What's New List Serve Post Display

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This is a service of the California Air Resources Board’s Office
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individual websites to view some of the following news articles.

CAP AND TRADE

Biothermica : First carbon credit sale completed by a Quebec
company on the California carbon market. Biothermica, a Montreal
company, announced the first sale of 80,766 tons of carbon
credits, valued to 860,000$CDN, on the regulated
Quebec-California market. This company also foresees significant
financial benefits in the coming years thanks to the technology
it has developed to generate these credits.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biothermica--first-carbon-credit-sale-completed-by-a-quebec-company-on-the-california-carbon-market-296542161.html


AIR POLLUTION

AIR POLLUTION: EPA urged to withdraw new transportation emissions
model. Two states and two pro-ethanol organizations have
petitioned U.S. EPA over what they call a "defective" model for
determining ethanol's air pollution contribution. In their
petition, Kansas, Nebraska, the Energy Future Coalition and the
Urban Air Initiative say that the MOVES2014 model released in
October incorrectly attributes harmful air emissions to ethanol
in petroleum gasoline.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060015117/feed

AIR POLLUTION: House Science panel to examine EPA ozone proposal.
he House Science, Space and Technology Committee this week will
take up U.S. EPA's proposal to toughen the national ozone
standard. Tomorrow, the committee will hear from a panel of
witnesses representing business and the medical and air quality
research communities. A California regulator is also scheduled to
testify.
http://www.eenews.net/eedaily/stories/1060015078/feed 

Indiana joins 10 states in opposing tougher EPA ozone
limits.	...in opposing the federal government's proposed more
protective standards for smog-forming pollution linked to asthma
and respiratory illnesses....	
Researchers find a new way to clear the air	In 1999, then-Chinese
Premier Zhu Rongji said that Beijing's pall of smog "would
shorten my life at least five years," a hazard level
scientists...	
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article14552981.html

Researchers link PM2.5 pollution to stroke-related narrowing of
arteries.	Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center have linked
fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution to a dangerous
narrowing of neck arteries...	
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/03/20150316-pm25.html

Air pollution mandate change for NC fracking signed into
law.	...Environmental legislation that gives leeway to a North
Carolina state panel in creating air pollution rules for fracking
has been signed into law by Gov....	
Lawsuit against Muncie lead smelter settled	...Agency says Exide
Technologies has agreed to settle a lawsuit that alleged Clean
Air Act regulations were violated by the company's Muncie...	
http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/03/16/4430974/lawsuit-against-muncie-lead-smelter.html

In Texas, Environmental Officials Align With Polluters.  The
testimony sounds the refrains of industry groups: Tightening the
country’s smog standard would be too costly, and it isn’t
necessary for public health. But these comments weren’t from
industry. They were written by the chair of the Texas agency
responsible for environmental protection.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/20150317-ozone-air-pollution-clean-air-act-smog-texas-houston-dallas/
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/03/17/16874/texas-aligns-itself-industry-fight-against-tighter-smog-standards

CLIMATE CHANGE	

CLIMATE: Liberal legal icon Tribe to discuss EPA rule with House
subcommittee. 	...U.S. EPA's Clean Power Rule -- will discuss
legal problems he sees with the climate change proposal with
House lawmakers tomorrow.	
http://news.vocus.com/?a=20742272291&p=19f&v=1&x=Fp4ty_kXjca7N-sEfT6PGA

Could Absolute Consensus on Global Warming Come in a
Suitcase?	...has big plans for her portable instrument that
measures carbon dioxide and methane from the ground to four miles
into the sky.    NASA scientist Emily...	
http://insideclimatenews.org/news/16032015/could-absolute-consensus-global-warming-come-suitcase

Harvard's president speaks at China's prestigious Tsinghua
University about climate change.	...March 17, 2015. Faust spoke
on the role universities can play in addressing climate change
and other environmental issues. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)...	
http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/03/17/harvards-president-speaks-in-china-about-climate-change

Study suggests that key glacier of East Antarctica is melting
from beneath. 	...great ice sheet of West Antarctica, and thus
set in motion more than 10 feet of sea level rise. Meanwhile,
2015 could be the year of the double...	
http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/world/article14770529.html

Vanuatu president speaks of devastation from Cyclone Pam.
	...including earthquakes, volcanoes, extreme weather and sea
level rises due to climate change. Do you see the impact of
climate change...	
http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/article14538719.html

