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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for February 2, 2017.
Posted: 02 Feb 2017 16:21:48
ARB Newsclips for February 2, 2017. This is a service of the California Air Resources Board’s Office of Communications. You may need to sign in or register with individual websites to view some of the following news articles. AIR POLLUTION 'Buy clean' bill favors low-emitting contractors. A bill introduced yesterday in the California Legislature aims to direct public funding on infrastructure to companies that practice low-emissions manufacturing. A.B. 262 would require state agencies and universities to take greenhouse gas emissions into account when evaluating infrastructure spending. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049429 EPA takes next step on 'findings of failure' for ozone plans. U.S. EPA is moving ahead with publication of "findings of failure" for 15 states and the District of Columbia that have not turned in full plans for meeting the 2008 ozone air quality standards. The final rule will take effect 30 days after appearing in tomorrow's Federal Register, marking the start of a two-year timetable for the affected jurisdictions… http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049457 ALISO CANYON Raucous crowd at public hearing on proposal to allow resumed operations at Aliso Canyon. A hearing by state regulators to gather public input on a proposal to allow Southern California Gas Co. to resume injecting natural gas into the Aliso Canyon public storage facility ended earlier than planned because of calls by hundreds of raucous San Fernando Valley residents to halt the immediate reopening of the storage facility. http://www.latimes.com/visuals/photography/ http://www.dailynews.com/business/20170201/public-hearing-on-aliso-canyon-gas-field-cut-short-as-tempers-flare http://abc7.com/news/porter-ranch-residents-pack-hearing-over-aliso-canyon-facility/1733682/ http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049437 CLIMATE CHANGE Faced with U.S. retreat on climate change, EU looks to China. Faced with a U.S. retreat from international efforts to tackle climate change, European Union officials are looking to China, fearing a leadership vacuum will embolden those within the bloc seeking to slow the fight against global warming. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-eu-climatechange-idUSKBN15G5B3?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=ae25013f32-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-ae25013f32-327747457 ‘Beyond the extreme’: Scientists marvel at ‘increasingly non-natural’ Arctic warmth. The Arctic is so warm and has been this warm for so long that scientists are struggling to explain it and are in disbelief. The climate of the Arctic is known to oscillate wildly, but scientists say this warmth is so extreme that humans surely have their hands in it and may well be changing how it operates. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/02/01/beyond-the-extreme-scientists-marvel-at-increasingly-non-natural-arctic-warmth/?utm_campaign=ae25013f32-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Inside Climate News&utm_term=.430da7c386ab This Bay Area Proposal Would Strike a Huge Blow to the Dirtiest Forms of Oil Production. A proposed emissions cap would prevent the area’s refineries from converting dirtier-burning oils into fuel. Will it pass? uring his State of the State address last week, California Governor Jerry Brown defiantly declared, “We cannot fall back and give in to the climate deniers.” Just hours after President Trump announced his intention to resume construction of the Keystone XL… https://www.thenation.com/article/this-bay-area-proposal-would-strike-a-huge-blow-to-the-dirtiest-forms-of-oil-production/ California’s climate policy depends on federal waivers—what if Trump doesn’t grant them? California officials have discerned a chilling signal that the Trump administration may be willing to halt the state’s unique authority to impose its own vehicle emission rules—a move that could undercut its pioneering effort to battle climate change. https://calmatters.org/articles/californias-climate-policy-depends-on-federal-waiverswhat-if-trump-doesnt-grant-them/ 3 Things You Need to Know About the Science Rebellion Against Trump. The new president’s first moves on science spur a Twitter war and prompt a march. The Trump administration was merely minutes old when all references to climate change disappeared from the White House website. Later that day, the National Park Service Twitter account was briefly shutdown because the new president was miffed about a retweet… http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/01/scientists-march-on-washington-national-parks-twitter-war-climate-science-donald-trump/?google_editors_picks=true Oregon far short of greenhouse gas emissions goals, report says. Oregon is not reducing carbon dioxide emissions fast enough to meet its goals for 2020 and beyond, a new report finds. In fact, it's not even close. Those are the findings of a biennial report the Oregon Global Warming Commission will deliver to state lawmakers this week, and they come despite ambitious legislation passed to cut emissions from the electricity and transportation