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California Air Resources Board News Clips for August 4, 2011.  

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

How Burning Biomass With Carbon Capture Can Remove CO2 From The
Air. Capture systems attached to biomass-burning power plants
could reduce annual emissions by an amount equal to a third of
the global industrial output of carbon dioxide, a new study says.
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) typically is associated
with coal plants, but researchers increasingly are looking at
other options for the yet-to-be-commercialized technology.
Posted. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2011/08/04/4 BY
PAID SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate Change Affecting Each U.S. State, Web Tool Shows. How
badly is climate change affecting your state? A new web tool
allows users to see how vulnerable their area has been to
drought, flooding and heat extremes as well as the health
problems that go along with them. This tool, based in part on
weather data gathered by the National Climatic Data Center and
developed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, compares each
state's temperatures from 2000 through 2009 to those from 1961 to
1990. Posted.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/08/climate-change-impact-your-area-nrdc-tool/1
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2011/08/04/8  BY PAID
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

INLAND: Website Details Climate Change Health Effects.
Communities in Inland Southern California and elsewhere should
prepare for health problems caused by climate change, including
an increase in infectious diseases such as West Nile virus,
heat-related illnesses and asthma attacks brought on by smog and
smoke from wildfires, scientists said Wednesday. Climate change
is one of the most serious public health threats facing the
nation, …Posted. 
http://www.pe.com/localnews/environment/stories/PE_News_Local_D_heat04.2e5948f.html

Our Biggest Security Threat Is Global Warming-Induced Extreme
Weather. Scientists have been predicting for years that global
warming would produce record-breaking extremes on either side of
the thermometer. This past winter, America survived its so-called
snowpocalypse, and now that summer has arrived, we've got a heat
dome. If you're wondering what the hell that is -- it's just
another obvious climate change assassin that we could see coming
miles away, if some of us were paying better attention. Posted.
http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/151885

A High, Icy Lab For Learning The Past And Future Impacts Of
Climate Change. Second in a three-part series. Summit Station,
Greenland -- At first glance, this research station on the
highest point of Greenland's vast ice sheet doesn't look like
much. A scattering of trailers perch on stilts high above the
snow, with a neat grid of small yellow tents off to one side.
There's a tall metal tower, a few outhouses. A pile of fuel
bladders stands in stark contrast next to the carefully groomed
ice runway. Climate change has accelerated the melting of
Greenland's vast ice sheet. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2011/08/04/1 BY PAID
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

A Focus On Non-CO2 Warming Agents Could Slow Climate Change.
Cutting emissions of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide
could "substantially lessen" climate change over the short term,
federal researchers said yesterday. Reducing the world's output
of methane, nitrous oxide, and some ozone-depleting substances
could bring other benefits as well, such as improved air and
water quality, scientists with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration wrote in a study published in the new
issue of the journal Nature. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2011/08/04/7 BY PAID
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

Biodegradable Plastics Release Greenhouse Gases. Biodegradable
plastics may have an undesired side-effect: They could contribute
to global warming. Researchers at North Carolina State University
found that these polymers release methane, a potent greenhouse
gas, as they break down over the course of a few years.
"Everybody assumes that biodegradable is desirable," said Morton
Barlaz, one of the study's authors. "This study calls that into
question." Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2011/08/04/9 BY PAID
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

DIESEL EMISSIONS

Port Truckers To Make Case For Delay In CARB Emissions
Requirements. A panel hearing is scheduled for today in Oakland,
CA, to give truckers hauling in and out of the area port the
opportunity to voice their concerns about the impact of the
scheduled Phase II, emissions-related upgrades for drayage trucks
that are currently mandated by the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) under the statewide drayage truck regulations which went
into effect in 2007. Posted.
http://fleetowner.com/green/archive/port-truckers-carb-emissions-0804/

VEHICLES

GM Profit Doubles As Global Sales And Prices Rise. After years of
big discounts, GM is finally getting a good price for its cars
and trucks, and it's helping the company's bottom line. General
Motors Co. surprised Wall Street Thursday by doubling its
second-quarter profit. A big reason was higher prices for its
vehicles worldwide. When demand for small cars rose in the spring
because of high gas prices, GM was able to meet that demand with
its new Chevrolet Cruze while Toyota and Honda sat on the
sidelines. Posted. 
http://www.nctimes.com/business/article_e646e30b-6cd5-5eb1-b462-f24448546b7f.html
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110804/OEM/110809901/1231

