@mckelmer

Anthropocene gal. Enviro/sci reporter @voiceofsandiego, @journomack.bsky.social - @Scripps_Ocean alum. More journalism, less bullshit.

 San Diego, CA
voiceofsandiego.org/category/newsletters/environment-report/
Joined April 2009
  • Tweets15.6K
  • Following3.3K
  • Followers3.6K
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I sued the federal government to turn over records about a border wall the first @realDonaldTrump admin planned to build through the notoriously polluted Tijuana River. I found out that Mexico alleged the wall violated treaties: voiceofsandiego.org/2025/02/… @voiceofsandiego

Mexico Said River Border Wall Broke Treaties. The US Built it Anyway.

Experts warn Customs and Border Protection’s wall through the Tijuana River will eventually cause catastrophic flooding in both nations. The IBWC was the only agency with the power to stop it.  

voiceofsandiego.org
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Hilarious that every news outlet got this wrong from @CAgovernor. Newsom didn't dedicate $46 million toward Tijuana River. The news is that applications are open for border river projects, that's it. The New River is also competing for funding. apnews.com/article/tijuana-r… @ap

Newsom opens millions of dollars of voter-approved funding to help address Tijuana River pollution

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday he is deploying $46 million in voter-approved funding to help clean up the Tijuana River and the New River at the California-Mexico border.

apnews.com
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MacKenzie Elmer retweeted
Lee Zeldin
@epaleezeldinMay 11
New in @BreitbartNews: “Exclusive — EPA Chief Lee Zeldin to Boost Reshoring, Manufacturing, AI Development by Streamlining Permitting”   I just signed a new proposed definition of “Begin Actual Construction”, which will allow building to start on many aspects of projects while permits are pursued for other aspects of the project. This is basic common sense. If finalized, no longer will the entire project have to wait for the permit, which will save precious time and money. breitbart.com/politics/2026/…
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MacKenzie Elmer retweeted
Lisa Halverstadt@LisaHalverstadtMay 7
🧵Backers of a proposed @SanDiegoCounty sales tax-hike likely to make the November ballot are selling it as a major solution the Tijuana sewage crisis. @mckelmer's story digging into those claims leads today's Voice of San Diego news blast. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/05/…

Morning Report: New Tax for What, Again?

Supporters of a countywide half-cent sales tax hike on the November ballot have zeroed in on a catchy sales pitch to voters. The measure, they say, will generate up to […]

voiceofsandiego.org
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Let it be known, city of San Diego, your parking pay station in front of the county building will not accept any form of payment. So if I get a ticket while doing my job, I’m using this in my appeal. Esp since SDPD took our media passes away.
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While San Diego sells excess water supplies, this Arizona town will be out of water by July. kjzz.org/science/2026-04-17/… @awhager

This small Arizona town could run out of water as soon as this summer

Kearny could go dry in July thanks to drought on the Gila River and an old legal agreement.

kjzz.org
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I’ll be on 89.5FM KPBS @ 12:15 today talking about State Sen. Padilla’s proposed bill to put stricter limits on toxic gas emanating from the Tijuana River. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/04/…

Environment Report: Tijuana River's Toxic Gas Gets Legislated

State Sen. Steve Padilla is running a bill to strengthen regulations for toxic hydrogen sulfide gas.

voiceofsandiego.org
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Maryland limited its utilities’ ability to set multi-year rates where they forecast expected spending in an effort to keep costs under control. California’s investor-owned utilities do this, too. utilitydive.com/news/marylan…

Maryland General Assembly passes rate relief measure to lower utility bills by $150/year

The bill reflects growing concerns among U.S. regulators and policymakers about the level of utility spending and how that affects affordability, an equity analyst said.

utilitydive.com
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Watching a drought webinar from @NOAA. U.S. federal scientists now say "human-driven warming" instead of "climate change." Honestly, I prefer that term. Much more specific and accurate.
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More like 12:30 -- kpbs.org/podcasts/kpbs-round…

KPBS Roundtable

Hosted by Andrew Bracken, KPBS Roundtable offers perspectives from those who tell San Diego’s stories. Join us for a weekly discussion with reporters, adding depth and context to the headlines...

kpbs.org
MacKenzie Elmer@mckelmerMar 13
I’ll be on @kpbs with @tijuanapress talking about Mexicali farmers’ complaint they haven’t been fully paid for giving up Colorado River water at noon. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/02/…

Mexican Farmers Gave Up Water to Protect the Colorado River. They Claim Payment Is Still Due. 

