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newsclips -- Newsclips for September 10, 2009

Posted: 10 Sep 2009 11:03:33
California Air Resources Board News Clips for September 10, 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.

California Favors Efficiency Over Alt Energy. San Francisco
(Reuters) - California's chief climate change official on
Wednesday sees a big need for small-scale clean energy like
rooftop windmills and neighborhood solar power plants, but the
state will gain more from efficiency than renewable power.
California legislators are debating whether to commit the state
to getting 33 percent of its electricity from renewable power
like solar and wind, which is already an informal part of the
most populous U.S. state's landmark plan to cut greenhouse gas
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Posted.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5890DP20090910

Renewable Power: People Love It, But Devil Is In The Details. A
dramatic expansion in California of the use of wind, solar and
other “renewable” energy faces the Legislature in the waning days
of the 2009 session, with a complex debate that is targeting
money and logistics as much as the power itself. Boosting the
utilities’ “Renewable Portfolio Standard” is backed by
environmentalists, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and, generally, by
the legislative leadership. Posted. 
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=y9bdhsoutk1aqe#

Push Renewable Energy Lauded, But Divisions Over Details Remain.
Sacramento — Hoping to add "green" jobs to a beleaguered state
economy, California lawmakers are poised to take up new rules
dramatically increasing the amount of renewable power used in the
state over the next 10 years. But while that broad, if ambitious,
target — 33 percent by the end of 2020 — has attracted widespread
support from utilities, regulators and lawmakers, deep divisions
remain over how best to achieve it and how much it might cost.
Posted.
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_13302045?source=rss

A 5% Blend Of Algae-Based Biofuel Fills The Tank Of A Converted
Hybrid Prius. Eleven years ago, author, filmmaker and
alternative-fuel advocate Josh Tickell came to the Capitol in a
vehicle that ran on used vegetable oil – the cooking fluid of
choice for french fries. He was back in Sacramento on Wednesday,
driving a modified Toyota Prius running on a fuel mixture that
includes 5 percent algae-based biofuel. What transpired in the
intervening 11 years? "More people now know what is possible,
that green energy solutions and technology are not just a dream.
Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/business/v-print/story/2171662.html

CARB Fines Contractor Thousands for Emissions Violations. The
California Air Resources Board fined Dateland Construction Co.,
Inc $31,950 last month for emissions violations during 2007 and
2008. An ARB investigation showed Dateland Construction, based in
Indio, Calif., failed to properly inspect their diesel trucks as
required by California law. "Inspection and maintenance costs for
a diesel truck fleet are far cheaper than paying penalties," said
ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Public health suffers the
consequences when a company ignores clean-air laws." Posted.
http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6695801.html
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2009/Sept09/090709/090909-06.htm

Calculating Compliance With California ARB Rules. Several
companies are taking steps to help forklift fleet operators
calculate ways to comply with the California Air Resources Board
(ARB) fleet average emission level standards for large
spark-ignition (LSI) engines. In 1994, ARB began considering
emission control regulations for new LSI engines and, in 1998,
adopted the nation’s first LSI-engine emission standards, which
were implemented in phases between 2001 and 2004. Posted.
http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.aspx?nwid=7598

Powertech Awarded Shell Contract For High Capacity Hydrogen
Fuelling Station. Powertech, BC Hydro's subsidiary specializing
in clean energy solutions, announced today that it was selected
by Shell Hydrogen, LLC to provide a new hydrogen-fuelling station
at its gasoline retail station in Newport Beach, California. The
station will soon provide California drivers of hydrogen fuel
cell vehicles with more flexibility as it expands the network of
available hydrogen fuelling stations. Posted.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS102070+10-Sep-2009+PRN20090910

Climate Activists Wait for an Obama Speech to Call Their Own. As
President Obama delivered a possible make-or-break speech on
health care last night, climate change activists said they were
waiting patiently for a similar rhetorical moment. For now,
advocates said, there is broad acceptance about the president's
decision to push their key issue to the back burner. But many
argue that Obama needs to grant climate change equal attention on
prime-time television in coming months. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/09/10/10climatewire-climate-activists-wait-for-an-obama-speech-t-31874.html?pagewanted=print
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2009/09/10/1/