Green Tires Make Fewer Compromises. Low-rolling-resistance tires
improved vehicle fuel economy when they were introduced in the
1970s. But mileage gains came at a cost: long wet braking
distances and poor handling grip. But now, as the price of
gasoline and federal corporate average fuel economy standards
rise, Continental AG, Michelin and Bridgestone Corp. are
responding with new tires that offer improved fuel economy and
shorter braking distances. Posted. 
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110803/OEM05/308049996/1186
GREEN ENERGY

John Doerr Says U.S. Must Do More On Clean Energy. John Doerr,
head of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers' alternative-energy
practice, said he would give the United States a C grade for
development of green technology, which trails innovation in
Internet and biotechnology. His grade would have been a D or F
without $20 billion in loan guarantees for clean-energy projects
under President Obama's stimulus plan and collaborative work
between the government and private sector, Doerr said Tuesday at
an event in Palo Alto. Posted.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/04/BUBC1KIP4F.DTL&type=printable

Clean Tech Sees 44% Drop-Off In VC, Report Says. Ernst & Young
reported Wednesday that venture capital investments in U.S.
clean-tech companies plunged 44 percent to hit $1.1 billion in
this year's second quarter; although the consulting firm
cautioned that the numbers look worse than they actually are. The
drop-off was even more pronounced in Northern California, where
clean-tech investments fell 63 percent compared with the same
period last year, settling at $363.8 million. Posted.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/04/BU5C1KJ09B.DTL&type=printable

High-Tech Bulb Captures Old Glow, Wins $10M Prize. The Department
of Energy unveiled a light bulb today that doesn't just use less
energy than the traditional incandescent: It also gives off the
same glow that Americans cherish. The bulb, designed by Philips
Electronics North America Corp., yesterday won DOE's "L-Prize," a
contest set up in a 2007 energy law. The competition dangled a
$10 million pot in front of the company that could reproduce the
feel of a traditional, 60-watt incandescent while using no more
than 10 watts. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2011/08/04/3 BY PAID
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

Assessing California's Chances For Meeting Its 33% Renewable
Portfolio Standard. On April 12, Gov. Jerry Brown, D-Calif.,
signed into law Senate Bill 2, which increases the statutory
renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in California to 33% by the
year 2020 - up from a goal of 20% by the year 2010. Senate Bill 2
continues the trend of setting aggressive targets so as to signal
that there will be continued demand for renewable production in
the decade to come. Posted.
http://solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.8437
MISCELLANEOUS

Riverside County: New Natural Gas Buses Planned. The cost of
natural gas buses is no longer a hotly debated issue for
Riverside Transit Agency officials -- unlike a decade ago -- but
it remains a big investment for the western-county bus system
amid shrinking state and federal funding. Because natural gas
tanks must be replaced every 15 years at a price tag of $80,000
each, transit agencies such as Riverside are left with the choice
of replacing the tanks or their aging fleets. Posted. 
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_cngbuses04.38efcb6.html

Revision to the California State Implementation Plan; South Coast
Air Quality Management District.  SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct
final action to approve a revision to the South Coast Air Quality
Management District portion of the California State
Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns volatile
organic compound (VOC) emissions from polymeric foam
manufacturing operations. We are approving a local rule that
regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as
amended in 1990 (CAA). Posted.
http://www.techzone360.com/news/2011/08/04/5682879.htm

OPINION

Leader In Energy Efficiency. When President Barack Obama
announced an agreement to double fuel-economy requirements last
week, standing with him were industry executives and
environmental, public health and labor leaders, all of whom,
remarkably, had signed off on the deal. But the real credit for
this historic achievement, which is expected to cut oil
consumption by 1.5 million barrels per day and eliminate half of
all carbon pollution nationwide, doesn't go to the White House.
Instead, thank California. Posted.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinions/ci_18611296

BLOGS

Philips Wins Energy Department’s Lighting Prize. Philips, the
Netherlands-based consumer electronics giant, is now $10 million
richer, having just won the L Prize, awarded by the federal
Department of Energy in a contest to invent the next generation
of solid-state lighting. Formally titled the Bright Lighting
Tomorrow Prize, the award was introduced to encourage companies
to create highly efficient alternatives to standard incandescent
lamps. Posted. 
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/philips-wins-energy-departments-lighting-prize/