The New Optimism of Al Gore. He is pleased to see the Obama
administration becoming more active on climate issues. President
Obama’s advocacy of climate change action was overshadowed by the
push for health care legislation, a disappointment for Mr. Gore
and other environmentalists. “He did not use the bully pulpit in
quite the way many of us would have wanted in his first term,”
Mr. Gore says.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/science/the-new-optimism-of-al-gore.html?ref=earth

Republicans Push Climate Change Cuts at CIA, Defense Department.
If Republicans get their way, the CIA and the Defense Department
could soon have a lot less cash for climate research. The House
GOP budget unveiled on Tuesday calls for cuts to CIA and DOD
programs devoted to the study of global warming, despite the fact
that the military has identified climate change as a major
national security threat and a key priority.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/republicans-push-climate-change-cuts-at-cia-department-of-defense-20150317

FUELS

Experts: Lower gas prices on the horizon.	...a Tesoro refinery in
Martinez. “Both of these put a limit on the supply of gasoline,
and that's why gasoline prices started rising,” Adibi said....	
http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/03/16/gas-prices-dropping-summer/24875551/

Fatty acid esters can improve cetane number of diesel from direct
coal liquefaction.	...Technology report that fatty acid esters
can be used as cetane improvers for diesel fuel produced via
direct coal liquefaction (DCL). A paper...	
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/03/20150315-cn.html

GASOLINE PRICES: State average settles down to $3.37.	 ...   The
state, however, is still paying the highest price in the nation
for gasoline, $3.37 a gallon, according to a Monday press release
from AAA....	
http://www.pe.com/articles/price-762488-gallon-gasoline.html


DROUGHT


In Lake Tahoe, drought threatens winter, way of life.	...launch.
Jumping off the end of a pier could result in a rock-hard
landing. California's epic drought, entering its perilous fourth
year, has...	
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/environment-and-nature/20150316/in-lake-tahoe-drought-threatens-winter-way-of-life

Despite drought, Bay Area salmon fishermen see hope for 2015
season.	...hatcheries. The estimate for the Sacramento River, the
top spawning ground in California, was relatively robust,
considering the state's three-year drought....	
http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica/ci_27591929/despite-00004000drought-bay-area-salmon-fishermen-see-hope

Earth Log: State water officials will be here to talk about this
ugly drought.	State officials will be in Fresno on Thursday to
tell the public how dire California's four-year drought has
become. The topics in the briefing...	
http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/03/16/4430097/earth-log-state-water-officials.html

Endangered Delta Smelt May Be Extinct. ...population of Delta
smelt has been declining for the last 30 years but the drought
may have pushed the species to the point of no return. If the
smelt...
http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/03/16/endangered-delta-smelt-may-be-extinct/

Water agencies, Agua Caliente tribe face off in court.	...2015   
Cracks spread across the dry bed of percolation pond one, a sign
of California's drought, as seen at the Whitewater Groundwater
Replenishment...	
http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2015/03/16/water-agencies-agua-caliente-tribe-face-court/24874213/

Another year of water restrictions likely in dry
California.	SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California residents are
facing another year of water restrictions and...	
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_27726444/another-year-water-restrictions-likely-dry-california

California considers sweeping water restrictions,
rations.	...mandates on landscape irrigation Tuesday that could
limit water usage for most California homes and businesses to
only a few days of the week. If approved,...	
http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/03/16/california-considers-sweeping-water-restrictions-rations/24875207/

New report criticizes California's drought planning.	California
needs better water-use data, clearer priorities and better
drought-management...	
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_27725049/new-report-criticizes-california-x2019-s-drought-planning

State backs Salinas Valley well monitoring.	...levels to a
centralized, public database that many consider key to monitoring
California's groundwater as the state enters its fourth year of
drought....	
http://www.montereyherald.com/environment-and-nature/20150316/state-backs-salinas-valley-well-monitoring

VEHICLES

Postal Service looks to improve on 9 miles per gallon in mail
trucks. 
http://phys.org/news/2015-03-postal-miles-gallon-mail-trucks.html

GREEN ENERGY

California could power itself three to five times over with
solar. Deserts and remote fields are popular spots for building
vast arrays of solar panels, which generate dramatically more
energy than individual homeowner rooftop installations. These
areas are rich in sunlight while offering plenty of clear, flat
land to work with. But what if we didn’t always have to go all
the way out to these remote and potentially ecologically fragile
areas? 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/03/17/california-could-power-itself-three-to-five-times-over-with-solar/

