Natural resources and environment reporter

Paul Rogers

Paul Rogers is the Bay Area News Group natural resources and environment reporter. He has covered a wide range of issues for The Mercury News and East Bay Times since 1989, including water, oceans, energy, logging, parks, endangered species, toxics and climate change. He also has worked as managing editor of the Science team at KQED, the PBS and NPR station in San Francisco, and has taught science writing at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz.

California water supplies are in good shape, experts say, as more snow heads for the Sierra this weekend.

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Environment |
Sierra Nevada snowpack ‘unusually normal’ and reservoirs are brimming as winter season winds down

April 1, 2024 at 2:10 p.m.

California water supplies are in good shape, experts say, as more snow heads for the Sierra this weekend.

There are eight major bridges across San Francisco Bay, and more than 2,800 large ships come into the bay every year

Crashes and Disasters |
Baltimore bridge disaster: Could it happen here?

March 28, 2024 at 4:58 a.m.

There are eight major bridges across San Francisco Bay, and more than 2,800 large ships come into the bay every year

$205 million from Congress is latest boost for Sites Reservoir. But can it overcome opposition?

Environment |
California’s largest new reservoir project in 50 years gains momentum

March 18, 2024 at 3:58 p.m.

$205 million from Congress is latest boost for Sites Reservoir. But can it overcome opposition?

Atmospheric river storm to hit Bay Area Wednesday and boost mountain snow, which is below normal but trending up

Environment |
Sierra Nevada snowpack triples in past month, more storms on the way

January 30, 2024 at 4:58 p.m.

Atmospheric river storm to hit Bay Area Wednesday and boost mountain snow, which is below normal but trending up

Newsom's budget finds $30 billion in the seat cushions to shrink projected deficit from $68 billion to $37.9 billion.

Gov. Newsom’s budget plan shrinks deficit to $37.9 billion, solves without major cuts, tax hikes

January 10, 2024 at 5:29 p.m.

Newsom's budget finds $30 billion in the seat cushions to shrink projected deficit from $68 billion to $37.9 billion.

Proceeds would raise money for state parks, but only if 7,500 people sign up by May 31

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Environment |
San Francisco 49ers license plate needs 4,800 more orders or the DMV won’t print it

January 8, 2024 at 6:58 a.m.

Proceeds would raise money for state parks, but only if 7,500 people sign up by May 31

Oil tankers, car carriers will have to cut soot that affects Oakland, Richmond, LA and San Diego.

Environment |
New rules approved to reduce air pollution from ships at California ports

October 21, 2023 at 4:00 a.m.

Oil tankers, car carriers will have to cut soot that affects Oakland, Richmond, LA and San Diego.

Rains will reduce fire risk and smoke, forecasters say

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Weather |
First atmospheric river storm of the season heading into Northern California, bringing rain

September 22, 2023 at 4:14 p.m.

Rains will reduce fire risk and smoke, forecasters say

Huge winter rains and snow are continuing to reduce fire risk, experts say.

Environment |
Why California is having its best wildfire season in 25 years

February 6, 2024 at 6:32 a.m.

Huge winter rains and snow are continuing to reduce fire risk, experts say.

Landmark road, a favorite of Yosemite visitors, had been buried under 15 feet of snow and ice

Environment |
Yosemite: Tioga Road will finally open Saturday into park’s snow-filled high country, the latest in more than 90 years

July 20, 2023 at 9:15 a.m.

Landmark road, a favorite of Yosemite visitors, had been buried under 15 feet of snow and ice