What's New List Serve Post Display

California Air Resources Board News Clips for August 16, 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

Mining officials, Pechanga members argue over quarry. Attorney
for Granite Construction says the Native Americans failed to
notify firm of mountain peak's sacred status. A Pechanga
representative disputes charges that religious claims are not
authentic. A contentious hearing on Monday over a massive rock
quarry proposed near Temecula drew hundreds of people and sparked
a heated exchange between mining officials and representative of
the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. Posted.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-quarry-20110816,0,4758895,print.story

EPA Resists Calls to Strengthen CO Standard. The EPA has declined
to change the national air quality standards for carbon monoxide,
but will require more focused monitoring in densely populated
areas. The agency yesterday said its review of the science showed
that air quality standards set in 1971, at nine parts per million
over eight hours and 35 ppm measured over one hour, protect
public health and the environment. Posted.
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/08/16/epa-resists-calls-to-strengthen-co-standard/

CLIMATE CHANGE

U.S. cities try to adapt climate change. Adapt to climate change?
While some members of Congress debate its scientific validity,
U.S. cities are going beyond efforts to mitigate climate change
with lower greenhouse gas emissions. They're at the forefront of
an emerging trend: adaptation. "It's a new field," says Brian
Holland, director of climate programs at ICLEI-Local Governments
for Sustainability USA. His association launched a Climate
Resilient Communities program last year to help cities study
effects of climate change and finance ways to adapt. Posted.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/08/us-cities-adapt-climate-change/1

More than 2,000 protesters rally outside Australian Parliament
House against carbon tax plans.  More than 2,000 protesters
gathered outside Australia’s Parliament House on Tuesday to
demonstrate against government plans for an unpopular
anti-pollution tax that many Australians believe will raise the
cost of living.  Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to pass the
legislation, which will tax the country’s biggest carbon gas
emitting businesses, with the support of independent lawmakers
and the environmentally focused Greens party.  Posted. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/more-than-2000-protesters-rally-outside-australian-parliament-house-against-carbon-tax-plans/2011/08/16/gIQAHyVMIJ_story.html

Rick Perry thinks Texas climate scientists are in a ‘secular
carbon cult’. Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has watched firsthand the
ravages of a warming climate, first as his state's agriculture
commissioner (killer droughts and record heat in 1996 and 1998)
then as governor (droughts in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009,
2010, and 2011, with Texas' hottest July in history). Perry
declared the 1996 drought "the worst natural disaster in Texas in
the 20th century." Posted. 
http://www.grist.org/climate-skeptics/2011-08-15-rick-perry-thinks-texas-climate-scientists-secular-carbon-carbon

Calif. stakeholders press CARB on emissions cap-and-trade design.
Washington -California stakeholders have urged the state's
air-quality regulator to adopt changes to the design of its
cap-and-trade program, which is aimed at cutting greenhouse gas
emissions, in order to reduce compliance costs, comments filed
last week show.  Comments were due by Thursday on the proposed
regulations published in July. Posted.
http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/ElectricPower/6377910

U.S.-based emissions tracking system spreads to Europe. A
commercial network for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions is
expanding into Europe. Earth Networks is working with the
E.U.-funded Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) to add 25
new European locations to its planned global greenhouse gas
tracking network. Scientists from the ICOS project will help
Earth Networks site its European monitoring points and advise the
company on data standards and instrument calibration. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2011/08/16/4 BY PAID
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

DIESEL EMISSIONS

Terminal operators at ports of L.A. and Long Beach agree to cut
diesel emissions. Seven terminal operators at the ports will
undertake cleanup projects under a settlement reached with
California Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris. Terminal operators at the
ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach that were alleged to be in
violation of diesel emission standards will be undertaking
cleanup projects estimated to cost $1 million apiece under a
settlement reached with California's attorney general. Posted.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-diesel-settlement-20110816,0,6646925,print.story
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/15/3840087/ports-of-la-long-beach-settle.html
http://www.modbee.com/2011/08/15/1817387/ports-of-la-long-beach-settle.html
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_18687742
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_18686015
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_18687742
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/15/ports-of-la-long-beach-settle-pollution-lawsuit/
http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=20411

