>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS THURSDAY, MARCH 3.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.. WE BEGIN WITH A PAINFUL SHARED EXPERIENCE THAT COMES FROM THE GAS STATION.

RECORDS KEEP FALLING IS PUMP PRICES KEEP RISING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SAYS THAT LEGISLATORS ARE BEING ASKED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

IT >> Reporter: AT THE AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON HAS LAUNCHED ITS LATEST INCREASE, UP EIGHT CENTS TO $4.97 PER GALLON.

STORIES ABOUT HIGH GASOLINE PRICES INCLUDE INTERVIEWS WITH DRIVERS AT THE PUMP WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT THE PRICES BUT WE ALREADY KNOW MOST OF YOU DO NOT LIKE THESE PRICES.

SO WE ARE FOCUSED ON IDEAS FROM DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SAN DIEGO CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE SHANE HARRISON WANTS THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY THAT WOULD ALLOW HIM TO SUSPEND THE STATE GAS TAX FOR UP TO 90 DAYS.

>> IT IS ABOUT THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE IN THE URBAN INNER-CITY THAT WILL STRUGGLE EVER TYPICAL TO THE PUMP.

>> Reporter: THE UNFOLDING DISASTER IN UKRAINE IS GETTING A LOT OF BLAME FOR THE RECENT SURGE IN PRICES AND HARRIS SAYS THAT IS WHAT SPURRED HIM TO AT BUT CALLS TO SUSPEND THE TAX ARE NOT NEW.

>> I WANT TO SUSPEND THE TAX BECAUSE GAS PRICES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH.

>> Reporter: KEVIN KILEY OF THE SUBURBS WEST OF SACRAMENTO HAS INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WAS SUSPEND THE STATE TAX FOR SIX MONTHS.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS TALKING ABOUT A $60 BILLION SURPLUS.

THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS GIVE CALIFORNIANS JUST, TEMPORARILY, ALTHOUGH I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT BE PERMANENT, SOME RELIEF.

>> Reporter: THAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS AGREED TO SUSPEND THE NEXT HIKE IN THE GASOLINE TAX BUT THAT IS ONLY THREE CENTS.

WHEN WE ASKED SAN DIEGO STATE SENATOR TONY ATKINS ABOUT HER OFFICE SAYS, "SHE WILL EVALUATE PROPOSALS IN THE STATE FINANCIAL CONDITION IN THE COMING MONTHS."

FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF AN ECONOMIST, SUPPORT FOR SUSPENDING THE TAX.

>> THE MONEY FROM THE GAS TAX IS USED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BUT THE STATE RUNNING A HUGE SURPLUS , THAT SURPLUS CAN BE DIRECTED TO REPLACING THE GASOLINE TAX FUNDS.

>> Reporter: EVEN IF THE TAX IS SUSPENDED ESTIMATES SAY WE COULD SEE A HIKE BETWEEN 50-75% IN THE COMING WEEKS.

GOBBLING UP A TECH SUSPENSION SAVINGS PUTTING US BACK IN THE POSITION WE ARE IN NOW.

I AM JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN LOS ANGELES, GASOLINE PRICES SURGED TO FIVE DOLLARS PER GALLON.

THE AVERAGE PRICE IT'S AT $5.01 TODAY BUT SOME LA GAS STATIONS ARE CHARGING $60 AND EVEN SEVEN DOLLARS PER GALLON.

THEY SAY THE SURGE IN PRICES IS BROUGHT ON BY THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE.

>>> MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE FLED UKRAINE TO ESCAPED THE ESCALATING VIOLENCE.

AS ISABEL ROSALES TELLS US, DELEGATIONS FROM RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ARE MEETING TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE CEASE-FIRE.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE ESCAPING THE VIOLENCE IN UKRAINE.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS.

>> UKRAINIANS ARE OUR FAMILY.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE WAR.

WE JUST WANT PEACE.

>> Reporter: THIS AS RUSSIA CONTINUES ITS ASSAULT ON KEY UKRAINIAN CITIES.

>> WE HAVE CONTINUOUS SHELLING OVER 26 HOURS.

