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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for December 19, 2014.
Posted: 19 Dec 2014 12:24:19
ARB Newsclips for December 19, 2014. 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 Polluting Is Getting Expensive in Europe Again: Carbon & Climate. The surge in European carbon permit prices may just be beginning. The price of emission rights will rise 61 percent by June 30, according to the median of 16 trader and analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. UBS Group AG says costs may more than double in 2015. Carbon already jumped 44 percent this year, while the 22-member Bloomberg Commodities Index (BCOM) slid 14 percent. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-19/polluting-is-getting-expensive-in-europe-again-carbon-climate.html Calif. approves move toward adding first farming offset to cap and trade. California's Air Resources Board yesterday gave initial approval to a proposal that would let rice farmers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and sell credits in the state's carbon cap-and-trade market. The agency board approved a staff recommendation to take comments on an initial plan, address environmental concerns and revise as needed. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060010842/print AIR POLLUTION EPA expected to treat coal ash waste like garbage. Environmentalists and industry experts widely expect the first federal standards for the waste generated from coal burned for electricity to treat the ash like household garbage, rather than a hazardous material. The Obama administration is under court order to unveil the rule Friday, ending a six-year effort that began after a massive spill at a Tennessee power plant in 2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/epa-expected-to-treat-coal-ash-waste-like-garbage/2014/12/19/f4854af0-875a-11e4-abcf-5a3d7b3b20b8_story.html http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4661358.html Global Emissions Hit New Record High. 2013 was another record year for global CO2 emissions, a report has revealed. Emissions reached a record high of 35.3 billion tonnes, with the biggest increases seen in Brazil, India, China and Indonesia. Russia and the EU countries were the only countries to decrease the amount of CO2 emitted. http://www.newsweek.com/2013-record-year-global-emissions-293256 14 areas in 6 states out of compliance with fine-particle limit – EPA. U.S. EPA today designated 14 areas in six states as out of compliance with the standard for fine particulate matter, a classification that triggers pollution control plans under the Clean Air Act. In a final decision posted this afternoon, the agency said air monitoring data from 2011 to 2013 show that those areas are contributing to a violation of the standard. The decision finalizes a proposal from August. http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/stories/1060010817/print Republicans snub Senate hearing on ozone standard. Republicans boycotted a Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee hearing yesterday on the federal ozone standard, calling it little more than a "last-stand press conference." Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) led the hearing on U.S. EPA's recent proposal to tighten the 2008 standard that was crafted by the George W. Bush administration. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060010781/print Sierra Club reaches settlement with Beyond Coal target. The Sierra Club has withdrawn several lawsuits against the financially troubled power company Luminant after reaching a settlement over air quality concerns. The environmentalist group has also agreed not to sue Luminant, a subsidiary of the bankrupt Energy Future Holdings, for any air pollution that happened before 2015. http://www.eenews.net/energywire/stories/1060010828/print Supreme Court sets schedule for challenge to EPA mercury rule. The Supreme Court yesterday set the briefing schedule for the challenge to EPA's mercury and air toxics rules. Last month, the justices agreed to consider a case brought by the Utility Air Regulatory Group, National Mining Association, Michigan and other states seeking to overturn EPA's mercury rule, or MATS, one of the landmark regulations of President Obama's first term. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060010797/print EPA proposes new standards for brick, ceramics industries. U.S. EPA proposed new standards today for stemming hazardous air emissions from the brick and clay ceramics industries. As outlined in the Federal Register, the proposal would require manufacturers of bricks and clay ceramics to install controls to meet emission caps for mercury, non-mercury metals and acid gases. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060010784/print CLIMATE CHANGE NHL seeks to reduce its carbon footprint. The NHL has named Constellation as its preferred energy provider as the league seeks to offset its carbon footprint across all 30 team markets. Its goal is to reduce the NHL's environmental impact, and accelerate a greater movement toward a healthier planet. The NHL announced its partnership with Constellation, a leading competitive energy and services company, on Thursday. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HKN_NHL_CARBON_FOOTPRINT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT OTHER RELATED STORIES http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060010841/print White House Updates Draft Guidance on NEPA Greenhouse Gas Evaluations. Federal agencies should consider the climate impact of any action that would increase greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, the White House Council on Environmental Quality said in updated draft guidance. http://www.bna.com/white-house-updates-n17179921170/ White House Proposes Vetting Projects for Climate Change. Move Likely Would Affect Fossil-Fuel Operations the Most. The White House is calling on federal agencies to consider the climate-change impact of a wide range of energy projects that require government approval. The draft guidelines, released Thursday by the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality… http://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-proposes-vetting-projects-for-climate-change-1418949685 Report suggests forest-cutting can have an immediate effect on climate. The critical role that vast tropical forests like Brazil’s Amazon play in suppressing climate change is well-known: They store huge quantities of carbon, acting as “carbon sinks.” But as a new report out this week argues, scientists are making the case that cutting down these forests does more than simply release carbon into the atmosphere… http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/report-suggests-forest-cutting-can-have-an-immediate-effect-on-climate/2014/12/18/ba392600-86f6-11e4-abcf-5a3d7b3b20b8_story.html EPA chief: Extreme weather boosting climate-change plan. Extreme weather events from typhoons to heat waves are helping make the case to Americans on the need to address climate change, the head of the EPA says, although opposition from congressional Republicans to the Obama administration's ambitious plan remains unrelenting. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/12/18/usa-today-capital-download-epa-gina-mccarthy-climate-change/20548025/ A soft coral may withstand climate change, study shows. As the oceans absorb more carbon on a planet increasingly choked by greenhouse gases, scientists worry its reefs - the great storm-deflecting rampart for much of the tropics - will crumble and fall. But a study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and a team of international scientists has found that at least one soft coral, http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article4606663.html#storylink=cpy Marin climate change program puts face on sea-level rise. Marin project lets viewer assess flood risk from climate change. A high-tech project aimed at engaging residents in climate change issues by enabling them to visualize the changing landscape amid rising seas was launched this week at Marin Civic Center. http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_27157794/marin-climate-change-program-puts-face-sea-level Globe's CO2 emissions grow, but rate of growth falls while economic activities rise – study. Carbon dioxide emissions grew at a slower pace in 2013 than over the past decade, according to a new report. In 2012, the growth rate was 2 percent, down from the 3.8 percent average recorded over the past decade. The lower growth rate occurred at a time the global economy grew by 3.1 percent. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060010840/print DROUGHT Will the recent storms bust the drought? There is a 75 percent probability of average or above-average precipitation between January and the end of March for California, according to a new report by federal scientists — the first time in five years such a wet outlook has been predicted in the state during the first three months of a year. http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_27167261/will-recent-storms-bust-drought Big storms put dent in California drought. The drenching rain and heavy snow that lashed California last week put a dent in the state's historic drought, according to the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday. The percentage of the state in the worst drought category — "exceptional" drought — dropped from 55% of the state the previous week to 32% this week. http://www.desertsun.com/story/weather/2014/12/18/california-drought/20580023/ Heavy rains make strides in parched Calif. The second consecutive week of heavy rains in California did not solve the state's entrenched drought, but it did made a major dent in the hardest-hit parts of the state, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released this morning. Fifty-five percent of California registered in the worst category of drought last week, with that number now standing at 32 percent -- a 40 percent decrease. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060010788/print FUELS Flare At Richmond’s Chevron Refinery Visible For Miles, Puts Neighbors On Edge. A flare due to depressurizing equipment at the Chevron refinery in Richmond lit up the sky Thursday evening, causing a stir on social media. Chevron issued a statement Thursday night saying that the flare was routing, saying, “We had a process unit that needed to be depressurized, creating a visible flare. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/12/18/flare-at-richmonds-chevron-refinery-causes-stir/ VEHICLES California extends support for plug-in cars. California took new action Thursday to speed up the spread of plug-in electric vehicles, adding financial perks for car owners and inviting regulated utilities to invest in car charging infrastructure. The California Public Utilities Commission voted 5-0 on guidelines for new incentives for car buyers and first-time utility investments. In San Diego, the new electric-car incentive is likely to take the form of an annual credit against utility bills for customers who identify themselves as plug-in vehicle owners. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/dec/18/california-extends-support-electric-cars/ Dutch car tax regime leaves Germany far behind in curbing CO2 emissions. The Netherlands had the lowest CO2 emissions from new cars in the European Union last year, thanks to its tax regime favouring fuel economy and low-carbon vehicles. Germany and Poland are among the countries with the highest C02 emissions from new cars and the weakest national tax policies, a report by NGO Transport & Environment has found. http://www.euractiv.com/sections/transport/dutch-car-tax-regime-leaves-germany-far-behind-curbing-co2-emissions-310964 GREEN ENERGY Clean energy plan would bring new power lines to desert. For nearly six years, officials debated the best places to build renewable energy projects in the desert, culminating in a massive draft document known as the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. But it's still far from clear how that energy would be transmitted from the desert to the urban centers that need it most. http://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2014/12/18/desert-renewable-energy-plan-tranmission-lines/20587161/ Kenya to build Africa’s largest wind project. Kenya is planning to build the largest wind project on the continent of Africa. If the project delivers as promised, it would allow the country to spend less in fuel costs each year and allow its population more access to electricity. Kenya may soon be home to the largest wind project on the continent of Africa. Danish wind company Vestas won a contract to provide 365 turbines for a 310 megawatt wind power project in Kenya. http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/1218/Kenya-to-build-Africa-s-largest-wind-project OPINIONS Editorial: L.A.'s freeway-adjacent residents need more protection from pollution. A growing body of research shows that living next to a freeway can significantly increase the risk of asthma, heart disease, pre-term births, reduced lung function in children and premature death. Yet Los Angeles continues to approve residential developments next to freeways without imposing strong measures to protect the residents. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-freeway-adjacent-development-20141219-story.html Op-Ed: Flood, drought risks must be managed, with or without climate change. In one case a major metropolis was flooded within hours, leaving thousands homeless, millions without power, transportation and businesses shut down, and a mass human crisis. In the other case, three years of sunshine and blue skies have left water supplies at record lows, crops shriveled and, for the most unfortunate, taps dry. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-1219-sobel-calif-drought-hurricane-sandy-20141219-story.html Washington Post editorial: International climate agreement not enough. Lack of restrictions on nations a start, but more is needed. Ever since negotiators failed to agree on a climate accord in Copenhagen five years ago, diplomats have been trying for a big, international do-over. Talks in Lima, Peru, this month put this effort on track to conclude an agreement in Paris next year. http://cjonline.com/opinion/2014-12-19/washington-post-editorial-international-climate-agreement-not-enough Rain a ‘start’ for Calif., but drought entrenched. So there’s good news and there’s bad news on the California drought. The good news is that recent rain has finally started to chip away at the severe precipitation deficits the state is facing. The bad news is that most of California is still in a deep drought and it’s going to take a long time to fully recover. http://www.standard.net/National/2014/12/19/Rain-a-Start-for-Calif-But-Drought-Entrenched BLOGS U.S. Should Save Nuclear Industry From Fracking Peril: IEA. The United States needs to develop clear policies to support its ailing nuclear industry—which is prone to seeing old reactors close rather than new reactors open largely because of the impact on energy prices of cheap natural gas from fracking, the International Energy Agency said in a report released today. “The domestic nuclear industry is therefore at a critical juncture as a consequence of its declining economic competitiveness… http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2014/12/18/u-s-should-save-nuclear-industry-from-fracking-peril-iea/ Local Efforts Help Battle Global Climate Problem. Justin Catanoso explains to WFDD's Keri Brown how leaders around the world and in North Carolina are finding ways to reduce carbon emissions and fight global warming. In his column this week in the Triad Business Journal, Justin Catanoso offers some surprising insights about how cities can make a global impact when it comes to climate change. http://wfdd.org/post/local-efforts-help-battle-global-climate-problem It’s time countries took climate-linked migration seriously. Climate talks must take increased human mobility into account, argues the head of the International Organization for Migration. Key policy decisions on climate change must be considered as important migration policy decisions. http://www.rtcc.org/2014/12/19/its-time-countries-took-climate-linked-migration-seriously/#sthash.gQxktiPD.dpuf Climate Change Could Cause 18 Percent Drop In Food Production By 2050, Study Says. Global warming could cause an 18 percent drop in world food production by 2050, but investments in irrigation and infrastructure, and moving food output to different regions, could reduce the loss, a study published on Thursday said. Globally, irrigation systems should be expanded by more than 25 percent to cope with changing rainfall patterns… http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/18/climate-change-food-production_n_6349164.html 'Tipping points' for sea level rise related flooding determined. By 2050, a majority of U.S. coastal areas are likely to be threatened by 30 or more days of flooding each year due to dramatically accelerating impacts from sea level rise, according to a new NOAA study, published today in the American Geophysical Union's online peer-reviewed journal Earth's Future. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141218154554.htm BMW i3 REx: Road-Tripping With 72 Electric Miles, 1.9-Gallon Gas Tank. There are drivers who view the limited range of an electric car as a limitation--and those who view it as a challenge. Only with the latter attitude would one BMW i3 owner think to travel more than 400 miles in a car with 72 miles of electric range, assisted by a small gasoline range extender fed by a tiny fuel tank. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095982_bmw-i3-rex-road-tripping-with-72-electric-miles-1-9-gallon-gas-tank 2016 Toyota Mirai: First Drive Of Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Sedan. The 2016 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car will get a huge amount of promotion and attention from its maker, despite the very low numbers that will be built in its first years. In that respect, it's very similar to the first Toyota Prius hybrid back in 1997--a first sketch of what a future powertrain may promise. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095985_2016-toyota-mirai-first-drive-of-hydrogen-fuel-cell-sedan California to award up to $4M for projects to advanced smart charging and V2G technologies. The California Energy Commission has issued a solicitation (PON-14-310, Driving the Integration of Electric Vehicles to Maximize Benefits to the Grid) to fund Applied Research and Development projects that will advance technologies and strategies for smart and efficient charging and vehicle-to-grid communication interfaces that will provide maximum benefits to both the electricity grid and the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/12/20141219-cec.html California Urged To Stay The Course On Electric Cars, Help Owners Charge Cheaper. Gas prices are falling: Michigan has signs advertising regular at $1.99 per gallon. It's now below $3 a gallon even in California, which continues to be the focal point for electric-car adoption. Now an electric utility CEO has joined with an environmental advocate to urge that Californians stay the course in their adoption of plug-in electric vehicles. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095983_california-urged-to-stay-the-course-on-electric-cars-help-owners-charge-cheaper MHTL to partner with G2X, negotiate methanol offtake agreement from G2X methanol-to-gasoline plant. G2X Energy, Inc. and Methanol Holdings Trinidad Limited (MHTL) announced that MHTL intends to partner with G2X Energy to construct the world-scale methanol-to-gasoline (MTG)-ready, methanol production facility being developed by G2X Energy in Lake Charles, Louisiana. (Earlier post.) http://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/12/20141219-mhtl.html California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.