♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JOHN CARROLL.

>>> COMING UP, SAN DIEGO NEEDS MORE HOMES, BUT THERE IS A DEBATE OVER HOW THAT GROWTH WILL BE SHARED BY NEIGHBORHOODS.

RESIDENCE IN ENCANTO SAY WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF THEM IS UNFAIR AND INEQUITABLE.

>>> THE QUEST FOR UNLIMITED GREEN POWER.

LOCAL SCIENTISTS SHOW US THE PROGRESS WITH NUCLEAR FUSION AS AN ENERGY SOURCE FOR EVERYDAY USE.

>>> AND AN ARTISTIC REVIVAL IN PARADISE HILLS.

SEE HOW A REUNION OF HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS BROUGHT A PIECE OF LOCAL STREET ART BACK TO LIFE.

>>> WE START WITH THE CRITICAL WORK IN ASSESSING ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES.

THURSDAY MORNING, TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE COUNTY PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL HOMELESSNESS CENSUS, KNOWN AS THE POINT IN TIME COUNT.

OUR NEWS TEAMS WERE OUT WITH THEM TO SEE HOW THIS SENSITIVE WORK IS CARRIED OUT.

WE HAVE TWO REPORTS, STARTING WITH MELISSA BAY IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: AT 4:00 A.M., A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS MEETS IN A DOWNTOWN CHURCH TO PREPARE FOR THIS YEARS POINT IN TIME COUNT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE IN AND AROUND PETCO PARK.

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE A SNAPSHOT, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES, POPULATIONS FOR WHICH WE ARE SERVING AND THE NEEDS THEY HAVE AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO COLLECTIVELY DO THAT IN ONE POINT IN TIME.

>> Reporter: CATCHER CARTER IS THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS WITH THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

SHE SAYS IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT COUNTING THE HOMELESS, IT IS ABOUT ENGAGING WITH THEM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE ON THE STREETS AND THERE NEEDS TO GET INTO HOUSING.

>> I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET ANYWHERE ANYMORE, BECAUSE IT IS LIKE DOUBLE THE RENT.

IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO GET INSIDE.

>> Reporter: BURGUNDY COLLINSWORTH SAYS SHE HAS BEEN HOMELESS FOR THE LAST YEAR.

>> I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT FOOD, A PLACE TO GO, SAFETY, AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF, I CAN'T KEEP CHECKING, WHEN SOMEONE STEALS MY PHONE, I LOSE MY PHONE, I AIN'T GOT IT.

YOU CAN'T EVEN DO THAT.

I GIVE UP.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL RUSE HE HAS BEEN ON THE STREETS FOR TWO YEARS.

HE SAYS SEVERE ARTHRITIS IN HIS KNEES LED HIM TO START SELF- MEDICATING.

>> I DON'T USE ALCOHOL OR ANYTHING, BUT I USE THIS STUFF FOR PAIN, AND IT JUST MADE IT DIFFICULT.

I ENDED UP OUT HERE, AND IT'S -- IT HAS BEEN A LONG AND LONELY ROAD.

I'M 63 YEARS OLD.

SO, I GET MY PENSION, BUT I MAKE TOO MUCH TO QUALIFY FOR THE BENEFITS, BUT I DON'T MAKE ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY PAY FOR AN APARTMENT ON MY OWN.

I'M LIKE, RIGHT THERE -- RIGHT ON THE MONEY THRESHOLD OF WHERE THEY GIVE BENEFITS TO.

>> Reporter: THE POINT IN TIME TELLS FEATURE HOMELESS LIST FUNDING TO HELP PEOPLE LIKE COLLINSWORTH.

>> TO IDENTIFY THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED TO HELP SOMEONE AND THEIR EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS, BUT ALSO THE LEVEL AND VOLUME OF FUNDING THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO DO SO.

THIS INFORMATION IS GATHERED AND SHARED WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO GO TO WASHINGTON AND HELP FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND ADVOCATE FOR THE FUNDING THAT WE NEED TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO SAID IT RECEIVED ABOUT $17 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS FOR HOMELESSNESS THIS FISCAL YEAR.

