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ARB Newsclips for November 17, 2015. 

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.

AIR POLLUTION

EPA intends tougher downwind air-pollution rule in 23 states. The
Environmental Protection Agency wants to set tougher new limits
on smokestack emissions from nearly two dozen states that burden
downwind areas with air pollution from power plants they can't
control. At the same time, the EPA moved Tuesday to remove two
states —South Carolina and Florida — from the "good neighbor"
rules…
http://www.sacbee.com/news/article45228804.html#storylink=cpy 

Government accused of being 'in breach' of Supreme Court air
pollution ruling. 
Government failure to act 'immediately' to Supreme Court's April
ruling puts it in breach of legal decision, argues ClientEarth.
Environmental lawyers ClientEarth have accused the government of
being in breach of a Supreme Court order by failing to take swift
action to improve the UK's air quality.
http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2434935/government-accused-of-being-in-breach-of-supreme-court-air-pollution-ruling


EPA proposes updates to its cross-state rule. U.S. EPA today
released proposed updates to its Cross-State Air Pollution Rule,
intended to cut nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from power plants
in 23 Eastern states that contribute to downwind ozone air
quality problems. By reducing ozone pollution, "this update will
help protect the health and lives of millions of Americans," EPA
Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a news release.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028146 

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate activists want to march in Paris despite attacks.
Environmental activists said Monday that they want to go ahead
with plans to march in Paris before the U.N. climate summit later
this month, despite the attacks in the French capital. A
coalition of activist groups including Avaaz, Greenpeace and
350.org said that they intend to "hold all the mobilizations
currently planned…
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_PARIS_ATTACKS_CLIMATE_MARCH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Obama looks for late momentum on climate deal. With a high-stakes
deadline two weeks away, President Barack Obama hopes to build
momentum on Wednesday for a broad and potentially
legacy-burnishing global climate change agreement. At a meeting
of chief executives in this Southeast Asian capital, Obama was
expected to urge business leaders to reduce emissions in their
operations…
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_OBAMA_CLIMATE_ASOL-?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Report details impact of climate change in Puget Sound, sees more
flooding, rising sea levels. The Puget Sound region is projected
to face more intense flooding, rising sea levels, heavier
downpours and thinner winter snowpack as temperatures continue to
warm in coming decades, according to a report released Tuesday by
the University of Washington.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WA_PUGET_SOUND_CLIMATE_CHANGE_WAOL-?SITE=ILROR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#ixzz3rmDRnnfj


The hidden factor that could undermine U.S. plans to cut carbon
emissions. We tend to have a greatly oversimplified view of the
planet’s carbon problem — and therefore, of what we have to do to
solve it. The general notion is that it’s all about fossil fuels,
and so if we stop driving so much and using so much coal, we
solve climate change.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/11/16/the-hidden-factor-that-could-complicate-u-s-plans-to-cut-carbon-emissions/


Despite attacks, Brown will attend U.N. climate summit in Paris
next month. Gov. Jerry Brown is still planning to travel to Paris
next month for the highly anticipated United Nations summit on
climate change, which French leaders said will go on despite
Friday's terrorist attacks. "As long as events move forward, the
governor intends to participate," Evan Westrup, a spokesman for
Brown, said Monday.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-brown-climate-20151117-story.html


Paris climate deal meeting still on as Republican leaders
register opposition. Despite Friday’s horrific attacks, Obama and
other world leaders will attend talks in France, as Republicans
in Congress continue to fight Obama’s climate plan. The point
person behind Barack Obama’s environmental agenda has declared
Americans are fed up with climate change denial…
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/16/paris-climate-deal-meeting-still-on-despite-attacks-as-republican-leaders-register-opposition


Germany unites with Calif. in climate action pact. Germany and
regions within the country have signed onto the California-led
pact committing to actions aimed at keeping global warming's
temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius. The European nation has
joined the alliance known as "Under 2 MOU."
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028106 


Utility steps in to protect U.S. historic site, at a price. The
first English settlement in the United States could mostly drown
or wash away from sea-level rise, and while a power company wants
to help mitigate this, it would come at a price of installing
power lines. "The issue with Jamestown Island is the visual
aesthetics…
http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028068 

DROUGHT

El Niño could be the most powerful on record, scientists say. A
key location of the Pacific Ocean is now hotter than recorded in
at least 25 years, surpassing the temperatures during the record
1997 El Niño. Some scientists say their measurements show that
this year’s El Niño could be among the most powerful on record --
and even toppling the 1997 event from its pedestal.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-el-nino-temperatures-new-record-20151117-story.html
 

As huge El Niño brews, California fights to keep drought
mentality. As experts continue to predict a wet winter because of
El Niño, California officials continue to take a cautious
approach when it comes to easing water conservation measures amid
the state's four-year drought. Officials have long feared heavy
rains would reduce conservation by residents, even though a major
El Niño would not end the drought by a long shot.
http://www.latimes.com/local/weather/la-me-ln-as-huge-el-nino-brews-california-fights-to-keep-drought-mentality-20151116-story.html
 

El Niño prompts state of emergency. San Diego council makes
declaration to speed up flood preparation. Concerned that El Niño
rains might cause significant flooding this winter, the San Diego
City Council unanimously declared a local state of emergency on
Monday that could help accelerate clearing of clogged drainage
channels.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/nov/16/el-nino-winter-rains-preparation-drainage/


AUDIO: California’s vast water systems may not mesh with future
needs. For more than a century, California has relied on its
reservoirs, rivers and dams fed by snowmelt to provide the
majority of its water. The massive State Water Project and its
federal twin, the Central Valley Project exemplify that approach.
And as effective as all that concrete in dams and canals was in
the 20th Century, it might be the wrong idea…
http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=29451 

