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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for September 30, 2015.
Posted: 30 Sep 2015 13:42:22
ARB Newsclips for September 30, 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 Luxury Markets Are No Breath of Fresh Air. It may be fair in San Diego, but air quality? Au contraire. Relative to other parts of the country, California’s luxury real-estate markets have the worst air quality, according to an analysis of data from the Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.wsj.com/articles/luxury-markets-are-no-breath-of-fresh-air-1443630700 Pilot Program Will Gauge Air Quality in New York Nail Salons. It is a question that has lurked in the minds of many manicurists: Are the chemicals they handle on a daily basis endangering their health? A pilot program, introduced Tuesday by the New York City public advocate’s office and backed by the Clinton Global Initiative, is designed to ensure that they do not. Dozens of desk lamps fitted with air quality sensors… http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/nyregion/pilot-program-will-gauge-air-quality-in-new-york-nail-salons.html?_r=0 http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/09/30/air-quality-to-be-tested-at-nyc-nail-salons/ http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-nail-salons-air-quality-monitors-article-1.2379364 New Regulations on Smog Remain as Divisive as Ever. In August 2011, as President Obama prepared to unveil a major new environmental regulation on smog, his political advisers issued a warning: The rule would affect power plants and factories throughout the Midwest, slowing the economy in states like Ohio that would be crucial to the president’s re-election. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/us/politics/new-regulations-on-smog-remain-as-divisive-as-ever.html?src=twr&_r=1 EPA adopts rules to limit oil refineries' emissions into neighborhoods. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted new rules Tuesday intended to clean the air around oil refineries across the nation, including communities near six major refineries in Southern California. The rules for the first time require refineries to monitor and report levels of benzene, a cancer-causing compound, at the boundaries of their properties… http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-refinery-emissions-epa-rules-20150929-story.html http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rules-342035-ocprint-bill-defense.html http://www.ibtimes.com/obama-ozone-rule-epa-make-it-harder-factories-power-plants-emit-smog-pollution-2121052?rel=latest1 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/29/3706306/ozone-rule-coming-soon / http://www.pressherald.com/2015/09/30/epa-issues-rules-to-reduce-oil-refinery-air-pollution/ HEALTH: Cancer risk from air toxins on the decline. Analysis by California air pollution experts finds dramatic drop in cancer risk from emissions since 1990. Californians can breathe easier these days thanks to significant progress in the battle against air pollution, officials said. The latest good news came in a study published this month by state air pollution regulators… http://www.pe.com/articles/air-781905-diesel-cancer.html South Bay environmentalists praise new federal oil refinery mandates. South Bay environmentalists and public health advocates, who for years have fought for stronger government regulation of the hazardous air pollutants released by the region’s six oil refineries into neighboring communities, praised new federal mandates signed into law Tuesday. http://www.dailybreeze.com/environment-and-nature/20150929/south-bay-environmentalists-praise-new-federal-oil-refinery-mandates https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/09/29/new-epa-rules-will-cut-refinery-emissions/ Michigan-based Guardian to spend $70M to cut pollution. Michigan-based Guardian Industries Corp. on Monday agreed to spend more than $70 million to reduce emissions from producing glass for automobile windshields and office and home windows — and will pay a fine of $300,000, federal regulators said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department disclosed the settlement… http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2015/09/29/michigan-based-guardian-spend-cut-pollution/73034958/ Current smog limit inadequate to protect public health, EPA says. The current federal limit on smog-forming pollution linked to asthma and respiratory illness "is not adequate to protect the public health," a top environmental regulator said Tuesday. Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said a new, stricter standard is needed to cut dangerous ozone pollution… http://napavalleyregister.com/ap/washington/current-smog-limit-inadequate-to-protect-public-health-epa-says/article_a5d16925-35a5-5942-8f46-61d04ceb03b8.html Lord Drayson launches pollution sensor powered by radio waves. Businessman and Labour party donor’s FreeVolt project uses ambient wireless and mobile network waves to power CleanSpace tag for app designed for cyclists and pedestrians. Lord Drayson, the millionaire businessman, Labour party donor and former science minister, has released a pollution monitor that he hopes will drive efforts to improve air quality around the world. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/30/lord-drayson-launches-pollution-sensor-powered-by-radio-waves http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34401616 Appeals court rules state air pollution plan for parks is insufficient. The air pollution control plan Pennsylvania submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 is insufficient to protect national parks and wilderness areas from regional haze, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/09/30/Appeals-court-rules-state-air-pollution-plan-for-parks-is-insufficient/stories/201509300203 Wide range of cars emit more pollution in realistic driving tests, data shows. Diesel cars made by Renault, Nissan, Hyundai, Citroen, Fiat and Volvo among others emitted far more NOx in more rigorous tests, research shows. New diesel cars from Renault, Nissan, Hyundai, Citroen, Fiat, Volvo and other manufacturers have all been found to emit substantially higher levels of pollution… http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/30/wide-range-of-cars-emit-more-pollution-in-real-driving-conditions-tests-show CLIMATE CHANGE BHP Tests Climate-Deal Scenario. World’s biggest miner says a global agreement on climate-change action would merely slow demand growth. BHP Billiton Ltd. , the world’s biggest miner, says a global agreement on climate-change action would slow but not stop demand growth for most of the commodities it produces. Revealing projections for the first time as December’s Paris Climate Conference nears… http://www.wsj.com/articles/bhp-tests-climate-deal-scenario-1443524401 One of the World’s Most Powerful Central Bankers Is Worried About Climate Change. A new speech about climate change is fascinating both for what it says and who said it. Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, declared that the warming climate presented major risks for the global economy and global financial stability… http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/upshot/one-of-the-worlds-most-powerful-central-bankers-is-worried-about-climate-change.html http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060025569 Can pledges to cut emissions save the world from climate change? Many nations are pledging to curb greenhouse gas emissions, but these plans may not be enough. Greenhouse gases may be the culprit in the climate change dilemma, but will countries’ pledges to curb emissions solve the problem? The pledges have been picking up, with more nations adding their commitments… http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2015/0929/Can-pledges-to-cut-emissions-save-the-world-from-climate-change IMO Argues Against Hard Emissions Cap on Shipping in Paris Climate Deal. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is urging world leaders to decide against the idea of an overall emissions cap for the shipping industry ahead of global climate deal talks to be held in Paris at the end of the year, the IMO announced this week. http://shipandbunker.com/news/world/821863-imo-argues-against-hard-emissions-cap-on-shipping-in-paris-climate-deal Global Warming to Affect El Niño and La Niña. A research which was recently published in Journal Science Advances has revealed that global warming’s frequency may double and this can have negative effects on El Niño and La Niña phenomena. They are expected to become even stronger and more frequent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) describe El Niño and La Niña as complex weather phenomena… http://www.wallstreetotc.com/global-warming/220888/ Warming Ocean Could Make King Crabs Predators in Antarctic Marine Ecosystems. King crabs may soon become high-level predators in Antarctic marine ecosystems where they haven't played a role in tens of millions of years, according to a new study led by Florida Institute of Technology. "No Barrier to Emergence of Bathyal King Crabs on the Antarctic Shelf," published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ties the reappearance of these crabs to global warming. http://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=22554 France, U.K. increase their payments to climate aid. French President François Hollande announced yesterday that his government will increase climate change finance from €3 billion to €5 billion ($3.3 billion to $5.62 billion) annually by 2020, boosting chances of an accord in Paris in December but putting the United States in an awkward position. http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060025470 Carbon-trading options -- and questions -- swirl in Ga. As Georgia continues to consider using a market-based approach to comply with U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan, it's clear that those who would have to create such a market still have a lot of questions. The state already intends to ask for a two-year extension when it files an initial plan on how it will meet EPA's carbon-reduction goals… http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/09/30/stories/1060025558 DROUGHT Water, 2015, California: The no-good, very bad year -- now, 'pray for rain'. The year of the brown lawn and shortened showers concludes Wednesday, with water officials citing bleak statistics and expressing hope that the next few months will bring the heavy rains California so desperately needs. “Water year” 2015 was hot, dry and fiery, compounding the misery brought on by a fourth year of drought. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-water-year-20150929-story.html Poll: Californians Willing To Sacrifice In Drought. The Hoover Institution’s Golden State Poll focused on how to address the state's fourth year of drought. It found 54 percent of likely voters back current water cuts. An even higher percentage would support sharing groundwater or restricting its use. http://www.capradio.org/58091 Sacramento Area Water Districts Reducing Outdoor Water Days. The 173,000 customers of the Sacramento Surburban Water District, from Carmichael to Antelope, are currently allowed to water two days a week on an odd-even schedule. Now, the district wants customers to cut that to one day a week. Under a California state mandate, SSWD is required to reduce its water use by 32 percent from June through February 2016 compared to the same period in 2013. http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/09/29/sacramento-area-water-districts-reducing-outdoor-water-days/ Even in drought, CA water rights politically toxic. It was the worst drought in California’s history. Reservoirs hit new lows as a historically dry year was followed by the driest year ever recorded. Forty-seven of the state’s 58 counties declared drought emergencies, and officials urged Californians to flush their toilets less and let their lawns go brown. http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2015/09/30/even-drought-ca-water-rights-politically-toxic/73065384/ FUELS Biodiesel can help slash U.S. carbon emissions – report. Biodiesel can contribute significantly to U.S. carbon dioxide reduction goals, according to a new analysis released by the industry's main trade group. The report conducted by Bates White Economic Consulting found that boosting biodiesel production would represent nearly 20 percent of the transportation sector's share of the United States' climate commitment by 2025. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/09/30/stories/1060025595 Fossil fuel firms sponsor $20M prize to turn captured CO2 into sellable products. A consortium of fossil energy producers yesterday opened a new prize challenge for putting captured carbon to work. The $20 million in awards administered by XPRIZE will go to the team that can most profitably turn carbon dioxide into something useful, whether that's polymers, concrete or fuels. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/09/30/stories/1060025564 VEHICLES France to Run Emissions Tests on 100 Cars of All Makes. Cars to be tested in real-world situations. France will test cars belonging to individuals and rental agencies to see if their emissions in real-world situations exceed legal limits, French Environment Minister Ségolène Royal said Wednesday. The new tests—part of an effort to find out whether techniques used by… http://www.wsj.com/articles/france-to-run-emissions-tests-on-100-cars-of-all-makes-1443597905 Tesla pulls back curtain on its latest offering, the Model X. Tesla Motors Inc. frontman Elon Musk unveiled the company's Model X sport utility vehicle in California last night.The midsized crossover and newest option in the electric automaker's lineup has several new selling points -- a HEPA filter, blazing acceleration, agile "falcon wing" doors, a low center of gravity that reduces rollover risk… http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/09/30/stories/1060025565 VW RECALL Volkswagen to refit cars affected by emissions scandal. Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) said on Tuesday it will repair up to 11 million vehicles and overhaul its namesake brand following the scandal over its rigging of emissions tests. New Chief Executive Matthias Mueller said the German carmaker would tell customers in the coming days they would need to have diesel vehicles… http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/30/us-volkswagen-emissions-plan-idUSKCN0RT0OL20150930 UPDATE 1-VW communications chief may resign on Wednesday – sources. Volkswagen's communications chief may resign later on Wednesday, sources told Reuters, following departed Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn as Europe's largest automaker grapples with the fallout of cheating diesel emissions tests. Stephan Gruehsem, head of group communications, external… http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5N1202U820150930 Despite Volkswagen Scandal, Europe’s Diesel Habit Could Be Hard to Kick. A loyal Volkswagen owner for years, Jane Kelley was “shocked,” she says, by recent revelations that the German company had cheated on emissions tests in the United States. Snug in Ms. Kelley’s garage in North London recently was a white 2013 Passat powered by a 2-liter diesel engine. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/business/international/volkswagen-diesel-europe.html ENVIRONMENT: When VW cheated on emissions, it cheated on health. Dozens of Californians may have died from pollution linked to the automaker’s diesel vehicles, analyses suggest. Already, Volkswagen Group is on the hook for what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says could be more than $18 billion in civil penalties for violating the U.S. Clean Air Act with its emissions scam. http://www.pe.com/articles/health-781861-air-california.html The Latest: Nordic nations face up to VW scandal; Norway considering action. The latest developments in the Volkswagen emissions scandal. All times local. Norway says it's considering action against Volkswagen over the emissions-rigging scandal, with auto dealers in the Nordic region estimating