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ARB Newsclips for December 10, 2013. 

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.

CAP AND TRADE

European Lawmakers Vote to Support Carbon Trading. Lawmakers at
the European Parliament on Tuesday approved a rescue plan for the
European Union’s system for trading carbon-emission credits.
Their hope is to revive prices for carbon credits, which have
been so low that the system is creating few incentives for
smokestack industries to cut back on their emissions of
greenhouse gases. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/business/energy-environment/european-lawmakers-vote-to-support-carbon-trading.html?pagewanted=print


1-Year Anniversary: California's Cap-and-Trade is a Success.  On
the one-year anniversary of California's carbon market, the
results are in - it is a success.  The program has raised an
impressive $1.4 billion for California. Half of that funds
renewable energy projects and cutting emissions, including $130
million specifically destined for low-income communities. 
Posted. 
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/25388


Carbon tax repeal hits Senate roadblock. The federal government's
plan to scrap the carbon tax has run headlong into a Senate
roadblock, with the first bill rejected and little hope the upper
house will decide on the full package of bills before next year.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called on the Senate to vote on
his package of 11 bills to remove the carbon tax before
parliament adjourns for its summer break on Thursday night.
Posted.
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/carbon-tax-repeal-hits-senate-roadblock-20131210-2z2xe.html


AIR POLLUTION

Shanghai Air Pollution Wanes After Smog Forces Cancellations.
Shanghai’s air pollution fell to “light” levels after record smog
this month prompted flight cancellations and the city warned
children and elderly to stay indoors on at least seven of
December’s first nine days. The city’s PM2.5 air pollution was
63.1 micrograms per cubic meter as of 2 p.m., after hitting 360
micrograms per cubic meter yesterday. Posted.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2013-12-10/shanghai-air-pollution-wanes-after-smog-forced-flights-canceled.html

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-12-09/shanghai-air-pollution-wanes-after-smog-forced-flights-canceled


Supreme Court to hear arguments Tuesday over EPA pollution rules.
 The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday on whether the
Environmental Protection Agency can require Midwestern states to
cut the smog and soot that travels from their power plants
downwind to Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.  The arguments
come a day after governors in eight of the downwind states filed
a petition with the EPA to try to force their neighbor states to
reduce their straying emissions regardless of the court ruling. 
Posted. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-to-hear-arguments-tuesday-over-epa-pollution-rules/2013/12/09/5417b50a-60ee-11e3-8beb-3f9a9942850f_story.html?tid=hpModule_ba0d4c2a-86a2-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394
  

Third consecutive Spare the Air alert issued for Tuesday in Bay
Area.  Wood fires will be banned in the Bay Area on Tuesday as a
result of a Spare the Air alert issued for the third consecutive
day.  A prolonged spell of cold stagnant air is trapping
pollutants near the ground, spurring the Bay Area Air Quality
Management District to issue its seventh Spare the Air alert of
the cold season.  Posted. 
http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_24687918/third-consecutive-spare-air-alert-issued-tuesday-bay?IADID=Search-www.insidebayarea.com-www.insidebayarea.com
  
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_24687918/third-consecutive-spare-air-alert-issued-tuesday-bay?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com


Supreme Court seems receptive to some EPA arguments in
cross-state case. U.S. EPA pressed the Supreme Court today to
uphold its effort to curb air pollution that drifts from one
state to another. At issue is the 2011 Cross-State Air Pollution
Rule, or CSAPR, a regulatory regime for 28 Eastern states tossed
out last year by a federal appeals court after challenges from
industry and some states. EPA maintains it reasonably interpreted
the phrase "contribute significantly" in the Clean Air
Act's…Posted.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1059991595/print BY
SUBSCRIPTION ONLY

CLIMATE CHANGE

Local leaders planning for climate effects. When it comes to
climate change, local officials have a message for Washington:
Lead or get out of the way. Local governments have long acted as
first responders in emergencies and now are working to plan for
sea level rise, floods, hurricanes and other extreme events
associated with climate change. As a presidential task force
prepares for its first meeting Tuesday, local officials say they
want and need federal support…Posted. 
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CLIMATE_CHANGE_RESPONSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


OTHER RELATED STORIES
http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/Local-leaders-planning-for-climate-effects-5050235.php

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Local+leaders+tell+Washington+climate+change+response/9267183/story.html


The Montreal Protocol, a Little Treaty That Could. Here is a
remarkable fact about global warming: It might be twice as bad
right now were it not for a treaty negotiated by a conservative
American president, for an entirely different purpose, based on
motives no one has ever quite understood. That treaty is known,
in shorthand, as the Montreal Protocol. Its formal purpose is to
save the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, which protects the
planet and its people from debilitating levels of cancer-causing
ultraviolet radiation. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/science/the-montreal-protocol-a-little-treaty-that-could.html?_r=0&pagewanted=print