Newworld Capital Group Acquires Cleaire Advanced Emission
Controls, LLC. New York -- NewWorld Capital Group today announced
that it has acquired Cleaire Advanced Emission Controls, LLC, a
leading developer and manufacturer of particulate matter and
nitrogen oxides abatement products for on-road and off-road
heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles.  Joining New World in this
investment are Ingleside Investors, North Sky Capital, and Spring
Mountain Capital. Posted.
http://www.abc12.com/story/15267792/newworld-capital-group-acquires-cleaire-advanced-emission-controls-llc
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/08/15/prweb8717683.DTL
http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=74421&news_category_id=36

FUELS

Falling diesel prices more a short-term blip. Though diesel fuel
prices in the U.S. took a welcome nosedive over the past two
weeks, dropping an average of over 10 cents per gallon between
Aug. 1 and Aug. 15 experts not only believe the decline will be
short-lived, but it will also be muted given the broader economic
uncertainty now occurring. “It’s a positive for trucking that
diesel fuel prices are now falling, but a lot of the benefit is
getting washed out because of all the economic volatility at the
moment “ and broad volatility is not good,” Jonathan Starks,
director of transportation analysis for research firm FTR
Associates, told Fleet Owner. Posted.
http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Falling+diesel+prices+more+a+short-term+blip&urlID=458548967&action=cpt&partnerID=97626&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffleetowner.com%2Fmanagement%2Fnews%2Ffalling-diesel-prices-longterm-0816%2F

VEHICLES

More electric vehicle charging stations showing up in Southern
Arizona.  Sahuarita is joining the electric car revolution. 
Saturday, community leaders celebrated the availability of two
new charging stations.  "This unit right here is the inverter,"
said Jason Trible.  Trible was showing off his Nissan Leaf at the
event.  His Leaf will be more convenient to drive now that there
are two charging stations near his home.  Posted. 
http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/More-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-showing-up-in-Southern-Arizona-127791823.html

Charge your EV as easily as your toothbrush.  Charging an
electric vehicle (EV) is considering different options: overnight
at home with low-power source, at fast-charging stations in the
public space, but also, less predictable, just by parking on a
special spot, equipped with wireless charging. cars21.com
summarises the assets and drawbacks of wireless charging, how
likely it could happen and for which use.  Posted. 
http://www.cars21.com/content/articles/63920110816.php

Drivers rewarded for driving electric cars.  Parts of the Wasatch
Front have spent several days under a red air-quality alert. More
than half of the air pollution comes from vehicle emissions. To
reduce emissions, people can drive less or take public
transportation. A third option is to drive an electric car, which
emits no pollution. To encourage more people to do option No. 3,
Salt Lake City has installed six charging stations throughout the
city.  Posted. 
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700171147/Drivers-rewarded-for-driving-electric-cars.html

Los Angeles County's Politicians Sound Off On Transportation. We
contacted Los Angeles County’s congressional delegation to see
where each member stood on transportation issues. Here are some
of their comments. 1. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other
transportation advocates want to build 30 years’ worth of
projects in 10 years. What is your position on America Moving
Forward? Sen. Barbara Boxer, Democrat: This initiative will
improve the local economy by creating hundreds of thousands of
jobs, reduce carbon pollution emissions, and ease traffic
congestion. Posted.
http://www.neontommy.com/news/2011/08/los-angeles-countys-politicians-sound-transportation

FuelCell to show off hydrogen fuel process. Danbury's FuelCell
Energy Inc. is preparing to show off Tuesday in California the
capability of its alternative power plant to co-generate
renewable hydrogen to run automobiles. With state and federal
energy and air-quality authorities looking on, FuelCell is
scheduled to demonstrate its hydrogen fueling station installed
at the Orange County Sanitation District in Fountain Valley,
Calif. Posted. http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news19993.html

GREEN ENERGY

Dominion study: Projects generate billions for Va. Dominion
Virginia Power generation and conversion projects will produce
more than $3.3 billion in economic benefits by 2015, a study
released Monday by the utility concludes. The nine projects, some
of which date to 2007, will support more than 14,200 construction
jobs through 2015, according to Chmura Economics & Analytics, the
Richmond Company that conducted the study. Posted. 
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/aug/15/dominion-study-projects-generate-billions-for-va/