IT IS UNCLEAR HOW A POSSIBLE FREEZE BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD IMPACT FUTURE FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS FUNDING.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO DECLINED TO COMMENT ON HYPOTHETICAL CUTS.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS 4:00 IN THE MORNING AT A NUTRITION CENTER IN ESCONDIDO, IT IS FILLED WITH VOLUNTEERS.

THEY ARE GETTING READY TO HEAD OUT TO THE STREETS AND CONNECT WITH AS MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AS POSSIBLE.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THIS COUNT BECAUSE IT ENABLES US TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON THIS DAY AND TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES AND GET HELP FOR THESE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: MELINA BATISTA IS ONE OF THOSE VOLUNTEERS.

BUT, GETTING AN ACCURATE COUNT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SEE IF THERE ARE SOME INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THEIR CARS, WHICH THERE HAS BEEN.

SOME PEOPLE DID NOT WANT TO BE INTERVIEWED, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO COUNT THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE SLEEPING AT THIS TIME.

BUT, SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS, WE WERE ABLE TO INTERVIEW THEM AND COUNT THEM, AS WELL.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE HERNANDEZ IS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BUT WASN'T SURVEYED ON TODAY'S COUNT.

SHE WAS ON THE BUS FROM SAN DIEGO TO ESCONDIDO TRYING TO GET A HOT MEAL, BUT GOT THERE TOO LATE.

>> IT WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF, RESPECTIVELY.

ONE WAY.

AND SO, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS BREAKFAST HE'LL HOT MEALS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT IS EXHAUSTING TRYING TO GET HELP, AND QUESTIONS WHERE FUNDING IS REALLY GOING.

>> THEY SPENT BILLIONS FOR HOMELESS, OKAY?

LIKE, BILLIONS.

AND OVER TIME, A LOT, A LOT OF MONEY.

YOU OFTEN WONDER WHERE THOSE RESOURCES ARE GOING.

BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE -- I MEAN, PERSONALLY, ME, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AN AUDIT OF WHERE THOSE FUNDS GO.

>> Reporter: AN AUDIT CONDUCTED LAST YEAR SHOWED CALIFORNIA SPENT ALMOST $24 BILLION ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, BUT FAILED TO TRACK ITS PROGRESS.

SINCE THEN, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HAS CALLED FOR AN INCREASE IN ACCOUNTABILITY FROM SERVICE PROVIDERS.

INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES CEO, GREG ANGEL, SAYS HELPING PEOPLE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS COMES AT A COST.

>> HEALTH OBSERVANCES, BEHAVIOR HEALTH BENEFITS, THOSE ROBUST, WRAPAROUND SERVICES ARE REALLY CRITICAL TO HELPING PEOPLE OVERCOME SO MANY CHALLENGES THAT THEY EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY ARE HOMELESS.

BUT, THEY DO COME AT A COST.

>> Reporter: AND THE REALITY IS -- >> WELL, SHELTER IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THERE IS A NEED TO CREATE MORE SHELTER SPACE, ANGEL SAID THAT JUST SOLVES THE TEMPORARY PROBLEM.

>> WE ALSO NEED TO WORK ON CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE OUT OF SHELTERS AND INTO.

IT IS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING.

>> Reporter: THE RESULTS OF THE POINT IN TIME COUNT WILL COME OUT LATER THIS YEAR.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, ALSO KNOWN AS ADUs, OR GRANNY FLATS, OR PART OF THE HOUSING SOLUTION.

BUT, THIS WEEK, THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO REMOVE A BONUS ADU PROGRAM.

IT ALLOWS SOME WHAT CALLED BACKYARD APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

SOME OF THE LARGEST PRODUCTS ARE PROPOSED IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO AND NEIGHBORS ARE PUSHING BACK.

>> Reporter: ON TARBOX STREET IN ENCANTO SITS A LARGE HOME WITH A BIG BACKYARD.

A YELLOW SIGN HANGS ON THE FENCE.

"ENCANTO SAYS NO."

REBECCA BATISTA LIVES NEXT DOOR.

>> MY HUSBAND NOTICED THERE WAS SOME MOVEMENT HAPPENING ON THE PROPERTY, SO HE DECIDED TO LOOK FOR THE PERMITS, AND HE WILL TELL YOU HIMSELF THAT HE NEARLY FELL TO THE FLOOR.