San Mateo County most vulnerable in California to seal level
rise. A regional or countywide flood protection district
dedicated to sea level disaster preparations should be assembled
immediately, according to a group of nearly 400 people who packed
a College of San Mateo auditorium today. The group assembled to
attend a four-hour conference titled "Meeting the Challenge of
Sea Level Rise in San Mateo County," which was presented by U.S.
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo…Posted.
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics-government/ci_24692910/san-mateo-county-most-vulnerable-california-seal-level?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com


State releases carbon footprint app.  California has released a
new app that businesses and families can use to calculate their
impact on the environment.  The app, Cool California, was made
available by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) this week
to reveal the estimated tons of carbon dioxide emitted each year
when families use gas, electricity, water and even shop for food
and clothes.  Posted. 
http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/energy-and-environment/9929-state-releases-carbon-footprint-app


New greenhouse gas has higher global warming impact than Carbon
dioxide. Toronto:  Scientists have discovered a man-made
greenhouse gas that appears to have the highest global-warming
impact as compared to any other compound to date. The chemical -
perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA) - is the most radiatively
efficient chemical found to date, breaking all other chemical
records for its potential to impact climate…Posted.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/new-greenhouse-gas-has-higher-global-warming-impact-than-carbon-dioxide-456916


New Report: Rising Seas Threaten 233 Federally Protected Species.
Sea-level rise driven by climate change poses a deadly threat to
233 federally protected animal and plant species in 23 coastal
states, according to a new scientific report from the Center for
Biological Diversity, and U.S. wildlife protection agencies are
not doing enough to protect at-risk species. For the “Deadly
Waters” report, Center scientists analyzed data from the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service,
as well as scientific literature. Posted.
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2013/sea-level-rise-12-10-2013.html


DIESEL EMISSIONS

Carrier’s Exhaust Emissions System Gets CARB Conditional
Approval.  An optional engine emissions system (EES), capable of
reducing diesel particulate mass from trailer refrigeration unit
exhaust by more than 98%, has received conditional verification
from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Carrier
Transicold says.  The CARB level 3+ verified diesel emissions
control (VDEC) device can be included on new trailer
refrigeration units or added later for users who do not initially
require it…Posted. 
http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/products/article/story/2013/12/carrier-s-exhaust-emissions-system-gets-carb-conditional-approval.aspx
  

FUELS 

Gasoline Declines as Fuel Inventories Expected to Rise. Gasoline
futures fell on speculation that supplies of the motor fuel
increased for the third week in a row as refiners increased
operating rates. Futures sank as much as 0.5 percent. Inventories
expanded by 2 million barrels last week, according to the median
estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Refinery
utilization rose 0.5 percentage point from the prior week, which
marked highest seasonal level since 2004, the survey showed.
Posted.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-10/diesel-advances-as-cold-weather-boosts-heating-oil-use.html


VEHICLES

Ford considers diesel, hybrid and electric versions of new
Mustang. Someday, muscle-car enthusiasts might brag about
kilowatts, not horsepower. Future versions of the 2015 Ford
Mustang, which was revealed last week, might possibly get diesel,
hybrid, and even electric powertrains. At the car's unveiling,
Ford global powertrain chief Bob Fascetti told GoAuto that the
Blue Oval is pondering all of these options, in an effort to make
the Mustang greener. Posted.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2013/1209/Ford-considers-diesel-hybrid-and-electric-versions-of-new-Mustang


Electric Cars Kick Your Car’s Boot — 8 Ways How. “Boot” = “trunk”
in British English. It also sounds a bit like butt. Hence, the
headline. It’s no secret at all to people who own or have driven
electric cars — electric cars totally kick the ass (or boot) of
their gasmobile cousins. It’s not simply a matter of how nicely
they drive, but there are probably a dozen reasons why we see
them as being much more awesome. I’ll quickly run down 7. Posted.
http://cleantechnica.com/2013/12/09/electric-cars-kick-cars-boot-8-ways/#gjZsKzJTpUWmaIh6.99


MISCELLANEOUS

Cold dis-comfort: Antarctica set record of -135.8. Feeling
chilly? Here's cold comfort: You could be in East Antarctica
which new data says set a record for "soul-crushing" cold. Try
135.8 degrees Fahrenheit below zero; that's 93.2 degrees below
zero Celsius, which sounds only slightly toastier. Better yet,
don't try it. That's so cold scientists say it hurts to breathe.
A new look at NASA satellite data revealed that Earth set a new
record for coldest temperature recorded. It happened in August
2010 when it hit -135.8 degrees. Posted.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SCI_COLDEST_EVER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Cold-dis-comfort-Antarctica-set-record-of-135-8-5049200.php