sectors. http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/02/oregon_wont_hit_greenhouse_gas.html#incart_river_home Green group pushes unconventional climate suit. An unconventional environmental group is heading to federal court with a unique climate lawsuit. The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) on Tuesday filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, arguing that federal jurisdiction over trains carrying coal and oil robs local residents of their… http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049399 Climate impacts help Latin America reaffirm global promises. Some Latin American nations are pushing toward a low-carbon future even as the United States threatens to retreat from its global climate commitments. Experts believe many countries in the region, which has experienced damage due to climate change, will stick to the commitments made under the Paris Agreement… http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049430 FUELS Consol moves to fully shed coal for natural gas. It was once a jewel in King Coal's crown, but now Consol Energy Inc. is hoping to get out of the business. The company said Monday that it wants to divest its remaining coal mines in Pennsylvania this year so it can focus on the business line that's growing: producing natural gas. While coal majors have gone bankrupt over the last two years… http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049424 VEHICLES Tesla drops 'Motors' from name as CEO Musk looks beyond cars. Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA.O) changed its name to "Tesla Inc" as Chief Executive Elon Musk looks to transform the Silicon Valley firm from an electric car maker to a diversified energy products company. In October, Musk unveiled solar-powered roof tiles that eliminate the need for traditional panels and a longer-lasting home battery illustrating the benefits of combining his electric car and battery maker with solar installer SolarCity Corp. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-namechange-idUSKBN15G4SL Google-Parent Alphabet’s Self-Driving Car Testing Far Ahead in California, Reports Show. Alphabet’s Waymo system logged the most miles and deactivated at a lower rate than others. New data on tests of self-driving car technology in California suggest that Alphabet Inc.’s efforts remain ahead of many rivals in the intensifying race to bring fully autonomous vehicles to the roads. https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-parent-alphabets-self-driving-car-testing-far-ahead-in-california-reports-show-1485993092 Tesla Gets Reprieve Under Protectionist Indiana Bill. A bill that would have driven automaker Tesla from doing business in Indiana has been revamped to allow the electric car company to stay. The Indiana House transportation committee amended and approved the bill Thursday. It grandfathers in Tesla but prohibits other major automakers from direct car sales in the future. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/tesla-reprieve-protectionist-indiana-bill-45219579 GREEN ENERGY Saudi Arabia Plans the World’s Cheapest Power With Solar and Wind. Saudi Arabia will award its first tender to build 700 megawatts of solar and wind energy in September, with the cost of power forecast to be the lowest in the world, Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said. OPEC’s biggest oil producer plans to build 300 megawatts of solar plants in the al-Jouf area in northern Saudi Arabia and 400 megawatts of wind projects… https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-01/saudis-plan-1st-renewables-bids-with-world-s-lowest-power-cost Solar developer steps up contract dispute with Duke. A California solar developer with more than 2,000 megawatts of projects in the works in North Carolina has filed a regulatory complaint against Duke Energy Corp. for not granting sufficient long-term contracts to buy the power from it. Cypress Creek Renewables LLC already owns and operates 767 MW of solar in North Carolina. The company, one of the nation's largest solar developers… http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049401 Energy storage has 'barely penetrated' low-income neighborhoods. Energy storage technologies promise to revolutionize the way electricity is consumed in the United States as more Americans look to batteries that can harness energy from rooftop solar panels and reduce customers' dependence on grid-delivered power. But with residential and small-scale commercial storage systems costing… http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049403 MISCELLANEOUS Senate Panel Approves Trump EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt. GOP Chairman suspended rules to approve nominee, who advances to a vote by the full Senate. Senate Republicans voted Thursday to advance President Donald Trump’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency, the latest nominee of the new administration the GOP is sending to the Senate floor despite near-universal Democratic opposition. https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-panel-approves-trump-epa-nominee-scott-pruitt-1486052220 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/us/politics/scott-pruitt-epa-senate.html?