THEY ARE DESTROYING OUR CITIES.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE WATER SUPPLY OR SANITARY SYSTEM.

AND WE DO NOT HAVE HEAT.

>> Reporter: A SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS RUSSIAN FORCES HAVE SHOWN A WILLINGNESS TO HIT CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE ON PURPOSE.

>> THEY ARE HURTING AND KILLING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

IT IS A NIGHTMARE.

>> Reporter: DELEGATIONS ARE MEETING AMID THE VIOLENCE AND ON THE AGENDA IS A CEASE-FIRE.

AN ARMISTICE AND CREATING HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS FOR THE EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS.

>> IT IS AWFUL.

WE ARE CRYING ALL THE TIME.

IT IS A HARD SITUATION.

>> THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS OFFERING TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS.

IN WASHINGTON I AM ISABEL ROSALES, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CASH, BICYCLE HELMETS AND EVEN BULLETPROOF VESTS ARE AMONG THE DONATIONS POURING INTO THE HOUSE OF UKRAINE IN BALBOA PARK.

KPBS REPORTER KITTY ALVARADO HAS MORE.

>> I HAVE PRAYED OVER THIS HAT .

>> Reporter: HE WAS MOVED TO DONATE THIS MILITARY GRADE HELMET.

AFTER SEEING PEOPLE IN UKRAINE DEFENDING THEIR COUNTRY.

>> YOU SEE PEOPLE STANDING IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF VEHICLES WITH THE PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: HE BROUGHT THEM TO THE HOUSE OF UKRAINE AT BALBOA PARK.

THERE AN EFFORT IS THERE TO HELP THOSE STAYING BEHIND IN A COUNTRY WHERE THEY ARE BEING BOMBED AROUND THE CLOCK.

>> NOBODY JUST SITS AND DOES NOTHING.

>> Reporter: A VOLUNTEER AT THE HOUSE OF UKRAINE SAYS THEY ESPECIALLY NEED IT GENTLY USED MILITARY GRADE ARMOR, HELMETS AND BOOTS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO FIGHT IN UKRAINE BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE PROTECTION.

THEY COULD BE KILLED ANY TIME.

>> Reporter: AMONG THEM, HER OWN FAMILY.

>> BECAUSE OF BOMBING, KIDS ARE SCARED.

I PRAY EVERY DAY.

AND I AM SCARED BECAUSE, THEY DON'T HAVE A BOMB SHELTER.

>> Reporter: WALTER SCRANTON SAYS HE KNOWS HOW UGLY WAR CAN BE AND WAS COMPELLED TO COME AND BRING IN A BULLETPROOF VEST HE HAD IN HIS STASH.

>> IT IS HAVE A.

>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.

>> I HOPE IT WILL HELP SOMEBODY.

IT IS A HORRIBLE SITUATION.

IT REALLY IS.

BUT THEY WILL SEE IT THROUGH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAY I HUG YOU?

>> YES.

>>> THESE DONATIONS WILL HELP ORDINARY PEOPLE FIGHT FOR ANOTHER DAY.

JUST LIKE HIS COUSIN WHO WANT PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT JUST HOW MUCH THAT MEANS TO THEM.

>> SHE WAS REALLY, SHE WAS REALLY GRATEFUL.

>> Reporter: DONATIONS GIVEN FROM THE HEART AND ACCEPTED WITH LOVE FOR UKRAINE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> I AM KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT KPBS IS FOLLOWING THE WAR ON UKRAINE ON ALL OF THE PLATFORMS.

LOCAL COVERAGE ON EARLY AND MIDDAY ADDITION IS SUPPLEMENTED WITH THE LATEST FROM NPR AND PBS NEWS HOUR.

IT IS ALL AVAILABLE ON WWW.KPBS.ORG AND THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WANTS TO FORCE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES INTO LONG- TERM TREATMENT.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS CREATING WHAT HE CALLS A CARE COURT.

THOSE SUFFERING FROM DEVELOP DEBILITATING PSYCHOSIS COULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE A JUDGE AND FORCED INTO A LONG-TERM MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PROGRAM IN THE COUNTY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR IT.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYS THE STATE WILL STEP UP SUPPORT.