Cows to get carbon credits for not burping. By replacing urea
supplements with nitrate salts, the amount of methane burped by
cattle can be reduced by up to 20 per cent. Using a new
methodology, producers could then claim credits on their herds'
reduced methane emissions through the Federal Governmentas Carbon
Farming Initiative. RAMP Carbon developed the methodology with
Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Agricultural
Company. Posted.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/20245744/cows-to-get-carbon-credits-for-not-burping/


OPINIONS

Lewis Diuguid: China could lead efforts to end global warming. 
Necessity places this great city ahead of most in fixing
humanity's shared global warming problem.  Pollution costs China
billions of dollars a year in health and other losses, but that
hasn't slowed China's growth.  Its economy is No. 2 behind the
U.S., and it is the world's largest auto market and growing.
Posted. 
http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/12/10/3659188/lewis-diuguid-china-could-lead.html
 
http://www.modbee.com/2013/12/10/3080517/lewis-diuguid-china-could-lead.html


On climate change, action vs. inaction: Your Say. A decline in
sea ice and increased risk of extinction for some plant and
animal species are linked to man-made climate change, according
to a National Research Council report released last week.
Comments are edited for clarity and grammar: The severity of
global warming is potentially catastrophic. Leaning toward doing
something about global warming, even though it is
unproved…Posted.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/12/09/on-climate-change-action-vs-inaction-your-say/3935307/


Green Power Gridlock: Why Renewable Energy Is No Alternative.
Since just about everything we do and the equipment needed to
support it depends upon a source of energy, wouldn’t it be great
if someone would invent perpetual motion machines that  can 
generate all we want without consuming any resources or producing
pollution? Okay, some of you are doubtless saying: “Yes, and they
already exist. There are wind turbines and solar power systems
that can do that if we build enough of them.” Posted.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2013/12/10/green-power-gridlock-why-renewable-energy-is-no-alternative/


BLOGS

New EPA chief visits China to talk air pollution in first trip
abroad. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina
McCarthy embarked on her first international trip this week,
visiting China to talk about collaborating with that country to
combat air pollution and climate change. In a speech on Tuesday
morning, the EPA chief planned to commend China for confronting
those environmental issues with ”urgency and commitment,”…Posted.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/12/10/new-epa-chief-visits-china-to-talk-air-pollution-in-first-trip-abroad/


China Releases Blueprint for Adapting to Climate Change. China
issued its first nation-wide blueprint for adapting to climate
change, as governments around the world shift their efforts from
focusing solely on curbing global warming to minimizing its
impact on people and the environment. “Addressing climate change
isn’t only about reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, it’s also
about taking initiative on adaptation,” …Posted.
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/12/10/china-issues-blueprint-to-help-minimize-effects-of-global-warming-and-climate-change/


Climate Change Capitalism. Several leading energy companies and
public utilities have quietly accepted the reality of climate
change. They acknowledge that carbon will be taxed or a price
added to it to discourage fossil fuel use and encourage renewable
energy sources. In their long-term strategies, they now assume
that the cost of carbon will rise significantly. Last week, a
non-profit research organization called CDP…Posted.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2013/12/10/energy-and-utility-companies-recognize-the-climate-change-reality
 
 
For Our Children--and the Economy--Congress Must Act Now to
Continue Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy. Few of us have the
tedious details of the U.S. tax code on our minds during this
holiday season. But one of the best gifts Congress could give
us—and future generations—would be to extend the renewable energy
tax incentives expiring this month. Without congressional action,
only the long-subsidized fossil fuel industry will benefit.
Posted.
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kkennedy/for_our_children--and_the_econ.html


U.S. Cities Prepare For Climate Change Effects. When it comes to
climate change, local officials have a message for Washington:
Lead or get out of the way. Local governments have long acted as
first responders in emergencies and now are working to plan for
sea level rise, floods, hurricanes and other extreme events
associated with climate change. As a presidential task force
prepares for its first meeting Tuesday, local officials say they
want and need federal support, but they worry that congressional
gridlock and balky bureaucratic rules too often get in the way.
Posted.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/10/cities-climate-change_n_4417955.html


Electric Cars: Which States Are Doing It Right, Which States Lag?
If you live in parts of California, electric cars--from the
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid all the way up to the Tesla Model
S--are no longer uncommon. The streets of Palo Alto, in the
center of Silicon Valley, are practically crawling with Teslas
these days. But in other parts of the country, you may go months
without seeing a single car with a plug. Posted.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089014_electric-cars-which-states-are-doing-it-right-which-states-lag


Newly discovered greenhouse gas '7,000 times more powerful than
CO2'. Perfluorotributylamine is an unregulated, long-living
industrial chemical that breaks all records for potential climate
impacts. A new greenhouse gas that is 7,000 times more powerful
than carbon dioxide at warming the Earth has been discovered by
researchers in Toronto. The newly discovered gas,
perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA), has been in use by the electrical
industry since the mid-20th century. Posted.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/10/new-greenhouse-gas-powerful-chemical-perfluorotributylamine