_r=0 Battle over EPA pick is big business. Outside groups are spending millions in the Senate battle over confirming Scott Pruitt, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). More than $3 million in spending and other actions on both sides are coming from nonprofit organizations that do not have to disclose their donors. http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/317472-battle-over-epa-pick-is-big-business US Republicans launch effort to abolish Environmental Protection Agency with new bill. Today, the American people are drowning in rules and regulations promulgated by unelected bureaucrats’. A bill to “completely abolish” the Environmental Protection Agency has been drafted that would close the main arm of the US Government responsible for fighting climate change by the end of next year. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/environmental-protection-agency-bill-drafted-abolish-matt-gaetz-congress-a7556596.html Republicans target environmental rules protecting parks and limiting methane. Congress begins effort to remove Obama-era protections, including measures to keep people safe when mountaintops are blown off to reach coal. Republicans have begun dismantling Obama-era environmental protections by targeting rules that restrict drilling in national parks, curb the release of methane… https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/01/environment-republicans-congress-climate-methane-parks?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=ae25013f32-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-ae25013f32-327747457 Trump team scouting for energy, enviro slots. The Trump team is actively looking to fill several key White House energy and environmental slots, according to a source close to the administration. While President Trump has selected his nominees for energy and environmental agencies, he has yet to fill some critical jobs within the White House, including a leader for the Council on Environmental Quality… http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/02/02/stories/1060049467 OPINIONS Is California climate law worsening pollution in communities of color? California’s main tool for fighting climate change is at a crossroads. Gov. Jerry Brown sees the so-called cap-and-trade system of buying and selling pollution permits as key to cutting greenhouse gas emissions nearly in half by 2030. The California Chamber of Commerce calls it an illegal tax… http://www.scpr.org/news/2017/02/02/68616/is-california-climate-law-worsening-pollution-in-c/ Why Environmentalists Are So Worried About Trump's Supreme Court Pick. Neil Gorsuch is a steadfast foe of the 'Chevron' standard, a pillar of modern regulatory law that matters greatly to climate change advocates. For environmentalists worried about future Supreme Court decisions on climate change, the biggest difference between Donald Trump's nominee to the court and Barack Obama's boils down to one word, Chevron. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/01022017/neil-gorsuch-donald-trump-supreme-court-climate-change?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=ae25013f32-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-ae25013f32-327747457 We’re probably underestimating how quickly electric vehicles will disrupt the oil market. Unpredictably rapid growth happens pretty predictably. Just about every analyst agrees that the electric vehicle market is poised for rapid growth. But how rapid? It’s not an idle question. The rate of EV growth will have huge implications for oil markets, auto markets, and electric utilities. Yet it is maddeningly difficult to predict the future; forecasts for the EV market are all over the place. http://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/2/2/14467748/electric-vehicles-oil-market BLOGS Tesla Has Little To Show In California's Tally Of Autonomous Car Test Data. Tesla is fixated on getting fully self-driving vehicle technology to owners of its electric cars as soon as possible, and rapidly updating the capabilities of the semi-automated Autopilot system it already offers. Yet public road test data filed with California’s Department of Motor Vehicles is limited and unimpressive… http://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2017/02/01/tesla-has-little-to-show-in-californias-tally-of-autonomous-car-test-data/#61af215b30d7 Think States Alone Can’t Handle Sea Level Rise? Ask California. Last March, a paper by a geoscientist named Rob DeConto came out in Nature. And as far as geology papers go, it was a big deal: It outlined a new paradigm for how Antarctic ice sheets are impacted by climate change. As the oceans and atmosphere warm, they don’t just melt the ice from below; they create honking cracks in glaciers that make it easier… https://www.wired.com/2017/02/think-states-alone-cant-handle-sea-level-rise-watch-california/ Anti-Tesla Bill Pops Up In Indiana. Indiana legislators have filed an anti-Tesla bill, prohibiting the sale of Tesla vehicles in the state. It specifically targets an all-electric automaker, but does not list Tesla’s name. Republican Ed Soliday filed the controversial bill, that is obviously anti-Tesla, proven by a list of qualifications that only fit the long-range battery-electric automaker. Specifics apply to automakers that:… http://insideevs.com/anti-tesla-bill-indiana/ California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.