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CARB Newsclips for April 12, 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.

CARB BUSINESS

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff invites you to
participate in an ongoing series of public working meetings to
discuss:  (1) changes to the pathway carbon intensity application
and evaluation process, (2) improvements to reporting and credit
generation processes, and (3) the integration of third-party
verification requirements under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard
(LCFS). The next two meetings will be held at the California
Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters Building as
follows:


Monday, April 17, 2017, 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
•    Fossil and Renewable Natural Gas, Including Biomethane From
Dairy and Livestock Operations

Monday, May 15, 2017, 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
•    Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel

Today’s notice is intended to confirm the dates, provide the
times and location, and supply instructions on how to participate
(in-person, over the phone, or webcast).  This information along
with discussion papers and other materials for review will be
posted at
http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs_meetings/lcfs_meetings.htm


The Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) will conduct a public
meeting at the time and place noted below to consider Truck Field
Enforcement Activities and New Screening Technology for High
Emitting Vehicles.

DATE:  	April 27, 2017
TIME:  	9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: 	California Environmental Protection Agency
          		Air Resources Board
         		Byron Sher Auditorium, 2nd Floor
          		1001 I Street
          		Sacramento, California 95814

WEBCAST: http://www.cal-span.org/         

Air Resources Board staff have posted a white paper on the health
benefits of physical activity and air pollution exposure while
walking and bicycling for transportation.  
Download the White Paper:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/vprp/physical_activity_and_health_final_161216.pdf
      

For more information, including the White Paper and other
resources, visit our Built Environment webpage:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/vprp/vprp.htm        

A fact sheet summarizing this document can be found here:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/html/fact_sheets/physical_activity_fact_sheet.pdf
  

On Monday, April 24th, the California Air Resources Board will
host a research seminar focusing on household transportation
choices and commitments of statewide greenhouse gas reductions
required by SB 375. Announcement available here:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/seminars/mokhtarian/mokhtarian.htm
 

The California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources
Board (ARB) will jointly conduct a workshop to discuss potential
methodologies to establish greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
reduction targets for 2030 to be used by California’s local
publicly owned electric utilities (POUs) when preparing their
individual integrated resource plans (IRP), as mandated by Senate
Bill 350, the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015
(de León, Chapter 547, Statutes of 2015). SB 350 calls for the
ARB to establish 2030 GHG reduction targets in coordination with
the Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC).

The workshop will be held Monday, April 17, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. 

The location of the workshop will be:

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
1516 Ninth Street
First Floor, Art Rosenfeld Hearing Room
Sacramento, California

CAP AND TRADE

Vt. Dems push 'carbon pollution' fee. Democratic representatives
in Vermont are introducing bills that would tax fossil fuels and
siphon that money into other sectors.
The first bill, which was announced by Vermont state Rep. Martin
LaLonde (D) from South Burlington, will use the tax money to
bolster state education and, in turn, reduce property taxes that
otherwise go into funding public schools.
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/04/12/stories/1060052961


AIR POLLUTION

Air Pollution Might Make Dangerous Bacteria Harder to Kill.
Inhaling black carbon could boost some disease-causing bacteria’s
resistance to antibiotics. Air pollution—particulates tossed into
the air from car exhaust, factory fumes, and power plants—is
nasty stuff. Breathing it in causes damage to your lung tissue.
It can trigger asthma attacks. It increases the risk of heart
attacks, strokes, and lung cancer.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/04/air-pollution-bacteria/522777/


California urges EPA not to withdraw information collection
request for oil companies' methane emissions. California Attorney
General Xavier Becerra announced April 3 that he has joined eight
attorneys general in sending a letter to U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt. The letter
opposes the EPA’s withdrawal of an information collection request
involving oil and natural gas company use of methane.
http://legalnewsline.com/stories/511102742-california-urges-epa-not-to-withdraw-information-collection-request-for-oil-companies-methane-emissions


Federal appeals court freezes ozone litigation. A federal appeals
court threw a massive tangle of litigation over U.S. EPA's 2015
ozone standard into limbo yesterday, agreeing to the agency's
request to indefinitely delay oral arguments as Trump
administration officials review their position on the
70-parts-per-billion air quality benchmark. In an unsigned order
issued late in the day, a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of
Appeals…
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/04/12/stories/1060053004 

CLIMATE CHANGE

As Trump threatens world climate pact, will India keep its
promises to cut emissions? Not long ago, global environmental
activists looked at India with worry. The world’s fastest growing
major economy — and one of its fastest growing emitters of carbon
— was building coal-fired power plants at a rapid clip while its
leaders argued that burning the carbon-spewing fossil fuel was
necessary for the country’s development.
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-india-climate-2017-story.html


