What's New List Serve Post Display

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

Staff from the California Department of Transportation, the
California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission,
and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
invite you to participate in workshops to discuss implementation
of the California Sustainable Freight Action Plan (Action Plan).

The workshops will be held at the locations and on the dates
noted below.  The agencies will follow the same format and show
the same presentation at each of the workshop locations.    

OAKLAND:          May 9, 2017 

LOS ANGELES:  May 30, 2017

SAN DIEGO:        May 31, 2017 

For more information on the California Sustainable Freight Action
Plan including upcoming workshops, please visit the webpage at
http://www.casustainablefreight.org/    
_________________________

David Cocker, PhD
University of California, Riverside. 

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., PDT (WEBCAST) Sierra Hearing
Room, 2nd Floor, CalEPA Building
1001 I Street, Sacramento, California

Low vapor pressure-volatile organic compounds (LVP-VOCs) are a
set of VOCs currently exempted for VOC content based on a
combination of boiling point, vapor pressure, and/or elution time
from a GC-column. This work explores evaporation rates and
secondary pollutant formation from a series of individual
LVP-VOCs associated with consumer products, select generic
consumer products that include these LVP-VOCs, and several
hydrocarbon solvents. For more go to the announcement at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/seminars/cocker/cocker.htm    

May 8, 2017: Public Workshop to discuss ARB's Carbon Capture and
Sequestration (CCS) Program.

At this workshop, ARB staff will present an overview of
activities taken by the CCS program in 2016, and an initial
concept of a Quantification Methodology (QM) and Permanence
Protocol for CCS.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/ccs/meetings/meetings.htm         

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
    

CAP AND TRADE

Bill Would Return California Carbon-Fee Money to Consumers
California Senate Democrats on Monday proposed a significant
overhaul of the state's cap-and-trade program that would use
money raised from taxing polluters to give rebates to consumers.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2017-05-01/bill-would-return-california-carbon-fee-money-to-consumers


Ontario lowers projections for cap-and-trade revenues. Ontario is
lowering its projections for how much money its cap-and-trade
program will bring in this year and next to allow for market
fluctuations. The Liberal government estimated in last year's
budget that the program would bring in $1.9 billion per year, but
this year's budget projected $1.8 billion for this fiscal year,
and $1.4 billion annually starting in 2018-19.
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/05/01/ontario-expecting-smaller-cap-and-trade-revenues.html

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/national/canada-m-tonnes-away-from-meeting-international-emissions-promise/article_c9b1c3ec-3315-5358-af34-1ff4441ff697.html

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7271764-emissions-down-but-climate-goal-far-off/


AIR POLLUTION

UK government agrees to publish air pollution strategy in next
week
A draft plan to tackle air pollution will finally be published
within the next week, after No 10 said it would not challenge a
court ruling forcing the government to release information before
the election.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/02/uk-government-publish-air-pollution-strategy


Judge approves Obama deal on EPA reviews
After the Trump administration raised no objections, a federal
judge has approved a settlement that sets firm deadlines for U.S.
EPA to complete its latest reviews of air quality standards for
nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/05/01/stories/1060053838 

EPA asks what rules to cut, gets earful about dirty water
The Trump administration got an earful Tuesday from people who
say federal rules limiting air and water pollution aren't tough
enough, even as it was seeking suggestions about what
environmental regulations it should gut.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/ct-epa-rules-cut-comments-20170502-story.html



North Dakota oil refinery's air quality application amended. A
Houston-based company that wants to build an oil refinery near
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota has
amended its state air quality permit application with a new
design it believes will lower emission rates and construction
cost.
https://www.apnews.com/2f0afb1d8b404e529b6bfd47468be933/North-Dakota-oil-refinery's-air-quality-application-amended


APD Foundation to assess impact of air pollution on auto drivers'
health
After conducting a pulmonary function test (PFT) on the traffic
police of Mangaluru city, the Anti-Pollution Drive Foundation has
initiated a programme to assess the impact of air pollution on
the health of auto rickshaw drivers in the city.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/apd-foundation-to-assess-impact-of-air-pollution-on-auto-drivers-health/articleshow/58464257.cms


