What's New List Serve Post Display

ARB Newsclips for August 29, 2013. 

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.

CAP AND TRADE

Sacramento judge tentatively says state can auction air quality
credits in California. California’s cap-and-trade carbon auctions
are within the authority of the state Air Resources Board under a
7-year-old law aimed at addressing global warming, a Sacramento
judge has tentatively ruled. Sacramento Superior Court Judge
Timothy M. Frawley ruled Assembly Bill 32 gave the Air Resources
Board discretion to decide whether to adopt a cap-and-trade
program and design the method for distributing pollution
allowances. Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/29/5690290/sacramento-judge-tentatively-says.html#mi_rss=Business#storylink=cpy

http://www.modbee.com/2013/08/29/2890418/sacramento-judge-tentatively-says.html#storylink=cpy


AIR POLLUTION

China Environmental Watchdog Suspends Approvals for New Refining
Projects. China's environmental watchdog took the unusual step
Thursday of halting new projects at the country's two largest
refining companies after they missed pollution targets, a sign
Beijing is stepping up environmental scrutiny of state-owned
enterprises amid growing public discontent over pollution. The
temporary ban on new construction at China National Petroleum
Corp. and China Petrochemical Corp., known as Sinopec
Group...Posted.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323324904579041990240338768.html?KEYWORDS=air+pollution


Fracking health project puts numbers to debate, suggests air
pollution may be bigger concern.  A project examining the local
health impacts from natural gas drilling is providing some of the
first preliminary numbers about people who may be affected, and
the results challenge the industry position that no one suffers
but also suggest the problems may not be as widespread as some
critics claim.  Posted. 
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-08-25/business/41446844_1_gas-drilling-water-pollution-processing
 

Air pollution to be monitored near Houston freeway.  State
environmental officials will start measuring air pollution levels
near a Houston freeway as part of a federal requirement to
monitor health risks near major roadways. The Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality in January will begin measuring levels
along U.S. Route 59. The Houston Chronicle
(http://bit.ly/14GYqqn) reports the monitors will provide the
state with its first data on pollution near congested freeways.
Posted. 
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/29/5691665/air-pollution-to-be-monitored.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Air-pollution-to-be-monitored-near-Houston-freeway-4771455.php


Doctors ask Texas to cut coal plant air pollution. A Dallas-based
medical group has asked the Texas environmental agency to cut air
pollution from coal-fired power plants by strengthening rules and
requiring equipment upgrades in older facilities. The Dallas
County Medical Society filed a petition Wednesday with the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality asking for a rule change. The
agency will have 60 days to respond. The society says research
shows that three old coal-fired power plants contribute to air
pollution in North and East Texas. Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/28/5688363/doctors-ask-texas-to-cut-coal.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Doctors-ask-Texas-to-cut-coal-plant-air-pollution-4768113.php

http://www.modbee.com/2013/08/28/2889169/doctors-ask-texas-to-cut-coal.html#storylink=cpy


MIT study says combustion emissions cause ~200,000 premature
deaths/year in US; vehicles and power generation top sources. 
Researchers from MIT’s Laboratory for Aviation and the
Environment have concluded that ground-level PM2.5 emissions from
combustion sources such as industrial smokestacks, vehicle
tailpipes, marine and rail operations, and commercial and
residential heating throughout the United States cause about
200,000 (90% CI: 90,000–362,000) premature deaths each year, with
another 10,000 (90% CI: −1,000 to 21,000) deaths due to
changes in ozone concentrations.  Posted. 
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/08/20130829-mit.html  

Tehama County protests air quality rule.  Tehama County officials
are worried a California Air Resources rule set to take effect
Jan. 1, 2014 could be devastating for small business owners who
operate heavy duty diesel-fueled equipment in Tehama County. 
Provisions for the Truck and Bus Rule are set to start next year
requiring particulate matter filters or even new engines for
nearly all diesel-fueled trucks and buses with gross vehicle
weight ratings of more than 14,000 pounds.  Posted. 
http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/business/ci_23972130/tehama-county-protests-air-quality-rule


Calif. firms agree to pay $3.5M over imported vehicles.  Two
California-based consulting firms will pay more than $3.5 million
in a settlement with U.S. EPA, the Department of Justice and the
California Air Resources Board after the government accused the
firms of not properly certifying emissions compliance on
recreational all-terrain vehicles imported from China.The Obama
administration and the state of California charge that
MotorScience Inc. and MotorScience Enterprise Inc. imported
nearly 25,000 all-terrain vehicles…Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1059986560/print BY
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

Vehicles are the leading cause of early deaths from emissions in
the U.S. – study. A new study found that emissions from cars,
trucks and other vehicles are the No. 1 cause of early deaths due
to air pollution in the United States. In an upcoming paper in
the journal Atmospheric Environment, researchers from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology determined that increases
in fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, due to road transportation
cause 53,000 early deaths per year from ailments like
cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1059986561/print BY
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