>> Reporter: 43 NEW HOMES ARE PLANNED FOR A YARD SMALLER THAN HALF A FOOTBALL FIELD.

THAT IS MORE HOMES THAN THE REST OF THIS STREET COMBINED.

LISA AND ERIC LIVE NEXT TO BATISTA.

THEY SPREAD WORD TO NEIGHBORS.

>> THEY ARE LIKE, NO, WE ARE NOT ZONED FOR THAT.

AND I AM LIKE, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

OH, MY GOD.

>> WE HAD NO IDEA HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT PUBLIC NOTICE, WITHOUT A PUBLIC HEARING, WITHOUT ADHERING TO A COMMUNITY PLAN.

>> Reporter: THAT IS BY DESIGN.

ADUs DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY OF THAT.

IT IS PART OF WHAT MAKES THEM CHEAPER AND FASTER TO BUILD.

CALIFORNIA HOPES TO ENTICE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD MORE HOUSING.

IT ALLOWS TWO ADUs ON EACH LOT.

USUALLY, THEY ARE WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL GRANNY FLATS.

BUT, SAN DIEGO TOOK IT FURTHER.

IN 2020, THEY SAID YOU CAN HAVE TWO MORE, AS LONG AS ONE OF THEM IS PRICED AFFORDABLY.

AND IF YOUR LOSS IS WITHIN A WALKING MODEL OF A MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSIT STOP, THERE IS NO LIMIT.

RESULTING IN SOME PROPOSED PROJECTS WITH MORE THAN 100 UNITS ON A SINGLE LOT, WHAT SOME CALL "GRANNY TOWERS."

THOSE ARE RARE.

IN MOST PARTS OF SAN DIEGO, THE TYPICAL PROJECT IS ABOUT FOUR UNITS.

IN ENCANTO, IT IS ABOUT 10.

BATISTA -- >> WE STARTED PEELING THE ONION TO REALIZE IT WASN'T JUST THIS LOT NEXT TO OURS, BUT UPWARDS OF LIKE 10 TO 12 PROPERTIES THAT WE KNOW ABOUT THAT ARE USING THE SAME BONUS ADU LOOPHOLE.

>> Reporter: THE ENCANTO AREA MAKES SENSE FOR DEVELOPERS.

LARGER LOT SIZES FOR LESS MONEY THAN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT USED TO BE REDLINED.

TODAY, NEIGHBORS ARE MOSTLY BLACK AND LATINO, AND LOW INCOME.

BATISTA ISN'T OPPOSED TO MORE HOUSING.

SAY, SIX MORE HOMES ON THIS LOT.

BUT, 43 MOORE HAS HER WORRIED.

UNDER STATE LAW, STATE DEVELOPERS DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE PARKING.

ON TARBOX STREET, IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE WHERE MORE CARS WOULD GO.

THE ROAD ISN'T MAINTAINED BY THE CITY.

IT IS RIDDLED WITH POTHOLES.

THERE ARE NO SIDEWALKS OR STORM DRAINS.

ONLY TWO STREETLIGHTS.

OVERGROWN TREES AND PARKED CARS JET INTO THE ROAD.

ERIC BECERRA -- >> HOW ARE THEY TRYING TO PASS THIS TYPE OF BUILDING STRUCTURE, WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN HELP US WITH WHAT WE NEED?

>> Reporter: AN EARLY ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAM CAUTIONED SAN DIEGO ABOUT THE PATTERN OF LARGER ADU PROJECTS PROPOSED IN THE ENCANTO AREA.

"THE CITY MAY NOT WANT TO SEE SUCH A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF UNITS IN AREAS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY ABSORBED MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT."

CO-AUTHOR, JAKE WEGMAN -- >> THAT SOMETIMES RESULTS IN A FEELING OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THOSE AREAS, "HEY, WE ARE GETTING ALL THE DEVELOPMENT MEANWHILE PEOPLE IN LA JOLLA AND OTHER AFFLUENT AREAS HAVEN'T HAD TO HAVE THE SAME KIND OF DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE."

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA ADU DEVELOPERS DON'T HAVE TO PAY IMPACT FEES OR CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

AND ENCANTO IS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL BURDENS AND HEALTH RISKS.

IT IS ALSO AT A HIGH RISK FOR FIRES.

UNLIKE APARTMENTS, ADUs DON'T HAVE TO HAVE SPRINKLERS.