>> IF THE BUDGET IS APPROVED THIS YEAR WE WILL HAVE SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY FOR 33,000 NEW BEDS AND PLACEMENTS.

CLINICALLY SUPPORTED NEW BEDS AND PLACEMENTS.

>>> SOME MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE BEEN WEARY OF EXPANDING THE STATE ABILITY TO FORCE PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT.

AT THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR, TODD GLORIA SAYS, THE STATUS QUO WAS NOT WORKING.

>> GOVERNMENT AT EVERY LEVEL HAS ALLOWED THOSE THAT STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IT TO LANGUISH UNTREATED ON OUR STREETS CYCLING BETWEEN JAILS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS.

WITH LITTLE HOPE OF EVER GETTING THE CARE THAT THEY TRULY AND DESPERATELY NEED.

>>> STATE OFFICIALS EXPECT BETWEEN 7000 AND 12,000 PEOPLE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FORCED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

AT THAT IS A MINORITY OF THE POPULATION ALTHOUGH THE SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL ARE OFTEN THE MOST VISIBLE.

THE GOVERNOR HOPES THE PLAN CAN WIN APPROVAL FROM STATE LAWMAKERS BY JUNE WITH A ROLLOUT TARGETED FOR JANUARY.

I AM AT ANDREW BOWEN FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY JAILS ARE BEING CONDEMNED FOR 185 DEATHS OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

KPBS REPORTER CRISTINA KIM HAS THE LATEST .

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGANS FOR JUSTICE HAS ESTABLISHED THE COMMISSION OF POLICE PRACTICES.

IT IS TAKING ON THE CITIZEN LAW ENFORCEMENT BOARD.

IT OVERSEES THE SHERIFF AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT.

TODAY THE GROUP RELEASED A NEW STUDY THAT OUTLINES HOW THEY CAN BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND EFFECTIVE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS EXPANDING JURISDICTION BEYOND DEPUTIES.

SPACKLE FOR US TO BE LIMITED TO ONLY INVESTIGATING ALLEGED WRONGDOINGS BY DEPUTIES IS LIMITING.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AGAINST ALL STAFF.

>> Reporter: A REPORT SHOWS THAT CLEG FAILED TO INVESTIGATE 77% OF ALL IN CUSTODY DEATHS.

>> THE COMMUNITY HAS SUFFERED.

NOT ONLY IN INCONVENIENCE BUT THE LOSS OF LIFE.

>> THERE OPEN AND COMMITTED TO CHANGES.

>>> IF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT THE BEST OVERSIGHT WE HAVE TO EXPAND THE MODEL THAT WE HAVE.

RIGHT NOW EVERYTHING IS BASED ON A COMPLAINT.

>> Reporter: THEY HOPE TO HAVE CLERG BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO DO THE APPROPRIATE OVERSIGHT.

>> Reporter: ANYTHING THAT EXPANDS THE JURISDICTION OF CLERG WILL NEED A VOTE FROM THE WORD OF SUPERVISORS.

I AM CRISTINA KIM FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE TRIAL CONTINUES IN THE CASE OF NAVAL OFFICERS WHO ACCEPTED LAVISH GIFTS IN REPAIR FOR A IN TRADE FOR GOVERNMENT REPAIR WORK.

29 PEOPLE IN TOTAL HAVE ADMITTED TO PROVIDING LEONARD GLENN FLAT FRANCIS INFORMATION AS WELL AS FUNNELING REPAIR WORK TO HIS COMPANY.

>>> ACTIVISTS IN MEXICO ARE CRITICIZING THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THE MURDER CASES OF TWO IT TIJUANA JOURNALISTS.

ESTOPPELS A LEASE HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED THE ARREST OF THREE MEN WHO WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO THE DEATHS OF TWO JOURNALISTS.

NOT MUCH ELSE HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC.

PROSECUTORS HAVE NOT SAID WHAT INFORMATION THEY HAVE OR WHAT WEAPONS WERE USED IN THE DEATHS OF THE JOURNALISTS.