Federal Climate Research, Targeted for Elimination by Trump,
Lauded by Scientists National Academies of Sciences endorses the
program overseeing federal research, calls for even more emphasis
on bringing carbon emissions to zero. The federal program
overseeing climate change research has won an important
endorsement from the authoritative National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering and Medicine just as it faces the threat of
budget cuts under the Donald Trump administration. An expert
National Academies review panel issued a ringing endorsement…
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/12042017/climate-change-research-national-academies-sciences-global-warming-donald-trump

Changing winds another tough break for polar bears: University of
Alberta study. Changing Arctic wind patterns could be bad news
for polar bears, according to a new study into how the predators
use their noses to track prey. Relying on 11 years of satellite
data on 123 polar bears in Canada’s Hudson Bay, University of
Alberta researchers found polar bears use a technique called
crosswind…
http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/changing-winds-another-tough-break-for-polar-bears-university-of-alberta-study
http://www.ibtimes.com/climate-change-threatens-polar-bears-using-arctic-wind-hunt-seals-2524707


Will National Park Service continue to care about climate? Marcy
Rockman started fielding excited calls from other federal
agencies soon after the National Park Service created her unique
position in 2011 to address how climate change will affect
buildings and other cultural resources embedded in America's
recreation meccas." I remember picking up the phone and hearing…
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/04/12/stories/1060052953


Trump taps carbon tax supporter for White House team. President
Trump's choice to lead a White House economics group has
supported carbon taxes and written extensively on the economics
of climate change. Trump last week announced he will nominate
Kevin Hassett, an expert on tax policy at the…
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/04/12/stories/1060052970

DROUGHT

From extreme drought to record rain: Why California's
drought-to-deluge cycle is getting worse. California’s climate
has long been dominated by cycles of intense dry conditions
followed by heavy rain and snow. But never before in recorded
history has the state seen such an extreme drought-to-deluge
swing. Experts and state water officials say California is seeing
more of these intense weather swings…
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-record-rains-20170410-story.html

The drought is over, but now L.A. is being swarmed by bugs. The
flowers aren’t the only things flourishing from all that rain. A
long, wet winter followed by warm temperatures has created the
perfect conditions for the insects currently swarming Southern
California. Those things that look like giant mosquitoes and tiny
black gnats invading your house are an unfortunate side effect of
the end of the drought.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gnats-insects-bugs-rain-20170411-story.html


California water allocations hit 100 percent – here’s why farmers
are still miffed. Central Valley farmers learned Tuesday they
will get a full allocation of water this year for the first time
since 2006. But their celebrations were muted. The U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation said it will provide a 100 percent allocation to
Central Valley Project customers this year, including the large
agricultural districts in the San Joaquin Valley.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article144007699.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/ 
http://www.capradio.org/93561 

Commercial salmon season slashed by lingering California drought
impacts. California’s commercial salmon industry is being slashed
this year because of lingering environmental impacts from the
drought. In a decision expected to make chinook salmon scarcer at
markets and restaurants, federal fishery managers called Tuesday
for sharp restrictions on commercial catches…
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/11/commercial-salmon-season-shortened-by-lingering-drought-impacts/


FUELS

New System to Convert Methane into Deep Green, Energy-Rich,
Gelatin-Like Substance. Oil and gas wells and even cattle release
methane gas into the atmosphere, and researchers are working on
ways to not only capture this gas but also convert it into
something useful and less-polluting. Now scientists at the
Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have
developed a new system to convert methane into a deep green,
energy-rich… http://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=24008 

Groups urge Zinke to review methane rule before altering it.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke should conduct an extensive review
of an Obama-era rule regulating methane waste on public lands
before changing it, groups representing veterans, religious
organizations and conservationists said today. The groups,
including the Colorado Council of Churches and Vet Voice
Foundation…
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/04/12/stories/1060052994 

VEHICLES

Mercedes-Benz undecided if it will sell future U.S. diesels.
Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz USA chief said the German automaker
has not decided whether to resume selling diesel vehicles in the
United States. The German automaker has not received approval
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to sell 2017 model
diesel vehicles.The EPA said in September 2015 that it would
review all U.S. diesel vehicles following…
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mercedes-benz-undecided-sell-future-u-diesels-205836568--finance.html;_ylt=A86.J3QDsu5YmwoAGEMnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByNWU4cGh1BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--


