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California Air Resources Board News Clips for July 31, 2009

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.


PM 10 Attainment Levels To Be Discussed. (CARB boss to talk
Particulate Matter)…Mary Nichols, head of the California Air
Resources Board, will be in the County Monday. Nichols will be at
the Cal Works building on South 4th Street in El Centro to
discuss PM 10. Imperial County Air Pollution Control Officer Brad
Poiriez was off Friday and could not comment on the Monday
meeting. His office did, however, confirm the meeting was going
to be held and attainment levels of Particulate Matter would be
discussed. Posted. http://kxoradio.com/content/view/5876/2/

Ethos Environmental Appoints Former CARB Chairman to Technical
Advisory Board. San Diego-based Ethos Environmental, Inc. today
announced the appointment of John D. Dunlap, III as the Chairman
of its newly formed Technical Advisory Board. As former Chairman
of the California Air Resources Board, John brings a wealth of
experience as both a regulatory consultant and green technology
expert that will aid Ethos in identifying opportunities for the
development of even greener higher performing and lower-emitting
product offerings. Posted.
http://www.techimoto.com/2009/07/30/ethos-environmental-appoints-former-carb-chairman-to-technical-advisory-board/

FPPC Chief Questions Trips Supported By Polluters. The chairman
of California's Fair Political Practices Commission, Ross
Johnson, said widespread overseas travel by top state climate and
energy officials on the tab of nonprofits funded by industry
"raises very serious questions of propriety." Consumer advocates
called for a halt to the practice. "There is a long-term public
cost when private interests fund government travel," said Doug
Heller, executive director of Consumer Watchdog. "We are fooling
ourselves if we think that Chevron funds these political
escapades for the benefit of society." Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/politics/v-print/story/2070986.html

Californians Less Worried About Pollution. About half of
California, including the Southland area, has air quality that
can cause cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. However, a
new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found
residents who believe air pollution is a big problem has dropped
significantly in recent years.  Posted.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/state&id=6941847 

EPA Finishes First Round Of Testing For Air Pollution At
Cupertino School. A first round of data will be available soon on
the air being tested around Stevens Creek Elementary School,
according to the Environmental Protection Agency.  The early
results regarding levels of chromium VI were scheduled to be
released in early August on the EPA's school air program Web
site.  Posted. http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_12949887 

California Officials Relax Some Formaldehyde Deadlines. Because
of the weak economy, the California Air Resources Board has
extended the deadlines for composite panel distributors and
retailers to sell off product that doesn't meet the state's new
formaldehyde emission limits. But the July 1, 2010, deadline for
retailers of finished goods to sell off any non-compliant
products remains in place. Posted.
http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/326049-California_officials_relax_some_formaldehyde_deadlines.php


The Struggle to Find a Climate-Friendly Auto Refrigerant.
Automobile air conditioner refrigerants may keep you from frying
in summer traffic jams, but they pack a mean global warming
punch. Soon, U.S. EPA could approve a substitute to drastically
soften their blow. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/07/31/31climatewire-the-struggle-to-find-a-climate-friendly-auto-52196.html


'Clunkers' Program Low on Cash, Lawmakers May Seek Stimulus
Funds. Democrats in Congress are hoping to bring a bill to the
House floor Friday to provide $2 billion to continue the federal
government's week-old "cash for clunkers" program, which has
proven so popular with consumers that it is almost out of cash. A
senior congressional aide said the money would come from funds in
the already-passed economic stimulus package that were intended
for energy loan guarantees. Congress would seek to replenish the
energy program at a later date. Posted.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/31/AR2009073101173_pf.html
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cash-for-clunkers1-2009aug01,1,587619.story
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_12965602
http://www.sacbee.com/830/story/2070604.html

A Fuel-Belching Nascar Track Has Big Plans for Solar Power.
Pocono Raceway, which hosts two Nascar Sprint Cup races each
year, plans to construct the world’s largest solar energy project
at a sports facility. Track officials said they would announce
the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, two days
before the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at the track in Long
Pond, Pa. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/sports/31nascar.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=carbon%20emissions&st=cse


Report Shows How Santa Clara Stadium For 49ers Would Affect
Traffic, Air Quality, Noise. On any given Sunday, about 19,000
cars could pour into town for a pro football game at Santa
Clara's proposed stadium. The first 1,000 would arrive early so
fans can put in up to five hours of tailgating. Posted.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_12955345

Senate Democrats Tie Climate Effort to National Security. Senate
Democrats are increasingly relying on the connection between
global warming and national security as they craft legislation to
curb greenhouse gas emissions. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/07/31/31climatewire-senate-democrats-tie-climate-effort-to-natio-39358.html


New UN Center Proposal Unveiled In SF. The site of a former San
Francisco shipyard would be transformed to an international
center focusing on green technology and global warming under a
proposal by the city and the United Nations. Mayor Gavin Newsom
and a UN official unveiled the proposal Thursday, saying what
would be called the UN Global Compact Center would have a
retreat, conference center and facilities intended to spawn clean
tech businesses. Posted.
http://www.modbee.com/state/story/800470.html 
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/30/MN7O1913JU.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

The Valley A Future Energy Epicenter? Readers speak out on the
future of renewable energy and question if the Valley has the
will to embrace the opportunities and meet the challenges to
become an economic “powerhouse.” A collective vision has started
to take shape of the San Joaquin Valley as the potential
epicenter of renewable energy in the U.S. Posted.
http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1270:the-valley-a-future-energy-epicenter&catid=69:energy&Itemid=769


San Rafael Quarry Seeks Support From Neighbors, But Air
Pollution An Issue. As the date for a key hearing before Marin
County supervisors draws near, the owner of the San Rafael Rock
Quarry has launched a public relations offensive in hopes of
rallying community support for their plans for the quarry.
Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_12951802

China Accepts 1st Environment Lawsuit Against Govt. Beijing -- A
court in southwest China has accepted the country's first lawsuit
filed by an environmental group against a local government, a
member of the group said Friday. Posted.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/31/AR2009073100574.html