LOCAL REPORTERS SAY THAT THE PUBLIC IS BEING KEPT IN THE DARK.

98% OF ALL VIOLENT CRIMES IN NEW MEXICO ARE NOT REPORTED.

THERE IS A REPEATED PATTERN OF AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCING BIG ARRESTS AND THEN NOTHING HAPPENS.

THEY SAY THAT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY DOES NOT INSPIRE CONFIDENCE THAT JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.

GUSTAVE US A LEASE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PARENTS OF 216 CHILDREN SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES OF THE BORDER UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STILL HAVE NOT BEEN FOUND ACCORDING TO A FEDERAL COURT FILING.

125 CHILDREN HAVE REJOINED PARENTS SINCE THE EFFORT WAS ANNOUNCED.

A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 3000 CHILDREN WERE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AT THE BORDER UNDER TRUMP.

>>> A SIGN THAT COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS ARE ON THE DECLINE IN SAN DIEGO.

THE COMMUNITY LEVELS MAP WAS UPDATED IN SAN DIEGO IS NOW LISTED AS LOW SO MASKS ARE NO LONGER RECOMMENDED INDOORS.

THEY SHOULD STILL BE WORN BY THOSE WITH SYMPTOMS OR WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED OR HAVE A POSITIVE TEST.

THE PLAN IS TO GET BACK TO LIFE LIKE IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: DE RON BIRD THIS AND THIS?

AND EVEN THIS?

THE WHITE HOUSE IS YOU MIGHT GET TO ENJOY THOSE THINGS WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY AS MUCH ABOUT COVID-19.

SPOKE FIRST, PROTECT AGAINST AND TREAT COVID-19.

SECOND, PREPARE FOR ANY NEW VARIANTS.

THIRD, PREVENT ECONOMIC AND SCHOOL SHUTDOWNS.

FOURTH, VACCINATE THE WORLD AND SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: LET'S BREAK THOSE DOWN.

PHARMACIES ARE PREPARING TEST TO TREAT INITIATIVES.

THEY WILL OFFER FREE TESTS.

IF PROVED IF YOU ARE POSITIVE YOU WILL GO HOME WITH ANTIVIRAL MEDICATION FREE.

>> WE WILL WORK WITH PERSONNEL TO UPDATE THE VACCINES QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: THEY WANTED TO BE UP TO GO TO WORK AND SEND YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL WITHOUT SHUTDOWNS.

THE U.S. CONTINUES A PUSH FOR MORE VACCINATIONS WORLDWIDE.

ON TOP OF THAT PLAN OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING LETTING YOU FLY WITHOUT A MASK.

THE MANDATE EXPIRES MARCH 18.

>> TRANSPORTATION IS AN ARENA WHERE MANY OF US ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO PUT PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS BEHIND US.

>> Reporter: THE MASK MANDATE MIGHT END.

>> WHEN WE SEE NUMBERS DRAW TWO LEVELS WHERE WE CAN BE SAFE, WE WILL GET THERE.

>> Reporter: I'M AMY KYLIE REPORTING.

>>> CREWS ARE GETTING AN UPPER HAND ON A FIRE IN THE CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST.

IT IS BURNING ALONG THE ORANGE AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY AREAS.

CREWS ARE HOPING RAIN AND COLDER TEMPERATURES MOVIE IN WILL HELP PUT THE FIRE OUT.

NO STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN THREATENED AND THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> HAPPY THURSDAY EVERYONE AND THANK YOU, FOR TUNING INTO KPBS NEWS.

I AM A MARVIN GOMEZ.

WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT IN THE WEATHER BECAUSE OF A STORM SYSTEM THAT WILL BRING 1-2 INCHES OF RAIN.

MOST OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL BE CHILLY AND UNSETTLED CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND.

CHECK OUT THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES.

THERE IN EFFECT ALL THE WAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.

MOST OF THOSE ALERTS AND ADVISORIES ARE FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4500 FEET.

WE DO HAVE WINTER WEATHER ALERTS ELSEWHERE THOUGH.

