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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for October 24, 2012.

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 14:50:50
ARB Newsclips for October 24, 2012. 

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.

CLIMATE CHANGE

EU: Spain, Italy putting EU emissions cuts at risk. Debt-ridden
Spain and Italy could hinder the European Union from achieving
its goal of cutting greenhouse emissions under an international
climate pact, the EU's environmental agency said Wednesday.
The EU considers itself at the forefront of the fight against
climate change and as a bloc it's on track to meet its
obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, which limits the emissions
of gases that warm the planet. Posted.
http://www.nctimes.com/news/science/eu-spain-italy-putting-eu-emissions-cuts-at-risk/article_2b90eac5-57d0-5e27-81bd-a08a2f4933cc.html
http://www.dailynews.com/ci_21842358/eu-spain-italy-putting-eu-climate-target-at?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews.com
 http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_21842358/eu-spain-italy-putting-eu-climate-target-at?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com
 http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/10/24/3040486/eu-spain-italy-putting-eu-climate.html#storylink=misearch
 

EU May Weigh Carbon Price Support, Offset Limit, Draft Shows. The
European Union may consider introducing mechanisms to support
carbon prices and limit the use of offsets in its emissions
trading system after 2020 to strengthen the market, according to
a draft EU document. Other options for the 27-nation bloc to
strengthen the world’s biggest cap-and-trade program are
tightening the EU emissions-reduction target, canceling a number
of carbon permits to alleviate an oversupply and expansion of the
system into new industries, according to the draft report on the
state of the European carbon market obtained by Bloomberg News.
Posted.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-23/eu-may-weigh-carbon-price-mechanisms-offset-limits-draft-shows.html


Blown away by the attacks on wind-power subsidy. Mitt Romney and
oil, gas and nuclear interests want to end a tax credit for
wind-energy producers. Never mind that old-energy firms are
heavily subsidized too. To hear business leaders and political
candidates talk, proper industrial policy comprises only three
elements: a fair tax system, a level playing field and
"certainty." So why is it that all three are about to be thrown
out the window as a sop to oil, gas and nuclear interests
determined to fillet the wind-power industry? Posted.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20121024,0,1784468,print.column


Presidential debates offered nothing on climate change. For the
first time since the topic surfaced in a presidential race in
1988, nominees made no mention of climate change during the
prime-time television debates this year between the presidential
contenders themselves or their running mates. Debate moderators
also chose not to ask President Barack Obama or former
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney about the issue, despite a clamor
by climate activists and some not-so-gentle prodding on the part
of pundits and scientists.  Posted.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/10/23/3040117/presidential-debates-offered-nothing.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy


Related articles:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/10/24/the-five-biggest-issues-left-out-of-the-debates/

Judge's death brings new twist in high-stakes climate case. The
outcome of a prominent climate case has become even more shrouded
in mystery after one of the three judges considering the matter
died this week. Judge Betty Binns Fletcher, who died Monday at
the age of 89, was on the three-judge panel of the San
Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that is
weighing the lawfulness of California's new low carbon fuel
standard, which is aimed at lowering the carbon intensity of
transportation fuels by about 10 percent by 2020. It's part of
the state's landmark climate change law, commonly known as A.B.
32. Posted. http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/print/2012/10/24/1 BY
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

U.S. likely to come just shy of emissions reduction target in
2020 – report. The United States is likely to reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions by 16.3 percent from 2005 levels by
2020, falling just shy of the 17 percent target pledged by
President Obama at the 2009 climate talks in Copenhagen, Denmark,
according to a new study. "With the failure to pass comprehensive
climate legislation in the 2010-2011 Congress…Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2012/10/24/4  BY
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

EU Plans To Ban Kyoto-Era Carbon Credits. The European Commission
has proposed an Emissions Trading System (ETS) ban on €440
million of Kyoto-era carbon credits from non-EU countries such as
Russia, which have not signed up to a second Kyoto commitment
period. The document, which EurActiv has seen, says Emission
Reduction Unit credits, or ERUs, “issued from 1st January 2013 in
respect of projects in host Parties without new quantified
emissions targets in place shall not be held in accounts in the
Union registry.” Posted.
http://www.thegwpf.org/eu-plans-to-ban-kyoto-era-carbon-credits/

 
FUELS

In Oil-Rich Iran, Natural Gas Turns Wheels. HOW’S this for a
paradox? Iran, an oil power seeking to become a nuclear power,
has instead become a natural gas power. According to the latest
figures from the Natural Gas Vehicle Knowledge Base, Iran, with
the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves after Russia, in
2011 became the world leader in natural gas vehicles with some
2.9 million on the road, narrowly edging Pakistan, which is
trailed by Argentina, Brazil and India, respectively. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/business/energy-environment/to-lower-pollution-iran-becomes-a-natural-gas-leader.html