MORE CONCRETE INSTEAD OF GRASSY LOTS ALSO MEANS MORE WATER RUNOFF.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD FLOODED LAST JANUARY.

WEGMAN CALLED THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEM "A CHICKEN AND A DYNAMIC."

>> SOMETIMES, PEOPLE WILL SAY, WELL, WE SHOULDN'T BUILD ANY MORE HOUSING IN THIS AREA BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE CAN'T HANDLE IT.

RIGHT?

AND THEN, ON THE OTHER HAND, SOMETIMES YOU HERE, WELL, WHY WOULD WE ADD INFRASTRUCTURE TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD?

BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE THERE TO JUSTIFY IT.

>> Reporter: NEIGHBOR, LISA BECERRA, ASKS -- >> SO, WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO DO UNTIL IT CATCHES THEM?

>> Reporter: ABOUT 50 NEIGHBORS HAVE BEGAN TO ORGANIZE.

THEY CREATED A PETITION THIS MONTH THAT HAS OVER 500 SIGNATURES.

THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER LEGAL ACTION.

REBECCA BATISTA.

>> THEY HAVE TURNED US INTO ACTIVISTS, AND IT HAS BEEN REALLY BEAUTIFUL, BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR SOMETHING WE ALL BELIEVE IN.

WE KNOW HOW SPECIAL ENCANTO IS.

>> Reporter: I SAID OUT WITH HER FAMILY TOWARD THE CLOSEST MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSIT STOP.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A MILE AWAY, AT MOST.

BUT, GOOGLE MAPS SAYS IT IS A LITTLE MORE AND WITH NO SIDEWALKS, WE ARE FORCED TO WALK IN THE ROAD.

THE WHEELS OF THEIR DOUBLE STROLLER AND HER DAUGHTER'S SCOOTER BUMP HARD OVER POTHOLES.

WE PASS A SMALLER BUS STOP WITH NO SHADE.

AN ELDERLY NEIGHBOR'S CHAIR SITS ON THE GRASSY INCLINE, EMPTY.

BATISTA TELLS ME SHE JUST SOLD HER PROPERTY TO A DEVELOPER.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT STORY BY KATIE HYSON IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

HERE ARE SOME OTHERS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL REPEALS A CONTROVERSIAL FOOTNOTE IN CITY CODE THAT TARGETS HOUSING IN SOUTHEASTERN NEIGHBORHOODS.

SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA IS EXPLORING OPTIONS, AFTER A SURPRISE CITY COUNCIL VOTE SEEKING REPEAL OF A LANDMARK HOUSING PROGRAM.

>>> TANIA THORNE REPORTS ON LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS THAT ARE FEELING THE IMPACT OF RECENT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN NORTH COUNTY.

>>> MEXICO IS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES WHO WILL RECEIVE THOSE WHO ARE DEPORTED.

IN TIJUANA, THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY SHOWED THE MEDIA HOW IT IS WELCOMING THOSE PEOPLE.

KPBS VIDEO JOURNALIST MATTHEW BOWLER TAKES US INSIDE ONE OF THE NEW SHELTERS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS MEXICO ONE, THE FREE ROAD FROM TIJUANA TO ROSARITO.

THAT BUILDING WAS AN EVENT HALL UNTIL JUST LAST WEEK.

IT HOSTED THINGS LIKE KENSING EUROS AND WEDDING RECEPTIONS.

IT HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR DEPORTEES.

IT IS PART OF A NATIONAL PROGRAM IN MEXICO, CALLED MEXICO EMBRACES YOU.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: ON JANUARY 21st, MEXICAN PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHANE BAUM ANNOUNCED THE PROGRAM IN HER DAILY PRESS CONFERENCE.

IT IS HOW MEXICO IS PREPARING FOR THE REPATRIATION OF ITS CITIZENS, IF AMERICAN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH HIS PROMISE OF MASS DEPORTATIONS.

THIS SHELTERS A NEW NETWORK OF FACILITIES CREATED IN MEXICO ALONG THE BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES.