Will Oil Consumers Tighten Their Belts? There’s always a lot of
concern about energy, especially when very hot weather reminds us
of climate change and headlines warn that unrest in the Middle
East could drive up oil and gasoline prices again at any moment.
But Petrobras’s chief executive, José Sergio Gabrielli de
Azevedo, who is in the United States this week talking up his
company’s new business plan, sees reason for optimism. Posted. 
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/will-oil-consumers-tighten-their-belts/

Climate Change an Extra Burden for Native Americans, Study Says.
Because tribal lands are particularly prone to drought, flooding,
wildfires and other weather extremes, American Indian tribes
suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change, a
new study from the National Wildlife Federation and other groups
reported Wednesday. American Indians and Alaska natives are more
dependent than most other Americans on natural resources and on
the bounty of oceans …Posted. 
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/climate-change-an-extra-burden-for-native-americans-study-says/

DWP's Solar Program To Relaunch In September With Lower Rebates.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power gave the go-ahead
Tuesday to relaunch the Solar Incentive Program next month.
Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. The
revised program is doubling its budget from $30 million to $60
million for the next three years and lowers rebates to be more in
line with market pricing for residential, government, nonprofit
and commercial buildings. Posted.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/08/solar-power-initiative-ladwp-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GreenspaceEnvironmentBlog+%28Greenspace%29

Climate Change And Health: How Vulnerable Is Your City? As
temperatures rise, so could the threats to your health. Climate
experts predict average temperatures in California could rise
between 4.7 to 10.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of this
century, potentially worsening illnesses related to extreme heat
and air pollution, according to Natural Resources Defense
Council, which released web-based climate change impact maps
Wednesday. Posted.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/08/climate-change-warmer-temperatures-air-pollution-national-resources-defence-council.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GreenspaceEnvironmentBlog+%28Greenspace%29

Warmer Temperatures To Expand California Exotic Grass
Populations. Warmer temperatures in California could lead to a
substantial statewide expansion of exotic grass populations,
according to a new study that catalogued over 400 native and
exotic grasses in the state. Researchers from UC Berkeley say
exotic grasses dry out faster than native varieties, making the
state more vulnerable to wildfires. Exotic grasses also hold
pathogens that attack crops, such as wheat, or affect people who
eat beef from cows that graze on exotic species. They also
compete with native grasses for water. Posted.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/08/global-warming-california-grass.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GreenspaceEnvironmentBlog+%28Greenspace%29

BONSALL: District Prepares To Install Solar Panels, Energy
Upgrades At Bonsall Schools. The Bonsall Union School District
will receive $700,000 in energy-saving upgrades and cut about
$50,000 a year from its utility bills through cost-free
agreements with two Sacramento-based companies. "When we first
heard about this, it sounded too good to be true," said Tom
Krzmarzick, assistant superintendent of business services for the
district. Bonsall will not be the first North County district to
get energy from solar panels at its schools. Posted. 
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/fallbrook/article_f11f4afa-c036-5ceb-9c5e-5596d71c0fe2.html

Trade War Looms Over Airlines’ Refusal to Comply with EU
Cap-And-Trade Law. In June, I wrote about whether the US was
right to seek an exemption from the European Union’s Emissions
Trading Scheme (EU ETS) for US airlines. The cap-and-trade
scheme, designed to curb CO2 emissions, is being vigorously
opposed by the American Air Transport Association, and a month
on, it seems things are no less fractious, with the rhetoric from
Capital Hill going up a notch. Posted. 
http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/08/refusal-comply-eu-cap-trade-law-worth-risking-trade-war/

Enterprise Both Gung-Ho And Hesitant About Electric Vehicles.
Enterprise-Rent-a-Car claims that it's the first rental agency in
the U.S. to offer the Chevrolet Volt and that is has already
introduced electric vehicles in Southern California, Texas,
Tennessee, Hawaii, New York, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle.
Just last month, Enterprise launched a 12-month electric vehicle
pilot project, involving eight Peugeot iOns, in London. Posted.
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/04/enterprise-both-gung-ho-and-hesitant-about-electric-vehicles/

Helios Eco Trailer: The Entertainment Industry’s First Solar
Hybrid Vehicle. With so many green transportation designs out
there, you’d think that an eco-friendly entertainment production
trailer would already exist, but the recently released Helios Eco
trailer is taking the title as the very first. Helios’s creator,
King Kong Production Vehicles, claims that it the world’s first
solar hybrid production trailer. Posted.
http://inhabitat.com/helios-eco-trailer-the-entertainment-industry%e2%80%99s-first-solar-hybrid-vehicle/