.ms
September 14, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Breaking News: The E.P.A. is said to be planning to announce that the U.S. will no longer limit climate pollution from power plants.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Currently practicing for the post-earthquake water outages because the water main on our street broke and we are without water. Imagine this scaled up by multiple orders of magnitude due to an earthquake. Hmmm, when was the last time I changed out our emergency water? Oh no…
September 12, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Currently practicing for the post-earthquake water outages because the water main on our street broke and we are without water. Imagine this scaled up by multiple orders of magnitude due to an earthquake. Hmmm, when was the last time I changed out our emergency water? Oh no…
Reposted by Greg Pierce
A hefty industry-oriented consortium is quietly organizing to burn California's landmark plastic and recycling legislation to the ground. What you need to know www.latimes.com/science/stor...
Leaked emails reveal industry plan to kill California's plastic and recycling laws
Leaked internal memos reveal how a packaging alliance drove a widespread lobbying and marketing campaign to dismantle California’s landmark plastic and recycling laws.
www.latimes.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:29 PM
A hefty industry-oriented consortium is quietly organizing to burn California's landmark plastic and recycling legislation to the ground. What you need to know www.latimes.com/science/stor...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
I'm not certain that the City of Chicago realizes how serious the DWC is about cutting them out. And certain ratepayers in Chicago (that pay lower water rates because of wholesale subsidization) realize their rates will go up.
DuPage Water Commission gets more federal money for new Lake Michigan water project
DuPage Water Commission gets more federal money for new Lake Michigan water project
The DuPage Water Commission has received another $500,000 from the federal government for a plan to build a $6 billion system to draw water from Lake Michigan.
www.dailyherald.com
September 10, 2026 at 7:04 PM
I'm not certain that the City of Chicago realizes how serious the DWC is about cutting them out. And certain ratepayers in Chicago (that pay lower water rates because of wholesale subsidization) realize their rates will go up.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Proud to support this important work. Read more about restoring public confidence in drinking water after wildfires.
Did you want >20k words on "Restoring public confidence in drinking water after wildfires"
You are in luck🔽
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/2026/09/10/r...
You are in luck🔽
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/2026/09/10/r...
Restoring public confidence in drinking water after wildfires | UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
UCLA-led workshop with more than 50 experts identifies communications, research…
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu
September 10, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Proud to support this important work. Read more about restoring public confidence in drinking water after wildfires.
Did you want >20k words on "Restoring public confidence in drinking water after wildfires"
You are in luck🔽
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/2026/09/10/r...
You are in luck🔽
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/2026/09/10/r...
Restoring public confidence in drinking water after wildfires | UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
UCLA-led workshop with more than 50 experts identifies communications, research…
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu
September 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Did you want >20k words on "Restoring public confidence in drinking water after wildfires"
You are in luck🔽
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/2026/09/10/r...
You are in luck🔽
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/2026/09/10/r...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
There's basically a regional construction moratorium from June to September 2028, and starting in March around some venues. Are the unions working on the convention center and LAX also upset about losing work?
Where's the messaging about these things that LA's leaders have known for a decade?
Where's the messaging about these things that LA's leaders have known for a decade?
Trouble on the Olympics highway
Unions are not happy with California’s plan for managing highways in 2028.
www.politico.com
September 10, 2026 at 3:39 PM
There's basically a regional construction moratorium from June to September 2028, and starting in March around some venues. Are the unions working on the convention center and LAX also upset about losing work?
Where's the messaging about these things that LA's leaders have known for a decade?
Where's the messaging about these things that LA's leaders have known for a decade?
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Billions in federal funding to build EV charging stations is on the ropes. But just what are Americans getting for that money? We hit the road in an electric Chevy to find out.
Pennsylvania Is Building More EV Chargers. Will Drivers Come? - Inside Climate News
An electric road trip across Pennsylvania—a state that’s spending big on its charging network—shows early promise.
insideclimatenews.org
September 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Billions in federal funding to build EV charging stations is on the ropes. But just what are Americans getting for that money? We hit the road in an electric Chevy to find out.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
“The kids are sitting there sucking those fumes" - my @lapublicpress.bsky.social investigation into cancer-causing soil vapor gases threatening kids at Jordan High in Watts, and the decades long story of regulatory failure and judicial indifference leading here. @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social
Explosions, cancer-causing gases: How regulators failed Jordan High students for decades
Three separate Atlas explosions and cancer risks the LA County DA’s office calls 48-times above health standards threaten the Watts school.
lapublicpress.org
September 10, 2026 at 2:31 PM
“The kids are sitting there sucking those fumes" - my @lapublicpress.bsky.social investigation into cancer-causing soil vapor gases threatening kids at Jordan High in Watts, and the decades long story of regulatory failure and judicial indifference leading here. @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social