Ralph Vartabedian
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Contact Ralph
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Ralph:
Red tape ensnares L.A.'s plan to capture more storm water, despite $556 million raised
In 2018, L.A. County voters approved Measure W, a massive tax aimed at protecting beaches and improving water supply through storm water capture. Yet only $95.5 million has been disbursed for projects out of $556 million collected. → Read More
Hollywood Burbank Airport sues California's bullet train
Hollywood Burbank Airport filed a lawsuit seeking to block approval of an environmental report for the California high-speed rail project. → Read More
California bullet train estimates a $5 billion cost increase
In a new draft business plan, the California High-Speed Rail Authority acknowledged that costs have risen roughly $5 billion. → Read More
Key engineering firm ordered to stop work for BART during conflict of interest review
BART orders a key partner, San Francisco-based engineering firm PGH Wong, to stop all work pending a conflict of interest review. → Read More
Burbank officials fear bullet train will compromise airport safety and water supplies
Local officials warn of impacts from California high-speed rail project on Hollywood Burbank Airport and Burbank’s water supply. → Read More
State appeals court rejects long-standing challenge to California bullet train
A state appeals court has affirmed that the bullet train project did not violate the California Constitution with its segmented planning approach. → Read More
Biden infrastructure funds will help state bullet train, but not as much as boosters hoped
Amtrak is likely to be the biggest rail winner, getting the lion's share of $66 billion to upgrade the northeast corridor from Boston to Washington. → Read More
Bullet train leaves a trail of grief among the disadvantaged of the San Joaquin Valley
The California High-Speed Rail Project pledged to minimize impacts on low-income people, but many say the project has run roughshod through their communities. → Read More
Cost overruns hit California bullet train again amid a new financial crunch
The state's High-Speed Rail Authority faces at least $1 billion in more cost overruns from its contractors, at a time when its finances are highly complicated. → Read More
After this desert city faced dry taps, California rushed through emergency water funding
Officials in Needles feared the city could go dry but state officials have come through with a $2 million bailout. → Read More
Newsom and California lawmakers hit an impasse on financing bullet train
A battle to secure an additional $4.2 billion for the California bullet train has hit an impasse, with Gov. → Read More
Deadlines loom for California bullet train in its search for new funding
At a critical time, the California High-Speed Rail Authority is unsure about funding from the Legislature and President Biden's infrastructure plan. → Read More
California Democrats increasingly divided over bullet train
Some California legislators want to explore investing in battery-powered trains, an idea that Newsom and the state's two U.S. senators oppose. → Read More
Are Electric Trains the Future for the American Railroad?
Much will depend on the degree that regulators pressure railroads to clean up their emissions. In California, the state Air Resources Board wants railroads to reduce or even eliminate diesels in the next 14 years. → Read More
Battery-powered trains could be a climate game changer. Is everyone all aboard?
The rail industry is testing trains powered by fuel cells and lithium batteries. But it is resisting a switch from diesel locomotives due to costs. → Read More
Nearly $1 billion restored to California bullet train after Biden officials reverse Trump
The federal transportation agency agrees to restore nearly $1 billion in funding for high-speed rail, but the project is still in a deep funding hole. → Read More
Unions face big test with California's troubled bullet train
Organized labor has provided crucial support for the high-speed rail project, discouraging any straying from California's current plan. → Read More
No. 2 executive at California bullet train agency out after long investigation
Joe Hedges, the chief operating officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, has left the agency after a lengthy investigation. → Read More
California bullet train isn't the jobs creator some claim
Banners in the Central Valley proclaim thousands of jobs created by the high-speed rail project. The real numbers are more complicated. → Read More
Bullet train contractor warns of further two-year delay as state struggles to secure land
A business plan approved by the California High-Speed Rail Authority last week did not account for a contractor's warning of a two-year delay. → Read More