CLIMATE CHANGE

State committee launching 9-stop climate change tour. The
chairman of the Senate's global warming committee hopes a
listening tour launching next week will pressure legislative
leaders and Gov. Charlie Baker to take further action to address
climate change. Senate Global Warming and Climate Change
Committee Chairman Marc Pacheco said the nine-stop tour aims to
keep energy policy issues "on the front burner."
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/business/ci_30957568/state-committee-launching-9-stop-climate-change-tour#ixzz4fsG4FkGO


How climate change deniers’ lies made a leading sceptic change
sides
The head of a libertarian think tank in the US has explained how
he turned from a climate science denier into a leading advocate
for taking action to prevent further global warming.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change-denier-lies-sceptic-change-sides-jerry-taylor-niskanen-libertarian-a7713016.html


FUELS

New study shows economic value of RNG in California
A new jobs study reveals that deploying trucks fueled by
renewable natural gas could create up to 130,000 new jobs and add
$14 billion to California’s economy.
http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/14339/new-study-shows-economic-value-of-rng-in-california


VW RECALL

How will N.J. use millions from Volkswagen settlements?
As New Jersey waits to receive up to $72 million related to deals
Volkswagen reached in the past year to settle consumer lawsuits
and government allegations that it cheated on emissions tests,
state lawmakers are starting to lay out priorities for how the
money should be spent.
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/05/01/how-nj-use-millions-volkswagen-settlements/101159158/


GREEN ENERGY

Green California may become even greener
Kevin de León wants to make environmentally friendly California
even greener. 
A day after unveiling a plan to upend California’s cap-and-trade
program, Democrats in the Senate are introducing a proposal
Tuesday that calls for 100 percent of the retail electricity sold
in the state to come from renewable energy sources by the end of
2045. 
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article147971884.html#storylink=cpy


NY state saves $20M through green energy, recycling. Increased
recycling, greater reliance on renewable energy and less use of
copy paper have saved New York state government nearly $20
million over five years. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office
released a list of savings Friday that it says are the result of
efforts to reduce the state's environmental impact. Since 2011,
the state has reduced its use of copy paper by 35 percent.
https://www.apnews.com/afb46d2294f34a2da4140bfc3508aef0/NY-state-saves-$20M-through-green-energy,-recycling

Work starting on 4,000-panel solar farm in Indiana. Work is about
to start on installing 4,000 panels for a solar energy farm along
Interstate 65 near Columbus, Indiana. The new farm covering about
seven acres is among 10 being built by Hoosier Energy to produce
power for 18 electrical cooperatives in southern and central
Indiana and southeastern Illinois.
https://www.apnews.com/61ff7921526544d18192d59f4c608b4e/Work-starting-on-4,000-panel-solar-farm-in-Indiana


1st US offshore wind farm powering more of Rhode Island. The
nation's first offshore wind farm is powering more of Rhode
Island. The Block Island Power Company says it shut down its
diesel generators and transferred the island's electrical grid
Monday, a savings of nearly 1 million gallons of diesel fuel
annually. Deepwater Wind's five turbines began generating power
for the mainland grid in December.
https://www.apnews.com/c2e57ae5670a403fac50994e726d03f5/1st-US-offshore-wind-farm-powering-more-of-Rhode-Island


Dominion plans to add more solar to its energy mix. Dominion
Virginia Power said Monday it plans to substantially increase the
amount of electricity it generates from solar power in the coming
decades. Virginia's largest utility laid out its long-range
forecast of electricity demand and production in a regulatory
filing called an integrated resource plan.
https://www.apnews.com/913d1fc2d23349bfb7299c9ae8441b9f/Dominion-plans-to-add-more-solar-to-its-energy-mix


MISCELLANOUS

California's Clean Air Agency Endorses LA 2024's Commitment to
Greenest Games in History
LA 2024’s commitment to host the most sustainable Olympic and
Paralympic Games ever in 2024 was backed today by California’s
clean air agency, the California Air Resources Board (CARB),
which issued a letter praising the bid committee’s approach to
environmental protection.
http://aroundtherings.com/site/A__59971/Title__Californias-Clean-Air-Agency-Endorses-LA-2024s-Commitment-to-Greenest-Games-in-History/292/Articles

Leonardo DiCaprio Attends Climate Change March in Washington,
D.C.
Academy Award–winning actor and environmentalist Leonardo
DiCaprio continued his work on the latter this weekend and took
it back to activism basics. The superstar was spotted amongst the
masses participating in a climate change march in Washington,
D.C.
http://www.wmagazine.com/story/leonardo-dicaprio-attends-climate-change-march