LOOKING AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY, IN MOUNT LAGUNA, WE ARE EXPECTING IT-12 INCHES OF SNOW.

IN THE VALLEYS OF THE DESERTS, ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, WIND GUSTS ARE EXPECTED TO BEAT BETWEEN 40-50 MILES PER HOUR.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT THE FORECAST.

UNSETTLED CONDITIONS AND THE WET WEATHER IS PRESSING IN.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT THE FUTURECAST WITH ALL OF THE RAIN THAT IS GOING TO COME ACROSS THE AREA.

WAKING UP FRIDAY MORNING WE COULD BE LOOKING AT POCKETS OF HEAVY RAIN FOR MOST OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

UNSETTLED WEATHER IS EXPECTED MOST OF THE DAY.

HIGH TEMPERATURES FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLIMBING UP TO 64 DEGREES.

UMBRELLAS WILL BE NEEDED IN MOST OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY IN PLACES LIKE MOUNT LAGUNA.

THIS IS ONE OF THE SPOTS WHERE WE WILL SEE SNOW FALLING.

SATURDAY, WE HAVE ANOTHER PIECE OF ENERGY COMING INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THAT WILL BE BRINGING A LITTLE BIT OF UNSETTLED CONDITIONS FOR US ALONG THE COAST.

FOR THE SECOND ARE THE FIRST TO AND THE WEEKEND, MORE QUIET WEATHER IS EXPECTED FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND.

EARLY NEXT WEEK, THE WEATHER PATTERN LOOKS DIFFERENT.

WE ARE SEEING SOME SUNSHINE ON MONDAY BUT THEN WE HAVE GOT TO GET THROUGH ROUNDS OF RAIN AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ON FRIDAY ACROSS THE AREA.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, WE WILL HAVE RAIN AND SNOW.

AND ON SATURDAY WE WILL BE TRACKING SNOW AND ACROSS THE DESERTS, FRIDAY, THAT WILL BE THE DAY FOR US TO SEE SHOWERS.

THE HIGH ON SATURDAY ONLY CLIMBING UP TO 59 DEGREES.

I AM IT METEOROLOGIST MARVIN GOMEZ WITH KPBS NEWS.

>>> AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT 3000 FEWER STUDENTS.

THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT HAS ORDERED A FREEZE TO THE ENROLLMENT THERE TO STAY AT THE SAME LEVEL FROM THE 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR.

THE MOVE WAS A DENIAL OF A PETITION FROM AN EARLIER RULING OUT A HIGHER COURT WHERE A FROM A GROUP CALLED SAVE BERKELEY NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEY FILED SUIT TO HOUSING, TRAFFIC AND NOISE.

>>> THE COMPANY THAT MANY BLAME FOR KILLING BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORES ARE CLOSING ITS RETAIL LOCATIONS.

AMAZON IS CLOSING DOWN ALL OF IT SET BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORES.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT WILL STAY IN THE GROCERY BUSINESS IN A BIG WAY WITH WHOLE FOODS, AMAZON FRESH AND AMAZON GO.

>>> CALIFORNIA HAS AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR MAKING CARS ZERO CARBON EMISSION AND THAT MEANS MORE ELECTRIC CARS AND CAR BATTERIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE REUSED OR RECYCLED.

OUR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REPORTER HAS THE STORY.

>>> A LAB AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY IS FILLED WITH BUNDLES OF WIRES.

THIS BLACK STEEL CASE, WHICH CONTAINS ABOUT 300 CELLS WEIGHS MORE THAN 1000 POUNDS.

IT IS A MAKE ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY THAT ONCE INHABITED A NISSAN LEAF.

IMAGINE ABOUT 1 MILLION BATTERY CASES LIKE THIS BEING DUMPED INTO THE RECYCLING STREAM EVERY YEAR AS ELECTRIC VEHICLES REACH THE END OF THEIR LIVES.

THAT IS WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN ALL-NEW CARS SOLD IN CALIFORNIA MUST BE ZERO CARBON EMISSION.

THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION IS FUNDING PROJECTS TO REPURPOSE ELECTRIC CAR BATTERIES.