California gas prices plunging. California gas prices are
plunging from record highs set two weeks ago as refineries come
back on line, motorists drive less and the cheaper winter blend
of fuel reaches neighborhood filling stations. That was expected.
But here's a surprise -- a pleasant one: Prices may fall an
additional 10 to 15 cents a gallon a week through Thanksgiving to
about $4 a gallon, and they could drop to $3.75 a gallon or lower
before the end of the year. Posted.
http://www.mercurynews.com/traffic/ci_21838669/california-gas-prices-plunging?source=rss#


Valero tightlipped about rumored sale of Benicia oil refinery. 
Rumors are swirling that Valero is putting its two California oil
refineries on the market, including one in Benicia that is the
city's largest employer. The speculation follows a Wall Street
Journal report last week that said the San Antonio-based company
has enlisted Citigroup Inc. to help find a buyer for the
facilities.  Posted. 
http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_21843877/valero-tightlipped-about-rumored-sale-benicia-oil-refinery?IADID=Search-www.insidebayarea.com-www.insidebayarea.com
 http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_21843877/valero-tightlipped-about-rumored-sale-benicia-oil-refinery?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com


US may soon become world's top oil producer. U.S. oil output is
surging so fast that the United States could soon overtake Saudi
Arabia as the world's biggest producer. Driven by high prices and
new drilling methods, U.S. production of crude and other liquid
hydrocarbons is on track to rise 7 percent this year to an
average of 10.9 million barrels per day. This will be the fourth
straight year of crude increases and the biggest single-year gain
since 1951. Posted.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121023/A_NEWS/121029973&cid=sitesearch
 

Pump prices should continue to dip as wholesale gas prices
tumble. California motorists are getting a reprieve at the pump
as wholesale gasoline prices continue to tumble. Although
California's average price for regular unleaded gasoline is still
75 cents above the national average, prices have gone down a few
cents every day for the past two weeks. Wholesale prices became
so high that they finally plateaued and began to decline sharply
as demand slowed, said Denton Cinquegrana, senior West Coast
market editor for Oil Price Information Service. Posted.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/oct/23/pump-prices-should-continue-to-dip-as-wholesale/
 

Delta 3Q profit surges on fuel contract gains. Delta Air Lines
said Wednesday that its third-quarter profit nearly doubled
mostly due to the increasing value of its fuel contracts. The
world's second-largest airline earned $1.05 billion, or $1.23 per
share, compared with $549 million, or 65 cents, a year earlier.
Excluding one-time items, it earned $768 million or 90 cents _
just shy of Wall Street expectations of 91 cents. Revenue rose 1
percent to $9.92 billion, also just under analysts' estimate of
$9.93 billion, according to FactSet. Posted. 
http://www.nctimes.com/business/delta-q-profit-surges-on-fuel-contract-gains/article_2206ab93-679f-5f42-b504-8fc2052767e4.html

VEHICLES

PSA Peugeot Citroën and GM confirm key steps in global strategic
alliance; four vehicle projects, joint purchasing.  PSA Peugeot
Citroën and General Motors confirmed important steps toward the
execution of their Global Strategic Alliance. (earlier post) This
alliance is structured around two main pillars: the sharing of
vehicle platforms, components and modules; and the creation of a
global purchasing joint venture for the sourcing of commodities,
components and other goods and services from suppliers with
combined annual purchasing volumes of approximately $125 billion.
 Posted. 
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/10/gmpsa-20121024.html  

Univ. of Maryland team develops promising sodium-ion cathode
material: FePO4/nanotube composite.  Researchers at the
University of Maryland have developed a nanocomposite material of
amorphous, porous FePO4 nanoparticles electrically wired by
single-wall carbon nanotubes as a potential cathode material for
sodium-ion batteries (SIBs).  Posted. 
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/10/liu-20121024.html  

Damen launches its first hybrid tug.  Netherlands-based Damen
Shipyards has launched its first hybrid tug—the ASD Tug 2810
Hybrid; Iskes Towage & Salvage will be the launching customer.
The signing ceremony took place at the Offshore Energy conference
in Amsterdam. The Dutch shipyard group is building hybrid tugs
for stock; the second hybrid vessel will be available from stock
end-2013.  Posted. 
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/10/damen-20121024.html  

Sell Electric Cars Like Smartphones.  Three big barriers are
slowing electric vehicles. One can be fixed by the auto industry
tomorrow -- and if it is, the other two will melt away as the
electric vehicle sector expands. Start with a simple but
surprising...  Posted.  http://www.cars21.com/news/view/5010 