OPINIONS

New bill would help California combat climate change
California’s cap-and-trade program, the crucial mechanism for
California’s fight against climate change, is facing stiff
headwinds. The California Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit
against the program years ago, challenging the program’s legality
because it functions like a tax but did not receive a two-thirds
vote in the state Legislature.
http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/New-bill-would-help-California-combat-climate-11113145.php


Marin IJ Editorial: Marin’s ‘A’ for air quality just part of the
story
Marin got an “A” from the American Lung Association for having
some of the cleanest air around. Our county can take pride in the
high mark, but it’s no reason to breathe easy. The grade comes
from the association’s 18th annual “State of the Air” report
which grades the Bay Area on the number of days air pollution
levels exceed federal health standards.
http://www.marinij.com/opinion/20170501/marin-ij-editorial-marins-a-for-air-quality-just-part-of-the-story


Reader View: Leaders must push to clean air, safe communities.
Northern New Mexico is home to many sacred things that we love
about calling New Mexico home: beautiful acequias and ranch land,
rich and diverse cultural history, and communities that feel like
(and in some cases are) family. We live in New Mexico because to
us, it’s home. Our families are rooted here, and our history can
be traced back generations.
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/reader-view-leaders-must-push-to-clean-air-safe-communities/article_91ece3bd-27ea-527a-a89d-f9393852f3ef.html


Economics of climate change. Most of us think of climate change
as an environmental issue. In reality it is more of an economic
issue. In an average year extreme weather events are now costing
us well over $100 billion, and some years over $200 billion. And
that’s just for weather-related events such as droughts, extreme
heat, extreme rain, floods and wind storms.
http://idahostatejournal.com/opinion/columns/economics-of-climate-change/article_d6b088b7-e831-5d30-a1c3-79817dbfdf35.html


Bipartisan effort to undo climate change. Recently retired Idaho
Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones, a Republican, had his
guest opinion piece “During Earth Day Week, Here’s a
Nonscientific Approach to Climate Change,” published in the Boise
Idaho Statesman on April 17. It’s well worth reading, especially
if like me you join Justice Jones in the category of nonscientist
citizens…
http://idahostatejournal.com/opinion/columns/bipartisan-effort-to-undo-climate-change/article_c3a31661-d6a6-5c32-8ea1-f206fb235f20.html


U.S. hydropower: Room to grow in renewable energy production and
water storage
For millennia, humankind has harnessed the power of water. The
ancient Romans developed the earliest water wheels to grind grain
into flour. In modern times, hydropower emerged as an affordable,
clean, and reliable source of renewable energy.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/1/us-hydropower-room-to-grow-in-renewable-energy-pro/


BLOGS

Unmask My City: Because everyone deserves clean air and a stable
climate
Unmask My City launches today, which is World Asthma Day, to
raise awareness of the threat of air pollution on health. This
month, APHA’s Year of Climate Change and Health is looking at air
quality and climate change, and our guest bloggers explore this
topic in today’s post. Linda Rudolph, MD, directs the Center for
Climate Change and Health at the Public Health Institute and
hosts the US Climate and Health Alliance…
http://www.publichealthnewswire.org/?p=17631 

Suit Seeks Info About Bullying Of Federal Workers Over Climate
Change
A nonprofit watchdog organization has filed suit against two
federal agencies, seeking any documents concerning possible
harassment of federal workers amid political suppression of their
work. One of the agencies, the Department of Energy, requested
information almost immediately after Donald Trump moved into the
White House on workers who had links to climate change issues.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-climate-change-intimidation_us_5907db46e4b05c397681cc0e


Atlanta Commits To 100 Percent Renewable Energy By 2035
Atlanta lawmakers approved a measure on Monday aimed at powering
the city entirely on renewable energy sources, including solar
and wind, by 2035.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/atlanta-renewable-energy_us_5907ca45e4b05c397681b81b


Switzerland wants to save a glacier from global warming by
literally throwing cold water on it. Global warming will affect
everyone on Earth, likely causing environmental devastation and
human displacement at massive economic costs. Those economic
effects can sometimes be forestalled by spending now to fight the
effects of climate change.
https://qz.com/972621/to-save-its-famous-morteratsch-glacier-switzerland-is-testing-blowing-artificial-snow-to-prevent-glacier-melt/