BAJA GOVERNOR SAYS THAT THIS FACILITY IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR DEPORTEES, REPATRIATED BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PROMISE OF MASS DEPORTATIONS.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: GOVERNOR POLIS SAYS THAT THIS WILL NOT JUST FEED AND HOUSE THE DEPORTEES BUT ALSO PROVIDE MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE TO HELP THEM MANAGE THE STRESS OF THEIR DEPORTATION.

MEDIA WAS ALLOWED ACCESS TO ONE SECTION OF THE SHELTER, SHOWING THE DINING HALL, KITCHEN, BUNK BEDS, MEDICAL OFFICES, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

MARIA IS THE DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

SHE SAYS THIS SHELTER IS READY.

>> WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF EXPECTATION OF WHEN AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING.

SO, IN THIS FIRST CENTER, WE ARE GOING TO -- WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE 2600 PEOPLE.

MEN, WOMEN, FAMILIES, YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO, THEY CAN COME BACK TO THEIR COUNTRY SAFELY.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A WARM WELCOME.

>> Reporter: ON THIS DAY, NO DEPORTEES ARE AT THE SHELTER.

NONETHELESS, THE GOVERNMENTS OF TIJUANA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, AND MEXICO, SAY THEY ARE READY TO WELCOME THEM HOME.

IN TIJUANA, MATTHEW BOWLER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CREATION OF ENERGY FROM NUCLEAR FUSION HAS BEEN A GOAL IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD FOR DECADES.

THE WORK DONE AT COMPANIES LIKE GENERAL ATOMICS IN SAN DIEGO IS BRINGING US CLOSER TO IT.

SCIENCE TECH REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE TELL US ABOUT THIS REQUEST, TO PUT THE SUN IN A BOTTLE, TELLING US ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE UNLIMITED POWER.

>> Reporter: IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, THE CONTROL ROOM AT GENERAL ATOMICS HAD SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

THEY CELEBRATED THEIR PLASMA SHOT NUMBER 2000.

THAT IS AN EXPERIMENTAL FUSION OF HYDROGEN ATOMS YOU SMASHED TOGETHER TO GENERATE THE HEAT YOU NEED TO PRODUCE ENERGY.

IT PLACES THE DIRECTOR OF THE FACILITY RUN BY GENERAL ATOMICS.

>> PERFUSION, IF YOU SMASHED THEM TOGETHER HARD ENOUGH, THEY RELEASE NET ENERGY, THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WE WANT TO SMASH A LOT OF PARTICLES AND MAKE A LOT OF ENERGY.

>> Reporter: NUCLEAR FUSION IS WHAT HAPPENS ON THE SUN.

IT LEAVES BEHIND HELIUM AND ENERGY AND NONE OF THAT LONG- LASTING NUCLEAR WASTE THAT HAS BEEN DOUBLED IN THE NUCLEAR FISSION POWER PLANT.

ROBERT IS THE DIRECTOR OF ATOMICS G3 REACTOR WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.

HE SAID THE PROMISE OF EXPLOITING FUSION ON EARTH IS A VIRTUALLY LIMITLESS SUPPLY OF ENERGY.

>> BECAUSE THE FUEL WE HAVE FOR FUSION IS ABUNDANT ALONG THE WORLD.

THE HYDROGEN WE USE, YOU JUST EXTRACT THAT FROM SEAWATER.

THE OTHER FUEL WE USE, LITHIUM, THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN PULL OUT OF THE GROUND, IT IS COMMON, IT IS IN YOUR CELL PHONE BATTERIES, AND THE AMOUNTS YOU NEED TO DO A LOT OF ENERGY IS VERY SMALL.

>> Reporter: THE QUEST FOR FUSION ENERGY HAS BEEN A LONG HAUL.

SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN PURSUING IT SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND SOME OF THE TESTING INFRASTRUCTURE IS PRETTY OLD SCHOOL.

AT GENERAL ATOMICS, THE FUSION REACTOR IS CALLED A TOCA MAC, A TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1960s.

ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED BY THE RUSSIANS, IT IS A DONUT-SHAPED OVEN THAT CONDUCTS THE INTENSE HEAT NEEDED FOR FUSION.

A POWERFUL MAGNETS ARE USED TO CONTROL THE ENERGY.

BUT, WITH ALL THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN SEEN, WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO CONTAIN AND RELEASE FUSION ENERGY, SO IT CAN BOIL WATER, RUN A TURBINE, AND GENERATE POWER.

