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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for April 28, 2015.
Posted: 28 Apr 2015 12:50:46
ARB Newsclips for April 28, 2015. 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 China Quickens $11 Billion Fuel Quality Upgrade Amid Smog Fight. China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, has pushed up its timetable for an $11 billion project to improve the quality of fuel used by cars and trucks. China will cap sulfur content in gasoline and diesel at 10 parts per million starting in 2017, one year before an earlier deadline, the State Council said after a meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/china-quickens-11-billion-fuel-quality-upgrade-amid-smog-fight LAUSD Study Revisits Metrolink Air Quality Results in Northeast L.A. On a chilly night, residents living by the Central Maintenance Facility (CMF) in Northeast Los Angeles streamed into the Cypress Park Recreation Center, curious to hear how the historically noisy and intrusive Metrolink facility is really affecting their health and their children's. http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/lariver/confluence/river-notes/lausd-study-revisits-metrolink-air-quality-results-in-nela.html Court rejects truckers' bid for rehearing on Calif. Program. A federal appeals court denied a request yesterday by a trucking association to reconsider a ruling that upholds a California air quality program. The California Dump Truck Owners Association had asked the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear its March decision that upheld the state's effort to crackdown on ozone and particulate matter pollution… http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017570 Carbon emissions from air conditioning set to rise dramatically. Increased use of air conditioning worldwide could have major climate implications, according to a new study from the University of California, Berkeley. "People are just at the cusp of being able to afford air conditioning," said Lucas Davis, an associate professor at UC Berkeley and lead author of the study, which was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Scienes. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017549 CLIMATE CHANGE UN, Vatican team up for climate change agenda. The United Nations and Vatican joined forces Tuesday to warn about the dire effects of climate change, gathering religious leaders, Nobel laureates and heads of state to present a united front ahead of make-or-break environment talks later this year in Paris. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Pope Francis for framing the need to combat global warming as an urgent moral imperative… http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_CLIMATE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT OTHER RELATED STORIES http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/04/28/world/americas/28reuters-environment-warming-vatican.html Pope Summons Scientists to Shape Climate Change Debate. Pope Francis summoned scientists, government officials and religious leaders to a villa in the manicured Vatican Gardens on Tuesday as he stepped into the heated climate-change debate. “Climate change is a defining issue of our time,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told attendees at the Vatican conference. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-27/pope-summons-scientists-on-climate-change-seeks-to-shape-debate Pope Francis Steps Up Campaign on Climate Change, to Conservatives’ Alarm. Since his first homily in 2013, Pope Francis has preached about the need to protect the earth and all of creation as part of a broad message on the environment. It has caused little controversy so far. But now, as Francis prepares to deliver what is likely to be a highly influential encyclical this summer on environmental degradation and the effects of human-caused climate change on the poor… http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/world/europe/pope-francis-steps-up-campaign-on-climate-change-to-conservatives-alarm.html?action=click&contentCollection=Asia%20Pacific®ion=Footer&configSection=article&isLoggedIn=false&moduleDetail=undefined&pgtype=Multimedia&_r=0 Biggest Coal Exporter Says Climate Change Won’t Strand Assets. Glencore Plc, the top exporter of coal used in power stations, expects efforts to curb climate change by keeping its fossil-fuel reserves in the ground to fail in the face of world energy demand. Shareholders won’t be “prevented from realizing the full value of Glencore’s fossil fuel assets… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/biggest-coal-exporter-says-climate-change-won-t-strand-assets Canadian premiers speak out against government stance on climate change. In a joint statement, premiers from Ontario and Quebec said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's latest comments on climate change do not reflect the stance of most premiers. Last week, the prime minister stated he would not implement carbon taxes ahead of the international climate change conference later this year. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017528 Research cautions states against shortsighted plans for EPA carbon rule. States implementing U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan run the risk of writing plans that limit short-term costs and impacts on the coal industry but make carbon reductions more difficult down the line, according to a new study. The draft rule sets different carbon dioxide emission rates for each state's power sector and tasks state officials with deciding how to reach those levels. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017546 House Dems back NEPA guidance, urge use of social cost of carbon. Dozens of House Democrats yesterday said they strongly support the Obama administration's draft guidance for how federal agencies should account for climate change in their environmental reviews, but they they also recommended CEQ direct agencies to account for the social cost of carbon emissions in their decisions. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017575 Rubio's billionaire donor on climate change: 'I don't know'. Miami businessman Norman Braman believes that Sen. Marco Rubio's skepticism about climate change won't damage his appeal among young and moderate voters, adding that there's a lot of "conjecture" around the idea of man-made warming. Braman stands to be one of the nation's largest donors leading up to the 2016 presidential election… http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017537 DROUGHT Experiment in Irvine takes crops' water use to new lows. On a recent afternoon, Santa Ana winds swept through a sunny, 200-acre swath of Irvine where a quiet experiment could have a major impact in the blueberry world. Darren Haver, director of the South Coast Research and Extension Center, pointed to a patchwork of the berries. For three years, five pipes have been applying varying amounts of water to sections of the crop. http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83402094/ California drought water-reduction mandates set for revision. State water regulators are set to release on Tuesday an updated plan for conservation during the drought after their previous water-use reduction targets have come under fire from some local water departments. The mandates for water savings by the State Water Resources Control Board are in response to Gov. Jerry Brown's order to slash statewide water use in cities… http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/California-drought-water-reduction-mandates-set-6228018.php http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/general-news/20150428/california-water-regulators-to-release-new-water-reduction-plan-tuesday 'The real problem is our shortsightedness' – Schwarzenegger. California must push for broad-based reforms on water and not treat the state's drought as a short-term crisis, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said yesterday. Speaking at a forum put on by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, the Republican said, "California is known as the place where things are happening." In the state's private sector -- with entertainment, high technology and green tech -- he said, "It's huge. There's nothing little. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060017565/search?keyword=california Water rights place neighbors at odds. A squabble among neighbors unfolding just outside Visalia illustrates just how ambiguous water law in California is. Specifically, what can you do when a neighbor punches a deeper well and you start losing water pressure? The answer — for now — is not much. Harold and Angie Carter live off Road 160 on the way to Ivanhoe. They have upward of 30 walnut trees that help pay the taxes on their property; otherwise… http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/local/2015/04/27/drought-causing-neighborhood-water-squabbles/26493863/ Top-four myths of the California drought. Sacramento, California - One of the unfortunate byproducts of the current drought are the myths circulating regarding water use and the means for addressing the water crisis in the state. Some are perpetuations of myths developed during past water crises. Others build upon misinformation that has a more recent origin. Below are four myths that you may see in media accounts of the drought. http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php/news/california-news/3014-top-four-myths-of-the-california-drought.html Pacific Northwest’s ‘Wet Drought’ Possible Sign of Future. The desiccated soils and barren slopes of California have grabbed news headlines for months on end as the state is in its fourth year of a crippling drought that has forced unprecedented statewide water restrictions and billions of dollars in agricultural losses. But while most eyes have been trained on the plight of the Golden State, its neighbors to the north are also facing a dearth of water… http://www.climatecentral.org/news/northwest-wet-drought-climate-future-18910 FUELS Groups want review of Shell's Arctic regulatory filings. Two groups petitioned the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday for an investigation of Royal Dutch Shell PLC and what the groups call misstatements in regulatory filings regarding the risk of a catastrophic oil spill from Arctic offshore drilling. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ARCTIC_OFFSHORE_DRILLING_SEC_CHALLENGE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Obama Expects Climate Change To Be on Agenda When Pope Visits. When Pope Francis visits Washington later this year, the man who will host him at the White House expects a meeting of the minds on at least one topic: climate change. President Barack Obama, in a Wall Street Journal interview on Monday, called the pope “an extraordinary individual, a transformative leader, not just within the Catholic Church, but globally.” http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-expects-climate-change-to-be-on-agenda-when-pope-visits-1430182614?KEYWORDS=climate+change Bills addressing earthquakes, methane pass Calif. Assembly committee. California lawmakers approved bills yesterday dealing with hydraulic fracturing's effect on seismic activity and methane emissions. The Assembly Natural Resources Committee passed A.B. 1490 and A.B. 1501, both by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D), who represents part of Los