OPINIONS

EDITORIAL: Into the ozone with the O Force. Whether it's ozone or
carbon dioxide, the cost of overregulating the air around us is
more than the nation can afford. Even the Obama administration
may be taking a breather, as the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) on Friday held off on issuing proposed new ozone standards.
The agency claims more regulations are necessary because the
conveniences of modern industrial society are making the planet
toasty, but the pause has raised alarm in radical environmental
circles. Posted. 
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/15/into-the-ozone-with-the-o-force/print/

The Clear Case for the Gas Tax. Unless Congress extends it, the
18.4 cents-a-gallon federal gas tax will expire on Sept. 30.
Allowing that to happen would be tremendously destructive. It
would bankrupt the already stressed Highway Trust Fund, with
devastating effects on the country’s highways, bridges, mass
transit systems and the economy as a whole. Posted. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/opinion/the-clear-case-for-the-gas-tax.html?scp=10&sq=fuels&st=cse

Another Global Warming Oops Moment.  One of the hilarious aspects
of global warming’s “settled science” is how unsettled it
actually is. To the point that one day such and such is bad for
us and the next day it’s good for us, or vice versa. Here’s the
latest Global Warming Oops Moment: “Until now, tropical forests
were considered to be among the planet’s strongest allies in the
battle against global warming. Posted. 
http://orangepunch.ocregister.com/2011/08/15/another-global-warming-oops-moment-7/48095/

BLOGS

In Chrysler Deal, Cellulosic Ethanol Firm Gets a Prominent
Partner. Chrysler entered into a memorandum of understanding with
the cellulosic ethanol producer ZeaChem, it was announced Monday.
But though the automaker builds so-called flex fuel vehicles that
run on an E85 ethanol formulation, it is unclear exactly what
might come of the new partnership. Vince Muniga, a spokesman for
Chrysler powertrain operations, said in a telephone interview
that Chrysler “is looking at a lot of alternative fuels, …Posted.
 http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/in-chrysler-deal-cellulosic-ethanol-firm-gets-a-high-profile-partner/?scp=7&sq=fuels&st=cse

QUARRY: Debate over sacred site continues at hearing. A proposed
Temecula-area quarry will not harm sites deemed sacred by a local
American Indian tribe, an expert and lawyer speaking on behalf of
the quarry's developer said this morning. Also, Liberty Quarry
lies outside the property where the Pechanga Band of Luiseno
Indians believe the world began, according to Mark Harrison, an
attorney for Granite Construction. "From the tribe's own maps,
this is not a place of creation," he said. Posted.
http://blogs.pe.com/news/digest/2011/08/quarry-debate-over-sacred-site.html

Industry Pleads That EPA Has "Discretion" to Violate Clean Air
Act. Industry lobbyists have stooped to a new low in their
furious campaign opposing stronger protections against smog
pollution. They now have resorted to arguing that the
Environmental Protection Agency has “discretion” to maintain Bush
administration smog standards that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
has acknowledged forthrightly are “not legally defensible.”
Posted.
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jwalke/industry_lobbies_president_to.html

Report: General Motors electrified vehicle lineup set to expand
with a123 deal.  General Motors' recently inked deal with A123
Systems has led to speculative reports popping up across the
media. For example, The Detroit Bureau reports that "well-placed
sources" confirm the automaker's intentions to "put at least one
battery-electric vehicle into production by 2014." GM's tie up
with A123 Systems opens the door; it seems, for a range of future
electrified vehicles. Posted.
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/15/general-motors-electrified-vehicle-lineup-set-to-expand-with-a12/

Brazil to Study Sugarcane for Jetfuel Production. Brazil, Embraer
and the Inter-American Development Bank have announced that they
will jointly fund a sustainability analysis for producing
renewable jet fuel using Brazilian sugarcane as a feedstock.
Brazil is already the world's leading producer of ethanol derived
from sugarcane. In an extraordinary partnering, the World
Wildlife Fund will serve as an independent reviewer and advisor
for the study, Boeing announced on its website. Posted. 
http://www.celsias.com/article/brazil-study-sugarcane-jetfuel-production/

USDA, DOE and US Navy to invest up to $510M over next 3 years to
build out drop-in biofuel production capacity for military and
commercial transportation.  US President Barack Obama announced
that the US Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will
jointly invest up to $510 million ($170 million each) during the
next three years in partnership with the private sector to
produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power
military and commercial transportation. Posted. 
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/08/navy-20110816.html