Assemblyman Garcia appointed to six select
committees.	...California, Workforce and Vocational Development,
Civic Engagement and the Renewable Energy Development &
Restoration of Salton Sea select committees,...	
http://news.vocus.com/?a=20750695816&p=19f&v=1&x=B70ACchbelTCDpQq8B-2Uw

Carbondale City Council to vote on proposed solar
project.	CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - The Carbondale City Council is
ready to vote on a proposed solar power project at a former wood
treatment plant.    The Southern...	
Critics Question Salt River Project's Solar-Energy Payments in
Arizona	...fees to solar customers accused the public utility of
"profiting" from the solar power it gets from rooftops and sells
to other customers. ...	
http://insideclimatenews.org/todaysnews/16032015/critics-question-salt-river-projects-solar-energy-payments-arizona

SolarCity launches community microgrids with Tesla
batteries.	...Motors batteries to store the energy generated.
While the owner can tap the solar power for daily use, the main
purpose is to maintain electricity...	
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27720343/solarcity-l00004000aunches-microgrids-tesla-batteries-protect-communities-from?source=most_viewed

Toyota Mirai Fuel-Cell Car To Get Global Showcase At 2020
Olympics.	The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are set to become a global
showcase for hydrogen fuel-cell cars. Japan is already planning
to use the games as an...	
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097246_toyota-mirai-fuel-cell-car-to-get-global-showcase-at-2020-olympics

OPINION

ANNE STECKEL: Without fuels standard, biodiesel industry faces
uncertain future.	The large-scale production of domestic
biodiesel should be something President Barack Obama strongly
supports,...	
http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/opinion/hot-topics/x1624303135/Without-fuels-standard-biodiesel-industry-faces-uncertain-future

Workers support a cleaner, richer future with California's clean
energy law: Guest commentary	. ...which we live and work.    That
is why we want to see California's pioneering climate change and
clean energy law extended beyond 2020. In the...	
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinion/20150316/workers-support-a-cleaner-richer-future-with-californias-clean-energy-law-guest-commentary

Stronger ozone standards are more than a moral and legal
imperative.	Decades after scientists described the ways in which
air pollution scars and shrivels young lungs, groundbreaking
research...	
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-ozone-20150316-story.html

Commentary: Good News Coming? You should hear some important news
this month, and it might eventually save you a buck. A year ago,
President Obama decreed that a new set of rules regarding
greenhouse-gas emissions and fuel economy should be proposed, as
of this month, covering medium- and heavy-duty trucks built in
2020 and beyond. 
http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/fuel-smarts/article/story/2015/03/commentary-good-news-coming.aspx

Water limits may put damper on commercial car washes.
	...officials will consider expanding water restrictions for
homes and businesses as California deals with a fourth straight
year of drought. The mandates...	 With reservoirs depleted, Water
Resources Control Board must restrict water use	Amid the worst
drought in at least a generation, and possibly the worst in
modern California...	
http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article14697743.html

BLOGS

This viral documentary could actually push China to clean up its
act.	...went viral in China earlier this month, highlighting the
scourge of rampant pollution in the country. A few days after its
release, the
government...	http://grist.org/news/this-viral-documentary-could-actually-force-china-to-clean-up-its-act/

California Weighs New Water Conservation Rules as Devastating
Drought Persists.	...requested — with a $500 fine for violations.
This is the fourth year in a row that California faces a	
http://blogs.kqed.org/feeds/2015/03/17/california-weighs-new-water-conservation-rules-as-devastating-drought-persists/

What’s the Best Path to a Sustainable Future?  As we face the
consequences of a changing climate, many people wonder how we can
most effectively change the consumptive habits of U.S. citizens.
The government has the ability to implement taxes and regulations
that put restrictions on carbon emissions, and to provide
subsidies to companies in order to make environmentally friendly
options cheaper and more lucrative. However, with a gridlocked
Congress and slow administrative progress, is it more effective
to change people’s behavior and attitudes or affect change
through government action?
http://blogs.kqed.org/education/2015/03/17/whats-the-best-path-to-a-sustainable-future/

USDA Staff Meets with Producers, Partners on Ways to Store
Carbon.  Staff from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) from Washington, D.C. and Portland, Oregon visited
California recently to meet with state officials and farmers and
ranchers to discuss how farms and ranches can store carbon,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and potentially benefit
financially by providing greenhouse gas offsets under
California’s cap-and-trade program. 
http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/03/17/usda-staff-meets-with-producers-partners-on-ways-to-store-carbon/#sthash.wBwZvtHz.dpuf




California is in a drought emergency.
Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.