Angeles. http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017551 API wants in on offshore fracking lawsuit. The oil and gas industry's biggest trade group is again jumping into a lawsuit that challenges oil and gas drilling off the coast of California. The American Petroleum Institute on Saturday asked a federal court to allow it to join Department of the Interior regulators in defending against a Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit… http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017521 VEHICLES Toyota Tests Unique Stock to Draw Long-Term Investors. To develop the cars of tomorrow, Toyota Motor Corp. is trying to create a new security aimed at investors willing to stick around for the ride. Toyota said Tuesday it will sell as much as 500 billion yen ($4.2 billion) of new “Model AA” shares, named after its first passenger car. The unlisted stock will be sold for at least a 20 percent premium over common equity and restricted from trading for five years. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/toyota-plans-4-2-billion-share-sale-to-develop-fuel-cell-cars BMW, GM sites in top 5 US generators of onsite green power. According to the latest Top 30 list for organizations generating and consuming the most green power on-site within the EPA Green Power Partnership, BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg, SC and General Motors’ Fort Wayne Assembly Plant rank fourth and fifth, respectively, with both using biogas. BMW. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/04/20150428-bmwgm.html China To Force Toyota To Build Electric Cars It Loathes. Toyota has been more than abundantly clear in its belief that the best approach to reducing fuel consumption and offering zero-emission vehicles lies in a combination of its present-day hybrids and future hydrogen fuel-cell cars. It no longer sells the RAV4 EV electric SUV whose powertrain was developed by then-partner Tesla Motors. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1098048_china-to-force-toyota-to-build-electric-cars-it-loathes Electric Car 'Do Not Unplug' Notices: Public Education At Its Best. The arrival of modern electric cars and public charging infrastructure has brought a whole range of etiquette issues to the fore. Electric cars' long charging times, and the limited availability of parking spaces with access to charging stations, can sometimes create a bit of tension. It's not unheard of for drivers to unplug other cars when they can't find a charging station of their own… http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1098003_electric-car-do-not-unplug-notices-public-education-at-its-best GREEN ENERGY Japan Sees Clean Energy Edging Out Nuclear Power in 2030. Japan anticipates that by 2030 clean energy such as solar and hydro will generate slightly more of the nation’s electricity than nuclear power plants. Clean energy sources will supply as much as 24 percent of Japan’s electricity in 15 years, while atomic power will account for as much as 22 percent, according to a draft report from the Ministry of Economy… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/japan-expects-renewable-energy-to-edge-out-nuclear-power-by-2030 Strong Future Forecast for Renewable Energy. Wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy could be the fastest growing power sources over the next few decades. In its forward-looking report for the year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts renewable energy will be the fastest-growing power source through 2040. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strong-future-forecast-for-renewable-energy/ Big energy-storing batteries make rapid inroads in Europe to support power grid. Grid-scale battery storage solutions have arrived in Europe, despite a lingering controversy. No longer a distant dream, projects in Germany are already feeding energy into the grid, while in the United Kingdom and Italy, commercial projects are close to coming online. Yet their breakthrough potential -- for the quick balancing of intermittent renewables…http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017529 Audi sets sights on 'blue crude'. German car manufacturer Audi has teamed up with alternative fuels company Sunfire to produce a synthetic diesel fuel from air, water and green electrical energy. Dubbed "blue crude," the fuel does not contain any sulfur or fossil oil but has an overall energy efficiency of 70 percent. The fuel is created by harnessing renewable energy to split water into oxygen and pure hydrogen. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017552 New funding promotes 'fuels from sunlight,' geothermal. The Energy Department today announced $75 million to advance efforts to turn sunlight into transportation fuel and another $2 million for enhanced geothermal systems. DOE will provide additional funding to the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis over five years -- subject to congressional appropriations… http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017568 Researchers seek 'commodity-style grading system for biomass'. The national laboratories are discovering that not all biofuel inputs are created equal. Some non-food crops that are being explored for biofuels production have higher yields on the farm field, while others yield more fuel at the end of the biofuels production process. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017567 'Solar gardens' could meet half of U.S. PV power by decade's end – NREL. A new analysis from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory finds that shared photovoltaic (PV) solar systems -- also called community solar projects or "solar gardens" -- could account for one-third to one-half of all solar PV power in the United States by 2020. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/04/28/stories/1060017530 MISCELLANEOUS Keys to the Highway of the Future: Smart Cars, Smarter Networks. David T. Hartgen says innovative road design will help improve transportation and the environment. For 3,000 years, people lived close to the land or in cities, their worlds limited to walking distance. Just 100 years ago, Henry Ford’s Model T changed all that, and America’s highways have strained to keep up ever since. http://www.wsj.com/articles/keys-to-the-highway-of-the-future-smart-cars-smarter-networks-1430104847?KEYWORDS=emissions OPINIONS The Pope, the Poor and God’s Intent. In many poor countries much of those future generations may not be around because the earlier ones died off because of a lack of energy. Regarding William McGurn’s “The Pope, the Poor and Climate Change” (Main Street, April 21): In a country like India, around 350 million people (more than the population of the U.S.) go to bed early because there is no electric light... http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-pope-the-poor-and-gods-intent-letters-to-the-editor-1430168723?KEYWORDS=climate+change Thawing Ice and Chilly Diplomacy in the Arctic. So long as the Arctic was mostly frozen solid, the biennial meetings of the eight-nation Arctic Council attracted relatively little attention with their discussions on ways to cooperate on environmental protection, search-and-rescue operations and the like. But with melting ice opening up northern shipping lanes and access to vast troves of oil, gas and minerals… http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/opinion/thawing-ice-and-chilly-diplomacy-in-the-arctic.html LETTERS: Alternative to solar energy. Re: “Renewable energy on the rise” [Front page, April 17]: There are serious concerns about taxpayers subsidizing large solar power plants. President Obama is investing billions of tax dollars on solar farms without the benefit of a national energy plan or certainty that the money is well-spent. The Ivanpah solar plant produced 419,085 megawatt hours of electricity last year – less than half its expected output. http://www.pe.com/articles/solar-765881-fuel-cells.html California Focus: Both logic and illogic in Brown’s drought plans. There is both sense and nonsense in the $1 billion drought relief package announced by Gov. Jerry Brown in a parched Sierra Nevada Mountains meadow that usually is covered in deep snow on the date Brown walked through it. But the rationale behind the single largest part of the package is fundamentally contradictory. http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/opinion/20150428/california-focus-both-logic-and-illogic-in-browns-drought-plans BLOGS Why Future Oil Demand Could Be Very Low. IVAN MARTEN: The conventional wisdom among a number of leading energy companies, OPEC and the International Energy Agency is that global oil demand will continue to rise strongly over the next two decades. Indeed, one particularly bullish projection is for demand to reach 115 million barrels a day in 2035, 25% above 2014′s 92 million barrels a day. http://blogs.wsj.com/experts/2015/04/28/why-future-oil-demand-could-be-very-low/?KEYWORDS=climate+change Climate Change Activists Ramp Up Legal Strategy Versus Funds. A pair of not-for-profit agencies with some well-funded backers is ramping up a legal strategy to goad big investment funds to offload their holdings of fossil fuel-dependent companies – a move that, if successful, could profoundly disrupt world asset markets. The London-based Asset Owners Disclosure Project… http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2015/04/27/climate-change-activists-ramp-up-legal-strategy-versus-funds/?KEYWORDS=climate+change Air Pollution Tied to Brain Aging. Air pollution is known to increase the risk for stroke and other cerebrovascular disorders. But now researchers have found it is also linked to premature aging of the brain. The study, in the May issue of Stroke, used data on 943 men and women over 60 who were participants in a larger health study. Researchers did M.R.I. examinations and gathered data on how close the people lived to major highways. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/air-pollution-tied-to-brain-aging/?_r=0 With Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Climate Change Done, Now a Vatican Sales Push – and Pushback. The much-anticipated environmental encyclical that Pope Francis plans to issue this summer is already being translated into the world’s major languages from the Latin final draft, so there’s no more tweaking to be done, several people close to the process have told me in recent weeks. http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/spin-substance-and-pope-franciss-environmental-encyclical/ What Do Tigers Have in Common With Poverty and Climate Change? In November last year I travelled with a photographer to the Sundarbans, on the north east Indian coastline, to investigate the impact of climate change in an area at particular risk from global warming. The story could have begun with rising sea levels, which are twice the global average. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/emma-wigley/climate-change-poverty_b_7150770.html How the Fukushima Disaster Crippled Japan's Climate Plans. Japan's climate strategy is broken. Can President Obama help fix it? Japan used to have a pretty good reputation on climate change. Thanks to its robust industrial economy, it has the fourth-largest carbon footprint in the G20 nations. But it gets a sizable chunk of its power from zero-carbon sources like hydro dams… http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/04/fukushima-climate-shinzo-abe-obama California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.