The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 13

AA4 Caravan com Since1952 COSTA RICA 10Day Tour 995 tax fees Available at Caravan com. USA, Canada, Panama tours from 995 to 1,295. Free Brochure, Call 1-800-CARAVAN. by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a 2009 executive order, now goes to the it is expected to pass.

Supporters said the target for renewables would put California ahead of the rest of the country in green- energy use. It was also a key plank in Gov. Jerry campaign platform last year, but he has not made a final decision on supporting the measure. The governor closely consider any bill that reaches his said spokesman Evan Westrup. patrick.mcgreevy Building the facilities needed to generate and transmit solar, wind and geothermal energy could require an investment of $115 billion, the PUC has estimated.

Simitian said that would create 100,000 to 200,000 new jobs. Most Republicans voted against the measure Thursday. But GOP Sens. Tony Strickland of Moorpark and Sharon Runner of Lancaster crossed party lines to support it. Runner predicted many of the new solar and wind-power jobs would go to the High Desert sections of her district, where unemployment is high.

The bill, which would give the force of law to a target set vide half his power from re- newables for just $3 amonth extra. In a report two years ago, the California Public Utilities Commission said energy costs would probablygo up 7.1% if a third of electricity came from renewable sources. A spokeswoman for the agency said Thursday that some renewable energy prices have since declined, so the increase would probably not be so high. But Sen. Roderick Wright (D-Inglewood) opposed the bill, saying it could max out supplies and increase electricity bills by to triggering another energy crisis in California.

Senate approves energy bill Energy, from Republican support to place the tax issue before the public. But many GOP lawmakers have said they want to see state regulations eased and public pensions revamped before even considering the tax proposal. They received a boost Thursday from the bipartisan Little Hoover Commission, a watchdog agency, which urged legislators to freeze pension benefits for current government workers. The commission also proposed capping future pensions and raising the retirement age for some state employees. The report, embraced by Republicans and critics of public retirement system, could become a blueprint for a GOP- backed pension proposal.

But a spokeswoman for the Service Employees International Union called the proposal unfair to workers and unwarranted by the For the first time Thursday, Brown seemed ready to include discussion of pension changes as part of the budget negotiations. He sparred with Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R- Dana Point), asking if she would support the tax package if it were coupled with a plan to curb pensions. serious, do Brown said. Harkey declined, and Brown burst back in: is your chance to make do something that they want to do. All you have to do is step up and do something you want to There were moments of levity during appearance.

While expressing disappointment at Republi- cans who have signed anti- tax pledges, he quipped that as a young seminary student he made vows of poverty, chastity and obedience that were later withdrawn. took the pope to do that, but I want you to know we can set up a process where we can dispense people from he said. Republican that wants a dispensation, they should come down to my anthony.york@latimes.com shane.goldmacher Times staff writer Marc Lifsher contributed to this report. Governor testifies before Legislature Budget, from has a deal that carries him through May 2012, although unclear now whether CBS will risk ordering the show again for next season. The series was supposed to return to production Monday after Sheen who earns nearly $2 million per episode completed an unusual home-based rehab program.

It was the second time in as many years that the show was forced to halt production due to the substance abuse problems. But producers believed there was still enough time left this season to complete four more episodes, as opposed to the eight more originally scheduled. But over the last few weeks, Sheenbeganan escalating series of tirades and bizarre behavior. Earlier this month, he told radio host Dan Patrick that he was ready to return to work but his employers He reportedly partied with baseball stars and headed on vacation with his estranged wife, a porn star and a third woman. Studio and network bosses, who had urged Sheen to enter rehab after a trip to the emergency room last month, relied on addiction specialists who said that the actor could return to work, with the proviso that he continue treatment for months afterward.

But the personal attack on Lorre pushed the studio to switch gears. Shortly after the network and studio announced that they would terminate the season, the gossip website Radaronline quoted Sheen as saying that he would allow itto film his drug test Monday. In a letter to TMZ issued after the network decision had been made, Sheen wrote of Lorre: I have defeated this earthworm with my words imagine what I would have done with my fire-breathing scott.collins@latimes.com Shutdown over rants Sheen, from Agiant rave that became caught up in a conflict-of-interest scandal even as it faced criticism that it bred drug abuse will not return this summer to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, officials said Thursday. Insomniac producer of the Electric Daisy Carnival, said in a statement that the Coliseum show has been and that the two-day rave would make its debut in Las Vegas on June 24, the same date of its scheduled fifth annual engagement here. The statement by Pasquale Rotella, the head of Insomniac, gave no hint of how long the postponement would be.