2nd UPDATE: EU May Give Up To EUR15B For Climate Change Fight.
Brussels --The European Commission said Thursday that the
European Union may give up to EUR15 billion a year by 2020 to
finance the fight to climate change in developing countries,
setting out a blueprint for negotiations on a global deal to
fight climate change later this year. "This initiative aims to
maximize the chances of concluding an ambitious global climate
change agreement" at a Copenhagen global meeting in December, the
commission said in a statement. Posted.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090910-706184.html

As Hill Debate Flounders, EPA Plows Ahead On Emission Rules. The
Obama administration is finalizing rules to control industrial
greenhouse gas emissions amid growing skepticism about the
prospects of Congress passing a comprehensive climate change bill
this year. U.S. EPA is nearly finished with rules that answer the
Supreme Court's 2007 opinion on global warming, as well as a
nationwide standard to control greenhouse gas emissions from
automobiles. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2009/09/10/1

U.S. Must Reject All Offset Mechanisms -- Enviro Group. A report
released today by an environmental group is calling on the United
States to reject outright the current system of international
carbon offsets, which sees wealthy countries pay developing
nations to make emission cuts at budget rates. "It is vital that
the inherent and systemic flaws in the approach are recognized as
U.S. policymakers debate climate legislation," the report by
Friends of the Earth says. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2009/09/10/5

Brazil Bashes U.S. Emissions Goal. Brazil's Environment Minister
said yesterday that U.S. goals for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions fall short of what is needed. Carlos Minc also promised
his country would soon announce its own greenhouse goals that
would include restrictions on the country's agriculture sector to
curb deforestation. The U.S. goal of returning to 1990 levels by
2020 is "very poor," Minc said. Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2009/09/10/6

EU Offers Poor Nations Billions In Climate Aid. Brussels — The
European Union proposed Thursday to offer up to euro15 billion
($21.8 billion) a year in aid to poor developing countries to
persuade them to sign a new global climate change agreement.
However, development and environmental campaigners blasted the
offer as insufficient because it assumes that poorer nations will
bear most of the costs of reducing their greenhouse gas
emissions. Posted.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gmRKILNtrv3xjLPjT60OHovq6A4gD9AKGLT00

Five EU States Vow To Step Up Climate Diplomacy. Copenhagen
(Reuters) - Britain, France, Denmark, Sweden and Finland agreed
Thursday to intensify "green diplomacy" to rescue an ambitious
global climate agreement in Copenhagen in December, officials
said. Posted.
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE5893Y620090910

Opinion: Climate insecurity. The debate over climate change
legislation is beginning to heat up. The American Clean Energy
and Security Act was passed by the House and is now before the
Senate. The debate on this issue typically takes the form of
environmental concerns about global warming pitted against
economic fears about the cost of reducing greenhouse gases. It is
often framed in left-right terms. Posted.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.climatechange10sep10,0,7669179.story

How To Move The Public On Climate Action? Many Americans believe
climate change is an impending environmental threat that faces us
in the next millennium, however, although global warming is
considered the biggest threat, most people are not committed to
making the choices and lifestyle changes that are required.
Posted.
http://www.examiner.com/x-12791-SF-Green-Careers-Examiner~y2009m9d9-How-to-move-the-public-on-climate-action

California Issues Regulations for Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance.
California's insurance commissioner, Steven Poizner, has issued
final pay-as-you-drive regulations, which will enable insurers to
offer consumers rates that are based on actual miles driven as
opposed to estimated miles driven. "Pay as you drive is an
innovative way to create financial incentives for California
motorists to drive less, leading to lower-cost auto insurance,
less air pollution and a reduced dependence on foreign oil," said
Poizner. Posted.
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2009/09/10/103600.htm

Wind Power: Obama's Promises Just Hot Air So Far. Washington --
President Barack Obama is still at least a year away from seeing
wind turbines take root anywhere off the U.S. coast, even though
his administration has promised to make offshore wind a priority,
and even though developers are lining up to string wind farms up
and down the Atlantic seaboard. The administration, delayed by
controversy and red tape, has made "clean energy" one of its top
policy pushes but has yet to grant a single permit for wind or
solar development on public land, onshore or off. Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/702/v-print/story/2169052.html

Disputed South Bay Power Plant Could Lose Permit. But state
operator says it's a ‘must run’ facility. Chula Vista — The
region's water-pollution regulators yesterday warned operators of
the South Bay Power Plant that a key permit might be canceled in
coming months, even though California's electricity managers said
the facility is critical to ensuring a stable energy supply.
Posted.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/10/disputed-south-bay-power-plant-could-lose-permit/

