What's New List Serve Post Display
Below is the List Serve Post you selected to display.
newsclips -- Newsclips for August 31, 2009
Posted: 31 Aug 2009 12:40:24
California Air Resources Board News Clips for August 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. Capitol Crowds Are Smaller But Outrage Still High At Tea Party II. Memories of April's massive Tea Party protests returned Friday as thousands gathered on the west side of the Capitol for what organizers billed as a sequel. While Friday's protest didn't match the first one's crowd numbers – the California Highway Patrol said the crowd ranged from 1,500 to 4,000 – the level of outrage and volume was high. Organizers had called the rally an uprising against runaway environmentalism and, in particular, water policies that California farmers say have killed their crops. Posted. http://www.sacbee.com/politics/story/2146966.html Tea Party Event Concludes (Part Three).The day-long Tea Party rally in Sacramento fired up more than 10,000 Patriots and dispelled myths and argued facts about a variety of hot-button issues, including the plight of Central California farmers, logging industry, health care and cape-and-trade. Longtime motivational speaker and probable California congressional candidate Mason Weaver revved up the crowd with his humor and more importantly, candor. Posted. http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Tea-Party-event-concludes-Part-Three 'Tea Party Patriots' Stage Rally. Sacramento -- There was no doubting who the enemy was at Friday's "Tea Party Patriots" rally at the Capitol. "Government is the problem!" the crowd chanted. "No more government!" The event, the second "tea party" held at the Capitol this year, was billed as a "first-time coalition of thousands to protest government over-regulation." Posted. http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1619542.html http://www.capradio.org/articles/articledetail.aspx?articleid=7031 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/protesters-at-capitol-decry-government-policies.html http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6987775 http://www.cbs47.tv/content/special_features/story/Tea-Party-Rally-Heading-to-Sacramento/KPLunIgRpEO8e2U33Ifwvg.cspx Why Cap And Trade System Is The Best Option To Reduce GHG Emissions. The debate on what is the best way to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions boils down to three policy options - a command and control structure that defines the best alternatives, a tax/subsidy and a market based system such as Cap and Trade. In theory any of the three can result in optimal emission abatement depending on the circumstances. Posted. http://www.examiner.com/x-21949-Phoenix-Environmental-Policy-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Why-Cap-and-Trade-system-is-the-best-option-to-reduce-GHG-emissions Reducing Dependence On Cars Key To Climate Initiative Targets. North Bay – Napa County is searching for ways to become less dependent on cars in order to comply with state climate change protection targets. “We are trying to figure out how to decongest, to provide alternatives to driving,” said Paul Price, the executive director for the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency. Mr. Price came to the planning agency six months ago with 35 years of experience in the transportation industry. Posted. http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/14507/reducing-dependence-on-cars-key-to-climate-initiative-targets/ "Gas Saver" Invention That Actually Saves Gas . . . Who Knew? The real story around auto performance, increasing miles per gallon. "23 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway." Isn`t this what we all look at when choosing our car or truck? Smaller gas-burning engines get better mileage, so they say. Touted "mpg`s" seem to rise every year, especially with the addition of computers and advanced technology. Or do they? In reality, vehicles have shown less than a 5% increase in miles per gallon in the past 60 years, despite sophisticated technology. Posted. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS170850+31-Aug-2009+BW20090831 Delta Levee Projects Must Now Prepare For Rising Sea Level. Levee projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will have to account for rising sea levels under a new federal policy aimed at shoring up the region's main line of defense against climate change. It's the first comprehensive policy by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to require that projects under its jurisdiction be designed with higher sea levels in mind. Posted. http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/v-print/story/2149351.html Green-Energy Plan Is Tall Task For State. Sacramento - Still haunted by rolling blackouts and budget-busting energy contracts, California plans to broaden its already aggressive directive requiring utilities to deliver more power from renewable sources. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers, under intense pressure from generators and renewable power advocates with conflicting positions, have yet to deliver a final compromise package that has been declared a top priority going into the last two weeks of the legislative year. Posted. http://signonsandiego.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Green-energy+plan+is+tall+task+for+state&expire=&urlID=409669762&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww3.signonsandiego.com%2Fstories%2F2009%2Faug%2F31%2Fgreen-energy-plan-tall-task-state%2F%3Fnews&partnerID=86541 EPA To Grant Delay In Central Valley Ozone Cleanup. Local air districts will now have until 2024 to meet requirements of campaign. Fresno -- Ending years of debate, federal officials are about to grant an 11-year delay for the San Joaquin Valley's ozone cleanup campaign. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is scheduled to publish its proposed approval in the Federal Register in the next few days, and it will become official by the end of September. The action pushes the deadline to 2024, an extension the local air district requested more than two years ago after stormy public discussions with activists. Posted. http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1030115.html A High Cost to Deal With Climate Shift. New York — The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has described the notion of “adaptation” as those initiatives designed “to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or expected climate change effects.” The implication, of course, is that regardless of what countries, businesses or individuals do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the planet is going to warm up. Posted. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/business/energy-environment/31iht-green31.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print Can Push for Climate Bill Forge a Lasting Labor-Enviro Alliance? The push for climate legislation has bolstered an alliance of unions and environmentalists, raising the hopes of liberal activists who have long sought a lasting and influential relationship between green groups and labor. Posted. http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/28/28climatewire-can-push-for-climate-bill-forge-a-lasting-la-70854.html Air Quality Worsens Near Socal Wildfire. LOS ANGELES—The regional air quality agency has issued a smoke advisory, warning all residents who live near the massive Southern California wildfire to remain indoors and avoid strenuous activity. Officials say air quality is in the foothill communities around La Canada Flintridge is unhealthy, bordering on hazardous. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13235027 Sanbag Gets $10 Million For Green Truck Project. San Bernardino - The county's transportation planning agency will get nearly $10 million in federal economic stimulus funds for a clean-energy truck project in the region. San Bernardino Associated Governments, known as Sanbag, will receive $9.95 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the alternative-fuels project. The money will be used to purchase 262 liquefied natural gas trucks for one of the largest transportation logistics companies in North America. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13230294 Carpooler 'Confessions' Sought. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced the launch of the "Confessions of a Carpooler" video contest. Carpoolers are asked to video their commutes and share why they choose to carpool to work. The contest runs through Sept. 30. The Air District encourages commuters to share their best carpooling-related stories and tips by uploading a three-minute video to the contest page on www.SpareTheAir.org. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_13234432 Miramonte Grads Leave Behind Climate Change Lessons. Orinda — When carpooling Miramonte High School seniors roll into prime parking spots guaranteed to them this year, they can thank two graduates. And if they start thinking about climate change a little more, they'll have Devin Finzer and Patrick Ouziel to thank for that, too. Finger and Ouziel took the climate change issue to their peers as California Climate Champions, raising awareness about a warming planet and improving the school's carpool program. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/green/ci_13225329 EU To Begin Phasing Out Standard Lightbulbs. Brussels—The EU will start making the transition from power-draining lightbulbs to more energy efficient ones Tuesday, the European Commission said. Several nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines have already announced they will phase out or restrict sales of traditional bulbs as well. In 2007, President George W. Bush signed a bill that calls for the bulb to be phased out in the U.S. beginning in 2012. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/nationandworld/ci_13238659 Lawsuit fights Novato Narrows project: Critic: Climate Change Ignored. A Sausalito man could put a halt to the $745 million Novato Narrows widening project before the first shovel hits the ground. David Schonbrunn, president of the Transportation Solutions Defense and Education Fund, a San Rafael-based nonprofit watchdog group, has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Transportation alleging the agency's environmental impact report on the project is flawed. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_13237263 Climate Trouble May Be Bubbling Up In Far North. Mackenzie River Delta, Northwest Territories—Only a squawk from a sandhill crane broke the Arctic silence—and a low gurgle of bubbles, a watery whisper of trouble repeated in countless spots around the polar world. "On a calm day, you can see 20 or more 'seeps' out across this lake," said Canadian researcher Rob Bowen, sidling his small rubber boat up beside one of them. A tossed match would have set it ablaze. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/science/ci_13235165 UN Meeting: help nations adapt to global warming. GENEVA—As nations negotiate tough decisions on cutting greenhouse gases, the United Nations is holding a separate conference on coping with more floods, droughts and other effects of climate change already assured. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/columns/ci_13233899 Editorial: A Good Chance To Sidetrack High-Speed Rail Boondoggle. OFTEN THERE IS a wide gap separating a concept from reality. Such is the case with California's high-speed rail project. Conceptually, fast, comfortable, fuel-efficient, intercity, passenger rail transportation makes a lot of sense as fuel prices rise and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions are mandated. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_13224631 Hearing This Week On Hayward Power Plant Permit. HAYWARD — With a final permit pending for Calpine's Russell City Energy Center, air quality regulators are holding a public hearing this week on the proposed 600-megawatt plant near the Hayward shoreline. If past meetings are any indication, they're sure to get an earful — there's a long line of opponents who have spoken out against the plant at every opportunity. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_13235384 EarthTalk: Tax incentives. Q: Since President Barack Obama took office, have any new incentives been put in place for homeowners looking to increase energy efficiency and reduce the overall environmental footprints of their homes? A: In fact, yes. Homeowners can get up to $1,500 back from the federal government for any number of energy efficiency upgrades at home. Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/homeandgarden/ci_13200995 As Md. Praises the Green Amid the Blacktop, Skeptics Continue to See Red. After decades of controversy over an Intercounty Connector's environmental impacts, Maryland roads officials are billing it as "one of America's greenest highways." Posted. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/29/AR2009082902008.html Despite Last Few Days, Inland Air Quality Has Been Cleaner This Summer. Despite the scorching weather and smoky skies of the past few days, Southern Californians have been breezing through one of the cleanest summer smog seasons since officials started tracking daily air quality. Posted. http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_S_air30.32a3100.html Blowing Away Air Pollution. It's one of the sounds of summer -- leaf blowers.Now there's a program to lower the decibels and the pollution. The AQMD is offering to exchange the noisy leaf blowers for new, low-emission, quiet models. The program is called "Blowing Away Air Pollution" and kicked off in North Hollywood on Thursday. The new units are sold for less than half the retail cost. Posted. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Blowing-Away-Air-Pollution-55736267.html Wildfires Pose Threats To Valley Air, Health. The Valley's improved air quality this summer could soon turn ugly with soot from wildfires and ozone, air officials say. They are asking residents to closely follow air-quality forecasts online or from news outlets and take notice of any smoke in the air. The combination of soot and ozone can trigger lung and heart problems. Posted. http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1618871.html REGION: A 'Different' Summer. The ongoing heat wave notwithstanding, residents of San Diego and Riverside counties have enjoyed a relatively pleasant summer. On the coast and inland, temperatures were about normal for July and August, and three to six degrees cooler than long-term averages for June, according to weather statistics. Posted. http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_a07c6d9b-c31e-5e61-84d5-ad8b53a41d59.html State DOTs Tap Brakes on Emission Goals. The road to crafting a national transportation strategy that would curb greenhouse gas emissions has hit another pothole. State highway departments are worrying that some emissions goals are overly ambitious and threaten to deliver another blow to the economy and state efforts to repair and replace crumbling roads and bridges. Posted. http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/28/28climatewire-state-dots-tap-brakes-on-emission-goals-49089.html Reducing Dependence On Cars Key To Climate Initiative Targets. Napa County is searching for ways to become less dependent on cars in order to comply with state climate change protection targets. “We are trying to figure out how to decongest, to provide alternatives to driving,” said Paul Price, the executive director for the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency. Mr. Price came to the planning agency six months ago with 35 years of experience in the transportation industry. Posted. http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/14507/reducing-dependence-on-cars-key-to-climate-initiative-targets/ Looming Election Could Strengthen Japan's Climate Policy. Japan's landmark elections next week could have sweeping implications for the country's climate change policies. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), projected to win by a landslide, has pledged to slash Japan's greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels in the coming decade, compared to the 15 percent cut promised by the current ruling party. Posted. http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/28/28climatewire-looming-election-could-strengthen-japans-cli-98784.html OPINION:Clunkers Don’t Come Cheap. The $3 billion cash-for-clunkers program that ended last week worked well as a jolt of economic stimulus. Nearly 700,000 people used the rebate to buy new cars in July and August — adding about 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points to economic growth in the third quarter, at an annual rate. Posted. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/opinion/31mon4.html Ramping Up Renewable Energy. Southern California Edison has long been a proponent of renewable energy. And its actions speak louder than words. Last year, the Rosemead-based utility delivered about 12.6 billion kilowatt hours of renewable energy to customers. All told, about 16 percent of the energy SCE provides comes from renewable sources, including wind, geothermal, solar, biomass and small hydro. Posted. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13233994 Allen: Obama Energy Policies Hurting Deeds. The Obama administration and its energy policies are hurting Democratic candidate R. Creigh Deeds in the Virginia gubernatorial race, former Sen. George Allen said Tuesday. Posted. http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/26/allen-obama-energy-policies-hurting-deeds/ New Hydrogen Energy Plant Is A Welcome Addition To County's Vulnerable Economy. The Obama administration's announcement that it intends to pump $308 million into a proposed Kern County energy project represents a potential economic shot in the arm for our region. Posted. http://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community/x616724784/New-hydrogen-energy-plant-is-a-welcome-addition-to-countys-vulnerable-economy Some Buildings Not Living Up to Green Label. The Federal Building in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, features an extensive use of natural light to illuminate offices and a white roof to reflect heat. It has LEED certification, the country’s most recognized seal of approval for green buildings. Posted. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/science/earth/31leed.html?hp BLOGS Does Carbon Labeling Confuse Consumers? Tesco, a British supermarket chain, began festooning cartons of milk this month with information on the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production, processing, distribution and use of each pint. Tesco said putting the labels on milk pints – an iconic symbol of British life – helped to raise awareness about climate change and about the impact of store-bought goods. Posted. http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/does-carbon-labeling-confuse-consumers/ Seven Myths About Alternative Energy. As the world looks around anxiously for an alternative to oil, energy sources such as biofuels, solar, and nuclear seem like they could be the magic ticket. They're not. "We Need to Do Everything Possible to Promote Alternative Energy." Not exactly. It's certainly clear that fossil fuels are mangling the climate and that the status quo is unsustainable. There is now a broad scientific consensus that the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than 25 percent by 2020 -- and more than 80 percent by 2050. Posted. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/08/12/seven_myths_about_alternative_energy?print=yes&hidecomments=yes&page=full Would You Like Fries With That? Back in the day, if you told your Uncle Charlie that folks wanted to operate a hamburger restaurant in a nearby commercial area, he would have replied, “Well, that’s a nice thing. I like hamburgers.” Posted. http://golis.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10210/would-you-like-fries-with-that/