DIESEL EMISSIONS

Three shippers were fined for violating a clean fuel regulation. 
Three international shipping firms were fined by the California
Air Resources Board after failing to shift from dirty “bunker”
fuel to cleaner burning fuel when they entered into state waters.
 Oslo-based Hoegh Autoliners Shipping AS Co., NCN Corp. Panama
and Singapore-based Twin Phoenix Shipping S.A. received a total
of $440,250 in fines after the board investigated their visits to
the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Stockton.  Posted. 
http://www.presstelegram.com/general-news/20130828/three-shippers-were-fined-for-violating-a-clean-fuel-regulation
 

FUELS 

Coalition asks Gov. Jerry Brown to halt fracking in California.
More than 100 environmental and political activist groups
denounce oil fracking legislation as too weak and call on Gov.
Brown to order a halt to the practice. A coalition of more than
100 environmental and political activist groups is denouncing oil
fracking legislation as too weak and calling on Gov. Jerry Brown
to order an immediate halt to the controversial drilling
practice. Posted.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-brown-fracking-20130829,0,3888475.story

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/28/5689777/coalition-asks-gov-jerry-brown.html#storylink=cpy


Ethanol producers urge EPA to reject oil industry request to
lower mandate. Ethanol producers are urging U.S. EPA to reject
calls by oil industry trade groups to lower next year's biofuels
mandate. Earlier this month, the American Petroleum Institute and
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers formally requested
that EPA lower its renewable fuels targets next year to below 10
percent of the nation's total gasoline supply. In a letter
yesterday to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy…Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1059986548/print BY
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

VEHICLES

A hybrid Corvette Stingray? 'Don't laugh,' GM president says.
With the ink barely dry on our review of the 2014 Chevrolet
Corvette Stingray Coupe, GM President Mark Reuss swung by the
L.A. Times office in a gleaming new Cyber Gray Metallic Stingray
Convertible. On his mind were consumers’ changing buying habits,
the strength of the auto market in the coming years and GM’s
plans for diesel and hybrid powertrains in its vehicles. How
about a hybrid Corvette? Posted.
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-autos-hybrid-corvette-stingray-reuss-20130828,0,3899803.story


Toyota says new Prius, fuel cell car due in 2015. Toyota has two
important vehicles coming in 2015: the next-generation Prius
hybrid and the company's first hydrogen fuel cell car. Satoshi
Ogiso, a top Toyota engineer who helped develop the original
Prius 20 years ago, said Wednesday that the new Prius will get
significantly better fuel economy than its current 50 miles per
gallon. It will have an advanced battery, motor and gas engine
combination that is smaller, lighter and cheaper than the current
version. Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/28/5689167/toyota-says-new-prius-fuel-cell.html#storylink=cpy
http://www.modbee.com/2013/08/28/2889587/toyota-says-new-prius-fuel-cell.html#storylink=cpy
 
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/08/20130828-ogiso.html  

Advancing electric mobility through electric car-sharing – Part
II.  Electric vehicle (EV) car-sharing schemes are gaining
popularity in cities around the world. Several initiatives across
Europe are providing the consumer with the opportunity to get the
EV experience without the risks usually associated with buying
one. In the second part of the article devoted to e-mobility,
cars21.com looks at EV-rental schemes in Italy and Scandinavia,
as well as EV-sharing initiatives provided by automakers. 
Posted.  http://www.cars21.com/news/view/5577  

EV fast charger installation to soar, study says.  Rapid
development of fast-charging technologies for electric vehicles
will lead to the installation of 199,000 fast-charging stations
worldwide by the end of the decade -- more than 100 times the
number of the stations in 2012, a study by IHS Automotive says. 
The number of the stations worldwide is expected to rise to 5,900
this year and to 15,200 in 2014, the study released Tuesday said.
 Posted. 
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130828/OEM05/130829910/ev-fast-charger-installation-to-soar-study-says#axzz2dLPUrSQd

GREEN ENERGY

UC Merced Connect: Building gets green certification. The U.S.
Green Building Council has awarded platinum LEED certification to
UC Merced's Social Sciences and Management Building. Every
building project on campus has already or is expected to attain
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
certification, meaning it meets or exceeds standards for
sustainability. Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/28/5686818/uc-merced-connect-building-gets.html#storylink=cpy


MISCELLANEOUS

Americans driving less as car culture wanes. Driving in America
has stalled, leading researchers to ask: Is the national love
affair with the automobile over? After rising for decades, total
vehicle use in the U.S. - the collective miles people drive -
peaked in August 2007. It then dropped sharply during the Great
Recession and has largely plateaued since, even though the
economy is recovering and the population growing. Posted.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DRIVING_IN_AMERICA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Ohio college students ditch cars, get free bikes. The University
of Dayton is giving 100 students free bicycles in exchange for
their promise not to bring cars to the southwest Ohio campus for
two years. The Dayton Daily News (http://bit.ly/15izkk4) reports
the giveaway is part of the university's efforts to shrink its
carbon footprint and form a bike friendly campus. It also builds
on a bike-sharing program created at the school two years ago.
Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/29/5691004/ohio-college-students-ditch-cars.html#storylink=cpy