Sarkozy Urges Carbon Tax on Households and Businesses. Paris --
French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to tax carbon dioxide
emissions by households and businesses, a measure aimed at
helping France slash its output greenhouse gases over the coming
decades -- but viewed with skepticism by many. In a highly
anticipated speech on the subject, Mr. Sarkozy sought to convince
his compatriots of the need for the carbon tax, which surveys
show around two-thirds of the French oppose. France would be the
largest economy to impose one so far. Posted.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125259026423099435.html


BNA Daily Environment Report, Sept. 9, 2009. Climate Change
Senators Urged to Strengthen Targets, Protect State Authority in
Climate Legislation. A group of state environmental officials
urged Senate Democrats in a Sept. 2 letter to rein in “overly
generous” carbon offsets awarded to the agricultural and forestry
sector in House climate change legislation and to ensure that
states can continue to take steps to curb greenhouse gas
emissions. 

The letter, sent to two Democrats who are drafting Senate
climate legislation—Sens. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) and John Kerry
(Mass.)—also called for strengthening the 2020 emissions
reduction target in the House bill. The legislation would require
that emissions be cut 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.

The letter said the Senate should press for a 20 percent cut by
2020 and should include language to “periodically” adjust targets
if scientific findings suggest it is warranted.
 
“The House bill falls short of requiring the GHG reductions in
the U.S. called for by the consensus opinion of the scientific
community,” the letter said.
The House approved its climate change bill in June; Boxer and
Kerry plan to introduce their bill in late September. Senate
Democrats hope to move the bill to the floor in mid-to-late
October (171 DEN A-9, 9/8/09).
 
The Sept. 2 letter was sent from nine state environmental
officials including Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California
Air Resources Board; Amey Marrella, acting commissioner of the
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; and Douglas
Scott, director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
 
The state officials warned that the House bill (H.R. 2454)
relies too much on emissions offsets for reducing U.S. greenhouse
gas emissions. The offset provisions would allow power plants and
other companies to earn credit toward making required emissions
cuts by funding tree planting and other farm and forestry efforts
to store carbon.
 
The Senate bill should “provide reasonable assurance that the
majority of emissions reductions will come from within capped
sectors” that are required to make actual emissions reductions,
the officials wrote.
 
Also signing the letter were David Littell commissioner of the
Maine Department of Environmental Protection; Laurie Burt,
commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection; Mark Mauriello, commissioner of the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection; Pete Grannis,
commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental
Conservation; Dick Pederson, director of the Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality; and Jay Manning, director of the
Washington State Department of Ecology.
 
The letter's call for maintaining state regulatory authority
over greenhouse gas emissions echoed a number of similar recent
suggestions offered by state officials, including a group of
state attorneys general in an Aug. 31 letter to Boxer and Kerry
(168 DEN A-10, 9/2/09).
 
State Authority Should be Maintained
 
In their Sept. 2 letter, the nine state environmental officials
said the Senate also should maintain certain provisions that give
states specific authority to adopt or enforce their own renewable
electricity standards and energy efficiency laws, and to regulate
electricity rates.
 
The House bill, authored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and
Edward Markey (D-Mass.), would preempt state emissions caps as
well as regional efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions
from 2012 to 2017 to provide ample time for the establishment of
a federal carbon trading market.
 
“If the Senate finds it necessary to impose a short moratorium
on state/regional cap-and-trade programs, the duration should be
consistent with the requisite compliance periods within existing
programs” and should not begin until the federal cap-and-trade
program is operational, the letter said.
 
Also, if “for any reason, implementation of the federal program
is delayed, the moratorium” on state and regional programs
“should be similarly delayed,” the state officials wrote.
 
Other state groups, including the National Association of Clean
Air Agencies, have urged the Senate to abandon the House bill's
2012-2017 moratorium on state efforts. NACAA, in an Aug. 5 letter
to the Senate, said that “no compelling reason has been offered
for this encroachment on states' rights.”
By Dean Scott
The Sept. 2 letter from the nine state environmental officials
to Sens. Boxer and Kerry is available at http://www.nescaum.org
under the heading “Items of Interest.”
 



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