that at least 500,000 cars could be affected. http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/09/30/the-latest-czech-republic-has-148-000-vw-cars-to-be-fixed VW braces for hit to business from emissions scandal. Financing arm freezes hiring; engine factory cuts a shift; U.S. law firm Jones Day to lead external probe. Volkswagen has imposed a hiring freeze at its financing business and cut a shift at a German engine factory as it braces for a hit to business from cheating in diesel emissions tests. http://www.autonews.com/article/20150930/OEM02/150939985/vw-braces-for-hit-to-business-from-emissions-scandal GREEN ENERGY Utilities battle for share of rooftops. The large, old-school power companies want to keep your business, even if it's on your roof. Solar power is still relatively small compared to traditional power, but it increased more than 50 percent in 2014 and is gaining momentum. http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/09/30/stories/1060025519 OPINIONS Climate 'Reparations' for Poor Nations? Not So Fast. There is unprecedented momentum for a real international agreement at the Paris climate talks in December: The U.S. is on track to make significant cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions, China has announced a cap-and-trade program and many others have made commitments of their own. The biggest obstacle? Justice -- or at least two ideas about justice. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-09-29/climate-reparations-for-poor-nations-not-so-fast Test Emissions Where Cars Pollute: On the Road. VOLKSWAGEN has shown how easy and tempting it can be for car manufacturers to rig the pollution controls on vehicles to cheat the system. We shouldn’t have been surprised. Manufacturers of heavy-duty diesel engines were caught doing the same thing in the 1990s. How do we guard against this happening again? http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/opinion/test-emissions-where-cars-pollute-on-the-road.html China's change of heart on climate change. Think of the irony, if the push that finally makes the United States a world leader in combating climate change comes from ... China. Of course, President Xi Jinping would first have to follow through on the promises made in his new carbon-cutting accord with President Obama, which commits China to launching a cap-and-trade program for… http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-adv-china-climate-20150930-story.html Your food waste contributes to global warming. Southern Californians, for decades now, have become quite used to separating their curbside trash into recyclables, yard waste and plain old garbage. Actually, there was just a short span in which we weren’t used to it. Sam Yorty in 1961 successfully ran for mayor of Los Angeles on a platform of “eliminating the inconvenience of separating refuse.” http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20150929/your-food-waste-contributes-to-global-warming PD Editorial: Free markets, emissions and China. The irony of China’s climate plan is hard to miss. As journalist Elizabeth Kolbert wrote for the New Yorker: “The leader of China — nominally, at least, a Communist country — came to Washington and announced that his government was adopting a market-based approach to curbing carbon emissions. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/opinion/4548890-181/pd-editorial-free-markets-emissions Millennials leading climate change movement: David Oxtoby. Repairing the world is not a one-person job. To confront the greatest environmental crisis of our time — climate change — we need a movement. A groundswell of action, each person reaching another, is what is required to galvanize political and business leaders to move on behalf of our environment rather than moving against it. http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinion/20150929/millennials-leading-climate-change-movement-david-oxtoby One of the biggest consequences of the Volkswagen diesel scandal. Cheating is not a victimless crime. The recent revelations that Volkswagen rigged in-vehicle software to defeat emissions tests are but the latest example of efforts to evade regulations that protect human health and the environment. In crimes against the environment, it’s sometimes difficult to calculate who is affected… http://fortune.com/2015/09/30/volkswagen-diesel-scandal-consequences/ LA Chefs Editorial – methane and global warming. Domesticated ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) in North American basically replaced the corresponding wild ruminants (bison, elk, deer, pronghorns, and moose). (1). So in regards to methane and a reductionist point of view, if there still were the approximately 110 million wild ruminants (instead of the domesticated ones)… http://www.examiner.com/article/la-chefs-editorial-methane-and-global-warming BLOGS China Set to Achieve 2015 Climate Goals, Study Says. China is on track to hit its short-term target for reducing carbon emissions, newly released research shows, as slower economic growth proves a boon for global efforts to control greenhouse gas. In a newly-published paper, the World Resources Institute said an analysis of unofficial data shows that by the end of 2014… http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/09/30/china-set-to-achieve-2015-climate-goals-study-says/ California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.