TWO PRODUCT PROJECTS ARE HAPPENING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND ONE IS RIGHT HERE IN THE ENGINEERING BUILDING AT SAN DIEGO STATE.

>> SOME DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER OR ENERGY CAPACITY.

>> Reporter: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSOR CHRIS ME IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REUSE THESE BATTERIES.

>> IF YOU EXTEND THE LIFE IT COULD DELAY THE LIFECYCLE.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE SPEAKS ABOUT USING THE BATTERIES FOR ENERGY STORAGE HE IS TALKING ABOUT STORING SOLAR ENERGY.

THAT WOULD TURN CAR BATTERIES INTO SOLAR ENERGY BANKS FOR BUSINESSES AND AGENCIES THAT CAN MAKE WITHDRAWALS WHEN THE SUN DOES NOT SHINE.

WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT THE LIFECYCLE, IT IS A COMPLEX STORY OF ENERGY GENERATION AND ENERGY INPUT TO MAKE THE BATTERY.

YOU HAVE TO MIND THE MATERIALS THEN YOU HAVE TO MANUFACTURE IT.

ITS FIRST LIFE COMES AS AN EV BATTERY.

THE SECOND LIFE COULD BE A BANK FOR POWER.

KEVIN WOOD, PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IS WORKING ON THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT THAT IS FUNDED BY THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION.

HE SAYS LITHIUM ION BATTERIES COULD BE RECYCLED BUT THEY STILL HAVE 60-80% OF THEIR ENERGY LIFE LEFT.

>> SO WHY NOT TRY AND UTILIZE THOSE BATTERIES AND USE THOSE SYSTEMS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE?

AND USE THOSE FOR ENERGY STORAGE.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS LEADING THE WAY IN THE USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

CALIFORNIA HAS 10% OF THE NATIONS CARS BUT 40% OF ALL ZERO EMISSION CARS.

CAROLYN GOD CAN IS THE PRESIDENT OF ENERGY POLICY AT THE EPA.

THEY SAY THE ELEMENTS EVENTUALLY NEED TO BE RECYCLED.

EVENTUALLY BUT THERE IS ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO RECYCLE THEM.

>> THIS IS A SOURCE FOR THESE MATERIALS.

TO BE PUT BACK INTO, PUT BACK INTO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

>> Reporter: SCIENTISTS SAY ONE KEY ISSUES IN THIS MAKING BATTERY REUSE FINANCIALLY ECONOMICAL.

THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE USED FOR ENERGY STORAGE IN JOIN UP CHINA.

IT MAY NOT MAKE SENSE FOR SOMEBODY TO BUY A USED BATTERY WHEN A NEW ONE WILL NOT COST AS MUCH.

>> SUSTAINABILITY CAN SOMETIMES COST MORE MONEY.

>> THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGING DEBATES TO COME ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.

>> A LOT OF TIMES, COST WINS.

>>> THE CAR BATTERY ADVISORY GROUP EXPECTS TO FINALIZE THE REPORT ON REUSE AND RECYCLING OF BATTERIES THIS MONTH.

THEN IT WILL BE PASSED ON TO THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT NEW LAWS WILL FOLLOW.

SOME QUESTIONS REMAIN LIKE, WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REUSING AND RECYCLING THESE BATTERIES?

WOOD SAYS THIS IS A CHALLENGING DEBATE THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO HAVE WHEN ALL-NEW CARS IN CALIFORNIA WILL HAVE TO BE ZERO CARBON EMISSION.

I AM THOMAS FUTCH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND VERY FUN.

WHEN THE NCAA MARCH MADNESS BASKET WILL TOURNAMENT WAS CANCELED IN 2020 THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY STEPPED IN WITH A COMPETITION OF THEIR OWN.

MARCH MEOW-NESS STEPPED IN.

THE TOP 16 PETS IN THE TOP 16 WILDCARDS WILL MOVE ON TO THE MARCH MEOW-NESS BRACKETS AND THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN APRIL AND WILL GET A $250 TARGET GIFT CARD.

YOU CAN SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS NOW THROUGH MARCH 14.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY IS ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