HE SAYS THE CHALLENGE NOW IS TURNING THE SCIENCE INTO A FUSION POWER PLANT.

>> WE HAVE A PIECE OF SCIENCE THAT WE UNDERSTAND REALLY, REALLY WELL.

BUT, NOW, WE HAVE TO FOLD THAT INTO A PHYSICAL DEVICE THAT TAKES IT TO THE NEXT STEP, THAT GETS YOU CLOSER TO PRODUCING ELECTRICITY.

IT REALLY IS THIS INTEGRATION AND THIS FULL SYSTEM APPROACH THAT IS JUST AN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE INDUSTRY STILL NEEDS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS LIKE THE STEEL THAT GOES INSIDE THE REACTOR THAT DOESN'T UNEXPECTEDLY ERODE OR EMIT PARTICLES IN DIFFUSION.

A POSSIBLE ANSWER TO THIS CHALLENGING PROBLEM IS TAKING SHAPE IN FRANCE.

AN INTERNATIONAL PROJECT CALLED EATER, WHICH IS LATIN FOR "THE WAY," IT IS A TOCA MAC POWERED FACILITY THAT WILL BE THE CLOSEST THING THE WORLD HAS SEEN TO A FUSION POWER PLANT.

IT'S GOAL IS TO GET FUSION TO CONTINUE IN DIRECTOR UNDER ITS OWN HEAT AND POWER, NOT RELYING ON THE TYPE OF IMPORTED HEAT NEEDED FOR A BRIEF PLASMA SHOT.

HE SAYS THE GOAL IS TO PRODUCE 10 TIMES THE ENERGY IT GETS FROM AN OUTSIDE HEATING SOURCE.

THIS YEAR, GENERAL ATOMICS WILL SHIP TO EATER, A MAGNET TO CONTAIN IT'S A SUPER HOT BALL OF GAS.

HE SAYS THIS IS GOING TO BE THE WORLD'S BIGGEST MAGNET.

>> JUST TO GIVE YOU ONE STAT HERE, THIS IS A MAGNET SO POWERFUL IT COULD LIFT AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER OUT OF THE WATER.

>> Reporter: SCIENTIFIC WORK ON FUSION ENERGY HAS GONE ON SO LONG, YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE PEOPLE FOR CASTING DOUBT WHEN THEY HEAR SOMEBODY SAY, "WE ARE ALMOST THERE."

INNOVATION AND PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR DAVID VICTOR CODIRECTS YOU SEE SAN DIEGO'S ENERGY DECARBONIZATION INITIATIVE.

HE SAYS THE OLD JOKE ABOUT FUSION IS IT IS THE OLD, GREAT ENERGY SOURCE OF THE FUTURE, AND IT ALWAYS WILL BE.

BUT, HE DOES BELIEVE THAT RECENT PROGRESS TOWARD THE GOAL IS NO JOKE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAKE SEVERAL DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR FUSION ENERGY AT LEAST SEEM A LOT MORE POSSIBLE THAN IT DID EVEN FIVE OR 10 YEARS AGO.

NEW KINDS OF LASERS, AND PARTICULAR NEW KINDS OF MAGNETS, REALLY, REALLY POWERFUL MAGNETS THAT CAN COMBINE THE FUSION OF PLASMA.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS EVERY ENERGY SOURCE HAS UNCERTAINTIES AND IN CENTER FUSION, DON'T FORGET THE IMPACT OF WIND AND SOLAR.

EVEN NUCLEAR FISSION MAY HAVE A FUTURE AT THE INDUSTRY.

IT CAN BUILD SMALL, MODULAR UNITS.

MEANWHILE, BUTTERY SAYS THAT PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN FUSION IN THE U.S. HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM VENTURE CAPITALISTS TO PHILANTHROPIC GROUPS.

>> AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL, UNITED STATES IS INVESTING STRONGLY IN FUSION AND SO ARE OUR COMPETITORS.

CHINA IS ACTUALLY OUTSPENDING THE UNITED STATES BY A FACTOR OF TWO WITH ITS GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

>> Reporter: BUTTERY SAYS WITH INCREASED INVESTMENT, PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE FUSION POWER PLANTS SOMETIME IN THE 2030S.