OPINIONS

Letters: A pollution reality check. Re "Gauging roads'
pollution," Aug. 26 It's good news that regulators will soon
begin monitoring air quality near major roads. While this effort
may be long overdue, it's critical that we get this air pollution
data so policy can be directed toward accelerating the transition
to electricity produced by renewable sources to power our cars.
There are thousands of Americans, many here in Southern
California…Posted. 
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/letters/la-le-0829-thursday-pollution-20130829,0,5851185.story


To heal the Earth, put plastic in its place. People still discard
far more plastic than they recycle. Tens of thousands of
volunteers in California gather regularly at local beach and
coastal cleanups in an effort to reduce trash flows that
contribute to the rising amount of marine debris. These efforts
make a difference and help heighten civic awareness about keeping
our beaches clean and healthy. But they cannot stem the tide of
plastic pollution. Posted.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-garrison-plastic-pollution-california-20130829,0,1876188.story


California needs controls on fracking. California may be floating
atop the nation's biggest pool of oil, over 15 billion barrels
that are best tapped by a technique that comes with serious
risks. This state can't ignore this energy mother lode, but it
needs strong rules to curb potential harm and ease public
worries. The risks and rewards of this potential oil boom are why
the Legislature should pass SB4…Posted. 
http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/editorials/article/California-needs-controls-on-fracking-4769637.php
 

High-speed rail will starve local transit funding. Re "Denham's
ploy backfires on high-speed rail" (Dan Morain, Aug. 21):
Regardless of how the California Environmental Quality Act
affects the progress of high-speed rail in California, or the
politics involved, the real result of the project is likely to be
crowding out funding for local transit, desperately needed to cut
carbon footprints and boost productivity along with delays in
upgrades needed now…Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/29/5688493/ceqahsr-kerfluffle-blinds-us-to.html#storylink=cpy


New warning on global warming.  Next month, the international
arbiter of the scientific consensus on global warming will
release its latest evaluation of the state of the research. A few
will dismiss the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s
findings as overwrought alarmism. But a draft leaked to reporters
last week indicates that, for most people, the report will serve
as another stern warning about the risks of continuing to pump
carbon dioxide into the air. Posted.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130829/wire/130829529?title=New-warning-on-global-warming


Letter: Climate change/global warming. Whatever you want to call
it, it's happening, and folks are still talking about it. Climate
change has been happening for hundreds of thousands of years.
Think about it. A million years ago, where the great plains are
today, was a tropical swamp. This has been proven. Then the Earth
started to cool. After a few hundred thousand years, the ice age
started. It lasted for thousands and thousands of years before
the Earth finally started to warm up again. As the ice melted,
the ocean levels rose and land was covered by water. Posted.
http://www.newbernsj.com/opinion/letters/letter-climate-change-global-warming-1.194653


BLOGS

Glenn Beck will fire you over lightbulbs. Glenn Beck is not down
with climate change. He calls global warming “a load of
socialist, communist crap.” And in the video he orders up a
studio memo that says as much and threatens to fire employees who
do something in the name of global warming. Like what? Buying
recyclable spoons is out, though it’s not clear you are sacked
over a spoon or spork. Posted.
http://blog.sfgate.com/hottopics/2013/08/28/glenn-beck-will-fire-you-over-lightbulbs/


RENEWABLE ENERGY: Meeting set for planning desert development,
conservation.  State and federal officials will hold a
long-awaited local meeting on the siting of renewable energy
projects on Sept. 6-7, and desert residents are ready to voice
their concerns. At issue is the Desert Renewable Energy
Conservation Plan, known as DRECP, a blueprint for protecting
natural resources while allowing for development of solar, wind,
geothermal and transmission projects within 22 1/2 million acres
of California Desert. Posted.
http://blog.pe.com/2013/08/27/renewable-energy-meeting-set-for-planning-desert-development-conservation/
 

Chevy helps install EV chargers in California state parks. In
addition to hanging ten, there's one more really cool thing you
can do for free in the coastside California city of Malibu.
General Motors' Chevrolet division, looking to gain some positive
exposure among the surfer set, installed two free
electric-vehicle charging stations at a couple of local state
parks last week, Malibu Creek and Leo Carrillo State Beach.
Posted.
http://green.autoblog.com/2013/08/28/chevy-helps-install-ev-chargers-in-california-state-parks/


Energy Department Releases New Clean Energy Finance Guide.
Increasing the efficiency of our buildings and accelerating the
deployment of renewable energy technologies will strengthen local
economies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is why
President Obama’s Climate Action Plan calls for federal agencies
to work closely with states and municipalities to reduce barriers
to investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy. As part
of the Energy Department’s continued efforts to support state,
local and tribal leaders…Posted.
http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-releases-new-clean-energy-finance-guide