Mexicali farmers say they are still owed money as part of an international agreement in which they agreed to not use Colorado River water.

voiceofsandiego.org
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I’ll be on @kpbs with @tijuanapress talking about Mexicali farmers’ complaint they haven’t been fully paid for giving up Colorado River water at noon. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/02/…

Mexican Farmers Gave Up Water to Protect the Colorado River. They Claim Payment Is Still Due. 

Mexicali farmers say they are still owed money as part of an international agreement in which they agreed to not use Colorado River water.

voiceofsandiego.org
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Broken parking meter in front of defunct 101 Ash-City Hall such a “now” problem in San Diego.
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I am dizzy from the amount of info on this San Diego Community Power flyer. I would have hated to be in that meeting…how do we explain ourselves on a 4x11? HOW?
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I talked with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s newly-retired curator of birds and mammals on a lifetime of telling local stories through winged creatures, AI and dwindling human connection to nature. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/03/…

Environment Report: A Conversation with San Diego’s ‘Bird Wizard’ 

The Natural History Museum’s newly-retired curator of birds and mammals on a lifetime of telling stories through winged creatures. 

voiceofsandiego.org
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Mexican farmers gave up their water to help protect the drying Colorado River. But they claim they still haven’t been paid in full. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/02/…

Mexican Farmers Gave Up Water to Protect the Colorado River. They Claim Payment Is Still Due. 

Mexicali farmers say they are still owed money as part of an international agreement in which they agreed to not use Colorado River water.

voiceofsandiego.org
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San Diego police have started sending helicopters to break up college parties near the @SDSU campus. Our reporting intern Rami Alarian investigates why. @voiceofsandiego.org voiceofsandiego.org/2026/02/…

Why Police Helicopters Are Breaking Up College Parties

San Diego Police say helicopters are almost always flying over city airspace and can be used to support policing any crime.

voiceofsandiego.org
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MacKenzie Elmer retweeted
CBS 8 San Diego@CBS8Feb 7
A waved albatross, rarely seen outside the Galapagos, was spotted near San Diego. This extraordinary sighting left Dr. Tammy Russell in awe. cbs8.com/article/news/local/…

Rare waved albatross spotted off California coast during San Diego research trip

Scientists weren’t expecting this at sea, and what happened next left one researcher laughing and crying on the ship’s deck.

cbs8.com
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MacKenzie Elmer retweeted
Lee Zeldin
@epaleezeldinFeb 5
Great to be back in San Diego today. Since my first visit as EPA Administrator last spring, we secured a new binding agreement with Mexico to implement a permanent, 100% solution to the decades old Tijuana River Sewage Crisis. On top of last year’s successfully fast tracked completion of upgraded capacity at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, MANY Mexico side infrastructure projects are slated for completion with expedited timelines in 2026 and 2027 (with one in 2028) to fully implement the agreement and solution.
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One of CA's biggest government-run electricity-buying orgs stockpiled over half a billion dollars in customer cash, but hasn't used it to lower rates. They raised rates this year. They blame an obligation to pay off SDG&E's contracts: voiceofsandiego.org/2026/02/… @voiceofsandiego

Environment Report: Why San Diego Community Power Is Stockpiling Cash

The region’s government-run electricity buyer has over half a billion in its rainy-day fund but hasn’t used any of it to lower rates. Here’s why. 

voiceofsandiego.org
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MacKenzie Elmer retweeted
NWS San Diego
@NWSSanDiegoJan 25
High temperatures will warm throughout the upcoming week with a mix of sun and clouds. #CAwx
Warmer weather will occur through the upcoming week with highs 5 to 10 degrees above average by the end of the week.

ALT Warmer weather will occur through the upcoming week with highs 5 to 10 degrees above average by the end of the week.

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USIBWC Commissioner McIntosh was just informed by @cilamexico Commissioner Resendez that repairs have been completed on the Insurgentes Collector wastewater system and flows to the Tijuana River have stopped. @cilamexico is monitoring the system to make sure everything is working as it should. The #USIBWC appreciates Mexico’s urgency in completing this project in 3 days instead of the 10 days they originally estimated repairs could take.
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