IF THAT DOES HAPPEN, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN DRAW POWER FROM ONE OF THEM MAY DEPEND ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU LIVE IN THE PARADISE HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD OF SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THIS LEGENDARY WALL, THE ART WALL FROM THE '90s.

FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS NOW, IT HAS BEEN VACANT.

BUT, LAST YEAR, SOUTH MAYOR CARRIE SUZUKI SAYS THREE HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS REUNITED TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE WALL IS AT THE TOP OF DIVISION STREET, RIGHT WHERE IT CURVES UPWARDS AWAY FROM THE FREEWAY AND DOWN INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF PARADISE HILLS.

IT IS KIND OF TUCKED AWAY, BEHIND A BIG, CONCRETE PHONE POLE ACROSS THE STREET FROM A CHURCH.

FOR DECADES, IT WAS BLANK, AND A DUSTY GRAY.

IF YOU WANT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IT.

BUT, TODAY, THE WALL IS BRIGHT AND COLORFUL.

>> THE VEGETABLES THAT WE PAINTED HERE ARE STAPLES OF THE DIET.

>> Reporter: RON POINTS TO THE BRAND-NEW MURAL THAT IS THERE ALONG THE WALL, NOW.

>> WE HAVE THE SQUASH, WE HAVE THE EGGPLANT, THEY ARE ALL FRUITS.

AND VEGETABLES, THE FILIPINOS USE IN THEIR COOKING.

>> Reporter: HE IS AN ARTIST THAT GREW UP IN PARADISE HILLS.

HE SPENT WEEKS PAINTING THIS MURAL WITH FRIENDS.

HE CHOSE TRADITIONAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FROM THE PHILIPPINES.

AND THE CRIMSON FLAG AT THE UNITED FARM WORKERS UNION, AN HOMAGE TO THE FARMWORKERS STRIKES OF THE 1960s.

AT THE CENTER IS A SAYING -- [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] WHICH LITERALLY TRANSLATES TO " ONE DOWN."

MEANING, IF ONE OF US IS DOWN, THEN WE ARE ALL DOWN.

AND IF ONE OF US IS UP, THAT MEANS ALL OF US ARE UP.

REPRESENTING A REAL COMMUNAL SPIRIT.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE FIRST TIME THERE HAS BEEN A MURAL HERE IN 30 YEARS.

BACK IN THE '90s, THOUGH, RICARDO SAID HE AND HIS FRIENDS USED TO PAINT THIS WALL ALL THE TIME.

THEY WERE GOING TO HIGH SCHOOL JUST DOWN THE STREET.

>> THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS DIFFERENT.

IT WAS A BIT CRAZIER, THERE WAS THE UPSTART OF GANGS, AND DRUGS.

>> Reporter: PARADISE HILLS WAS A REDLINE NEIGHBORHOOD, A BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY THAT WAS SYSTEMATICALLY DISINTERESTED IN.

IT WAS HOME TO A BIG FILIPINO COMMUNITY WHICH RICARDO AND HIS FRIENDS WERE PART OF.

RICARDO SAYS HIS IMMIGRANT PARENTS WEREN'T THINKING OF ENROLLING THEM IN SOCCER AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, INSTEAD, HE AND HIS FRIENDS TURNED TO ART.

>> GRAFFITI.

IT WAS ALL BRAND-NEW.

SO, BEING A KID, BEING A KID AND SEEING THAT, IT WAS FRESH.

YOU KNOW?

IT WAS FRESH.

IT WAS LIKE, OH, MAN, I WANT TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: RICARDO AND HIS FRIENDS STARTED LOOKING FOR SPOTS TO PAINT.

IN PARADISE HILLS, THERE WERE ONLY A FEW.

SOME PLACES TOWARD SPRING VALLEY, THE SIDE OF THE OLD K LIQUOR STORE, AND THEN THERE WAS THE WALL, AT THE TOP OF DIVISION STREET.

>> THIS WALL WAS KIND OF AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: HE IS LIKE A COUSIN TO RICARDO.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN STREETS OFF OF THE FREEWAYS, TO GET INTO PARADISE HILLS, YOU HAVE TO KIND OF GO DOWN THE STREET TO GET INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF PARADISE HILLS.