2014 Fiat 500E Electric Car To Be Launched At LA Auto Show.
Organizers of the Los Angeles Auto Show have confirmed that Fiat
will launch its electric 500 at the show. The 2014 Fiat 500E
ditches the regular car's 1.4-liter gasoline engine, in favor of
a battery-electric drivetrain. Beyond that, we don't know many
details about the 500E. Fiat and Chrysler have never really been
happy about launching an electric 500 due to the expense
involved.  Posted.  http://www.cars21.com/news/view/5009 

EV charging plugs in Europe: towards one unique solution for Type
2.  So far, the EV charging standardisation process has been
tough as policy and standards came after first commercially
available products. In Europe, several solutions emerged because
of the requirement to comply with different national regulations.
However, it seems that one company just revealed what could be
“THE” solution for Type 2 charging in Europe.  Posted. 
http://www.cars21.com/news/view/5006 

GREEN ENERGY

U.S. to study cancer risks near 6 nuclear plants. San Onofre is
among the facilities to be studied in the $2-million pilot
program conducted by the National Academy of Sciences. The U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced plans Tuesday to launch a
pilot epidemiological study of cancer risks near six nuclear
power plants, including San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in
north San Diego County. Posted.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-1024-san-onofre-cancer-20121024,0,4821976.story


Sacramento ranks No. 4 in clean tech index. Lots of
energy-efficient buildings and hybrid vehicles. A sizable crop of
workers engaged in green and clean-tech industries. Add it all
up, and Sacramento ranks No. 4 in a nationwide index of clean
tech metro areas released Tuesday. The first-ever U.S. Metro
Clean Tech Index, assembled by Oregon consulting firm Clean Edge
Inc., gives the Sacramento area high marks for its workforce,
hybrid and electric vehicles and buildings that qualify for the
federal government's Energy Star certification. Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/24/4933782/sacramento-ranks-no-4-in-clean.html#storylink=cpy


Industry group says energy storage still going strong despite
troubles with key players Officials from the energy storage
industry yesterday gave a sunny outlook for their sector despite
financial trouble among some players, citing new projects,
growing markets and advances in storage technology. "My goal here
is to tell you that this works," said the Electricity Storage
Association's (ESA) policy director, Katherine Hamilton, speaking
at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. "These are
technologies that are really important that we need to make sure
are included in our energy policy." Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/print/2012/10/24/6  BY
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

MISCELLANEOUS

Celebrating 100 years of the garbage truck. Last week, Waste and
Recycling News (WRN) announced the 100th Anniversary of the
Garbage Truck. “The story of the garbage truck is one that truly
goes unnoticed,” said Frank Guercio, Director of Fleet for Waste
Management of Southern California. “Garbage trucks today are
modern miracles on wheels.” According to WRN, the first garbage
truck appeared in 1912. From the mechanical arms to the massive
compactors inside, the modern garbage truck has come a long way.
However, two of the most significant achievements are advanced
safety features and the reduction of its environmental impact.
Posted.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/oct/23/celebrating-100-years-of-the-garbage-truck-6159/

Judge bans GMOs in national wildlife refuges.  U.S. District
Judge James Boasberg made what couldn't have been a very tough
call yesterday. Until an environmental analysis is done, no one
can plant genetically modified crops in National Wildlife
Refuges.  Posted. 
http://grist.org/news/judge-bans-gmos-in-national-wildlife-refuges/


California’s biggest climate hawk comes under fire.  There may be
no state legislative race this year more freighted with
significance for clean energy than the contest in California's
27th state Senate district.  That's where Democrat Fran Pavley, a
long-time champion of clean energy, is facing off against Todd
Zink, a Republican first-timer backed by a torrent of
dirty-energy, and just dirty, money.  Posted. 
http://grist.org/politics/californias-biggest-climate-hawk-comes-under-fire/


BLOGS

From ‘Frontline,’ a Look at the Skeptics’ Advance. Less than 24
hours after the final presidential debate ended with the words
“climate change” left unsaid, PBS aired a report that essentially
explains the omission. “Climate of Doubt,” a “Frontline”
documentary presented on Tuesday night, probably allots the
biggest single block of national airtime to climate skeptics like
Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Tim Phillips
of Americans for Prosperity and S. Fred Singer than we’ve seen in
a long time. Posted.
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/from-frontline-a-look-at-the-skeptics-advance/?ref=earth


The Issue That Dare Not Speak Its Name. A mountain of scientific
evidence points to climate change as a serious risk for the human
future. The Pentagon sees it as a threat to national security.
Arctic sea ice hit a record low this summer. In some low-lying
countries threatened by sea level rise, evacuation planning has
already begun. Yet the presidential debates are now over, and not
once did climate change surface explicitly as an issue. This
campaign is the first time that has happened since 1988, and
environmental groups – and environmentally minded voters – are
aghast. Posted.
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/the-issue-that-dare-not-speak-its-name/?ref=earth
 

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