EPA Budget Slashes Emissions Testing Funds, Hikes Fees For
Manufacturers. US automakers have been pleading for relief from
what they consider burdensome fuel economy rules, but in an odd
twist to the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for, you just
might get it,” the Trump administration has announced plans to
not only loosen those rules but to slash the funding that pays
for EPA emissions testing as well.
https://cleantechnica.com/2017/04/11/epa-budget-slashes-emissions-testing-funds-hikes-fees-manufacturers/


Sensing trouble, automakers prepare to bargain with EPA, CARB on
emissions. For most new-car buyers, haggling is a necessary evil.
Now, car companies themselves are learning just how unpleasant
haggling can be, as they try to find common ground with the
Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources
Board on the subject of auto emissions.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1109879_sensing-trouble-automakers-prepare-to-bargain-with-epa-carb-on-emissions


Sometimes charging is pricier than gassing up. Fueling a car with
electricity could be more expensive and difficult than widely
thought. Automakers and environmental advocates have long touted
electric vehicles as a cheaper long-term alternative to gasoline
vehicles because electricity costs less on a per-mile basis. But
new studies by the auto and EV charging industries show there are
exceptions.
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/04/12/stories/1060052954


White House seeks deal with Calif. on emission standards. The
White House has told automakers it will seek to broker an
agreement on emissions standards with California to avoid a
patchwork of rules. Car companies that have pushed the
administration for relief on stringent emissions and mileage
requirements are also urging consistency around the country.
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060052982/search?keyword=california


VOLKSWAGEN

Volkswagen just made a big move to regain customers' trust after
the emissions' scandal. The German automaker announced that its
all-new 2018 Tiguan and Atlas SUVs, will come with warranties
that beat competitors like the Honda CR-V and Ford Explorer.
Volkswagen said on Tuesday it will offer six-year or 72,000-mile
warranties, whichever occurs first, for the SUVs, which are
transferable beyond the first owner.
http://www.businessinsider.com/volkswagen-big-move-regain-trust-after-fuel-emissions-scandal-2017-4
 
GREEN ENERGY

Renewable energy myths abound. Over the past year “alternative
facts” and “fake news” have become regrettable buzzwords used to
dismiss any viewpoint that does not support one’s own
preconceived notions. But when it comes to renewable energy,
there truly are numerous myths that perpetuate throughout the
media and culture that are not supported by any fair reading of
the available data.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2017/04/12/renewable-energy/100343640/


The Cows Of America Have A Renewable Energy Message For You. The
Trump Administration has been tooting the domestic energy
production horn, so it stands to reason they would enthuse over
the latest development from the US Department of Energy.
Scientists at the agency’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
have discovered a new secret to tapping the renewable energy
potential of that all-American resource, the domesticated cow.
https://cleantechnica.com/2017/04/12/cows-america-renewable-energy-message/


A 'quiet' year so far in clean energy investment. Global clean
energy investment cooled considerably in early 2017, punctuated
by a $5 billion drop in U.S. and Chinese spending compared with
the first quarter of 2016, according to data released yesterday
by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Overall, global investment in
clean energy was down 17 percent year-on-year…
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/04/12/stories/1060052955


Survey: Most enviro officials tied to fossil fuel industry. A new
survey has found almost a quarter of the Trump administration
appointees at federal agencies that handle environmental
regulations had ties to energy companies, and about half have no
regulatory experience. Of the 88 publicly revealed agency
officials, 25 were connected to the energy industry…
https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/04/12/stories/1060052956


OPINIONS

EPA — the Eviscerated Protection Agency. Our new denier-in-chief
believes “The concept of global warming was created by and for
the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.”
His hand-picked director of the EPA, Scott Pruitt, former
Oklahoma attorney general, has sued the agency at least 13 times.
He has sued over cross-state air pollution rules, air toxic
standards, waters of the U.S. rule, ground level ozone and
others. Pruitt, who has received nearly a half million dollars in
political contributions from the fossil fuel industry since 2002
has, apparently, never met an EPA rule that he liked.
http://www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/19728-epa-the-eviscerated-protection-agency


LOIS HENRY: OK, done with drought now on to the next California
disaster. I thought now might be a good time to mention the dark
side to the “end of California’s drought” — fire. I know, I’m
such a buzzkill. All this rain is filling up reservoirs,
replenishing our water table and reviving the ski industry but
it’s also making lots and lots of grass grow all over the state.
http://www.bakersfield.com/columnists/lois-henry-ok-done-with-drought-now-on-to-the/article_5fd43063-ffee-50bc-9c5f-a215f4d282e4.html