But he said he love nothing more than to have our events return to the Some Coliseum Commission members said Electric Daisy would probably not be coming back for the foreseeable future. Insomniac had lost support on the commission after The Times reported earlier this month that a Coliseum administrator who helped plan security and emergency medical services for last rave doubled as a paid consultant to the company. The 2010 Electric Daisy was marred by scores of drug-related arrests and trips to emergency rooms. A 15-year-old girl died from an Ecstasy overdose. probably made a good business decision for Commission President David Israel said of move.

writing on the wall was as clear as Israel withdrew his support for Electric Daisy after The Times disclosed that the events manager, Todd DeStefano, worked on the side for Insomniac. His dual employment had been approved by then-Commission General Manager Patrick Lynch, who resigned last week. ties to Insomniac are under investigation by the Los Angeles County district office and the state Fair Political Practices Commission. He has denied any wrongdoing. Commissioner Rick Caruso, a leading critic of raves, said upon hearing of the move.

He said the company had probably figured that the nine-member commission would not approve another contract for Electric Daisy. only thing that these rave events are good for is making Caruso said. I put the safety of our kids above making Insomniac has been staging raves at the Coliseum and the neighboring Sports Arena since the late 1990s. Raves have been a significant revenue source for the commission, a joint authority of the state and the city and county of Los Angeles. Israel estimated that last Electric Daisy, which drew an announced crowd of 185,000 over the two days, generated about $800,000 for the commission.

He said the financial loss could be eased by an extra game that football team, the main tenant, will play at the stadium this year. It was unclear whether development would affectthe other company that hosts raves at the Sports Arena, Go Ventures. The firm puts on the Love Festival in August and the Halloween-themed Monster Massive. Go Ventures has partnered with Insomniac to produce the New Eve rave, Together as One, at the arena. Rotella and Go Ventures representatives did not return phone calls.

andrew.blankstein ron.lin@latimes.com paul.pringle@latimes.com GIANT RAVE IS STAYING AWAY The Electric Daisy Carnival return to the Coliseum this summer. Andrew Blankstein, Rong-Gong Lin II and Paul Pringle Los Angeles County transportation officials approved an agreement Thursday to buy historic Union Station in downtown L.A. for $75 million a purchase that will clear the way for the expansion of transit operations and new development on the property. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board decided to buy the rail hub from Catellus Operating Limited Partnership, which is owned by ProLogis based in Colorado. The deal, which is expected to close in 30 days, includes 38 acres and development rights to5.9 million square feet of property around the station.

Station is absolutely critical to the current and future mobility of our said county Supervisor Don Knabe, chairman of the MTA board. now have the ability to retain the historic nature of Union Station and prepare it to serve as a world-class, 21st century transportation MTA officials wanted control of the station to help accommodate an expected surge in passengers from the proposed Westside subway extension, a planned downtown connector for the re- light-rail lines, increased bus service and the high-speed rail sys- tem if it is built. California High-Speed Rail Authority officials have discussed setting aside tens of millions of dollars so the agency can become a part- ner in the station acquisition. The authority still needs approvals from the state public works board and the California Transportation Commission. will be working with MTA to ultimately determine the details behind this said Roelof van Ark, the bullet train chief executive.

Built in 1939, Union Station is a national landmark and one of the last great railway facilities in the United States. It serves Amtrak, Metrolink, Metro subway lines, Gold Line light-rail trains, transit buses and Fly- Away coaches that serve Los Angeles International Airport. MTA officials say that the current commercial uses on the property, such as retail outlets and restaurants, generate about $6 million a year in revenue an amount that will increase as the site is developed. dan.weikel@latimes.com MTA to buy Union Station The $75-million deal clears the way for the expansion of transit operations and new development. Dan Weikel Photographs by Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times HUB: Passengers scurry through the lobby at Union Station, which serves Amtrak, Metrolink, Metro subway lines, Gold Line light-rail trains, transit buses and FlyAway coaches that serve L.A.

International Airport. HISTORIC: Built in 1939, Union Station in downtown Los Angeles is a national landmark and one of the last great railway facilities in the United States..