SO, EVERYBODY WAS COMING IN AND OUT OF THIS PASSAGEWAY, RIGHT HERE, AND SEEING THIS WALL EVERY DAY THAT THEY WOULD GO TO WORK, TO GO TO SCHOOL, ALL OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THEY GAVE THEMSELVES A CREW NAME, JVC.

ALMOST EVERY MONTH, THEY WOULD PUT UP A NEW MURAL ON DIVISION STREET.

THE PAINTED CARTOON CHARACTERS, MESSAGES, AND PORTRAITS OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY.

WHEN RIVAL CREWS DIDN'T APPROVE, THEY WOULD COME AND PAINT OVER THEIR WORK.

>> THIS WAS ALMOST LIKE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA BACK IN THE DAY.

>> Reporter: JUNIOR WAS THE THIRD MEMBER OF THE CREW.

HE SAID THEIR WORK WAS STARTING TO GET ATTENTION IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO BROADCAST OUR POST, BUT THROUGH ARTWORK.

TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND A LOT OF THE FELLOW RIDERS OUT THERE AT THE TIME, THEY WOULD TAKE NOTICE.

>> Reporter: BUT, OTHERS WOULD TAKE NOTICE, TOO, INCLUDING THE COPS.

IN 1993, THEY LAUNCHED A MAJOR STING OPERATION TARGETING GRAFFITI ARTISTS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

OFFICERS POSED AS HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS WORKING ON A DOCUMENTARY.

EVENTUALLY, THEY ARRESTED 37 PEOPLE, INCLUDING JUNIOR WHO HAD JUST GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

RICARDO TRY TO KEEP PAINTING AFTER THAT, BUT SOON, THEY GRADUATED, TOO.

HE WENT TO ART SCHOOL IN VALENCIA IN SAN FRANCISCO.

AND SINCE YOU HAD TO GO TO COURT AND DO COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND EVENTUALLY BECAME AN ART TEACHER.

BACK ON DIVISION STREET, THE WALL WAS EMPTY.

RICARDO WENT TO COLLEGE IN LONG BEACH AND JOINED THE NAVY.

EVEN ON DUTY, HE KEPT DRAWING, MAKING SKETCHES ON PRINTER PAPER AND SCANNING THEM ON A COMPUTER WHENEVER HE GOT THE CHANCE.

FINALLY, AFTER DECADES AWAY FROM HOME, HE GOT ORDERS BACK TO SAN DIEGO.

>> OF COURSE, I AM HITTING UP THE OLD CREW, WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GLORY DAYS, OR JUST CATCHING UP, AND WE ARE STILL, ALL OF US ARE STILL -- IT IS STILL A PART OF US.

SO, WE ALL ARE ARTISTS IN CERTAIN WAYS, AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD ONE DAY COME BACK TO THIS.

>> Reporter: THIS, THE WALL ON DIVISION STREET.

LAST YEAR, THEY GOT TOGETHER WITH SOME OLD FRIENDS AND BEGAN PLANNING SOMETHING NEW.

IN EARLY OCTOBER, THE THREE OF THEM STARTED PAINTING.

NOW, THERE IS A NEW MURAL ON DIVISION STREET, BUT IT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY USED TO PAINT.

THIS MURAL IS FOCUSED ON HONORING THE HISTORY OF HIP FILIPINO CULTURE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THIS TIME, WE ARE GROWN UP, MORE MATURE.

SO, WE WANTED TO REFLECT THAT.

LIKE, WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD MESSAGE TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY?

>> Reporter: RICARDO SAYS THEY DIDN'T SIGN IT, THEY WANTED THE MESSAGE TO BE ON THE ART, NOT THEMSELVES.

BUT IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER, THEY DID STENCIL THE LETTERS OF THE OLD CREW, JVC.

CAN I ASK, WHAT DOES THAT STAND FOR?

>> JVC, BACK IN THE DAY, WHEN WE WERE NOT YOUNGER, IT WAS THE JUNIOR VANDAL CREW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT STANDS FOR NOW.

>> Reporter: A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE '90s, THE CREW, THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT, SOME THINGS ARE STILL THE SAME, LIKE AN OLD BRICK WALL, LIKE A GROUP OF CHILDHOOD FRIENDS STILL TRYING TO MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

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WE HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD LOOK AT KPBS "NEWS THIS WEEK".

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

♪ ♪