FUELS

Coal not going away anytime soon despite renewables push. Coal:
Can't live with it and can't live without it - at least not yet.
It is the biggest source of heat-trapping greenhouse gases that
negotiators around the world hope to limit in an agreement to be
thrashed out in Paris next month. Demand for coal is leveling
off, but it will remain a key energy source for decades…
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CLIMATE_COUNTDOWN_COALS_FUTURE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Manure from millions of hogs fuels natural gas project. One
recipe for renewable natural gas goes: Place manure from about 2
million hogs in lagoons, cover them with an impermeable material
and let it bake until gas from the manure rises. Then, use
special equipment to clean the gas of its impurities and ship the
finished product out. That's the vision of one of the largest
biogas projects of its kind in the U.S.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HOG_MANURE_BIOGAS_PROJECT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


No Keystone, No Problem: TransCanada Turns to Mexico Expansion.
Days after the U.S. spurned TransCanada Corp.’s proposal to
expand its Keystone pipeline network across North America, Mexico
opened its arms. TransCanada won the rights last week for its
sixth pipeline in Mexico, one of the company’s key targets for
growth.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-17/no-keystone-no-problem-transcanada-turns-to-mexico-expansion


Diesel prices down 2 cents. The average U.S. retail pump price
for diesel was down 2 cents in the Nov. 16 report by the Energy
Information Administration (EIA), to $2.482 per gallon. The price
is about $1.18 per gallon cheaper than this time last year.
Prices were down in every region of the country, paced by
California where the cost fell 3.4 cents to $2.769.
http://fleetowner.com/fuel/diesel-prices-down-2-cents 

Enormous Northwest refineries would feed China exclusively. 
China is seeking to tap the flood of cheap natural gas coming
from the interior of North America by converting it to methanol
at three huge refineries in Washington and Oregon. The processing
plants, collectively called Northwest Innovation Works, have
received little attention despite their head-snapping impact:
http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028071 

Biodiesel makers lobbying Hill to reinstate tax credit. Biodiesel
makers are pushing members of Congress this week to reinstate an
expired tax credit to produce the renewable fuel, a financial
support whose absence has hurt the domestic industry, according
to the National Biodiesel Board. Nearly 100 industry
representatives are meeting with lawmakers today to reinstate the
biodiesel tax…
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028134 

LA AUTO SHOW

2017 Ford Escape debuts ahead of the L.A. Auto Show. Ford isn't
one to wait, apparently. Two days before the 2015 L.A. Auto Show
media preview, the Dearborn-based automaker opted to unveil the
newest version of its popular Escape crossover.
Wearing a new familial face to bring it into line with larger
sport-utes, like the Explorer and Edge, the new Escape places a
premium on fuel economy and safety features.
http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/news/la-auto-show-2017-ford-escape-breaks-cover-article-1.2437467

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2015/1117/Ford-unveils-2017-Escape-crossover-at-Los-Angeles-Auto-Show


L.A. Auto Show: New VW plug-in hybrid could make diesel drivers
happy, if it gets to market. VW’s Golf onslaught continues.
Already, the German automaker’s hatchback is available in gas,
all-electric and, as VW would rather us forget, diesel versions.
At this week’s L.A. Auto Show, it will show a sporty plug-in
hybrid with such impressive performance figures and truly low
emissions that it might be a worthy substitute for VW’s diesel
devotees.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/gte-692350-electric-sport.html


VW RECALL

VW sales dip in Europe, but no more than competitors. European
car buyers appear reluctant to punish Volkswagen for its
emissions scandal, penalizing the German automaker's sales last
month no more than some of its mass-market competitors. The
European car market expanded 2.9 percent in October, topping 1.1
million units as growth slowed in all major markets…
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_EUROPE_CAR_SALES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Washington Takes Legal Action Over Volkswagen's Diesel Pollution.
Washington is taking legal action against Volkswagen in the wake
of a diesel vehicle scandal. Back in September, Volkswagen
admitted to installing special software in some of its diesel
vehicles, causing them to give false readings during pre-sale air
quality tests. 
http://www.opb.org/news/article/washington-announces-action-against-volkswagen-over-diesel-emissions/


Volkswagen Emissions Scandal: VW, Audi Executives To Meet US
Regulators Ahead Of Deadline As Crisis Deepens. Volkswagen and
Audi executives are expected to meet U.S. environmental
regulators this week ahead of a deadline to submit a plan to fix
nearly 500,000 diesel cars that are equipped with the rigged
emissions software, sources told Reuters Monday.
http://www.ibtimes.com/volkswagen-emissions-scandal-vw-audi-executives-meet-us-regulators-ahead-deadline-2187446

VW Diesel Ad Pledges It's 'Working To Make Things Right. While
U.S. recalls of diesel cars fitted with "defeat device" software
still haven't been announced, Volkswagen has begun the process of
trying to market its way out of the current emissions scandal. It
placed a series of full-page ads in U.S. newspapers Sunday
declaring its good intentions, and plugging a customer goodwill
program.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100985_vw-diesel-ad-pledges-its-working-to-make-things-right


GREEN ENERGY

Dominion Energy acquires solar project in Accomack County.  An
80-megawatt solar energy project in Accomack County has been
acquired by Dominion Energy. Dominion Energy says the Amazon
Solar Farm U.S. East will provide power to Amazon Web Services.
The project also has secured interconnection agreements with
Delmarva Power.
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/business/article45163716.html#storylink=cpy


Mexico moves to elevate its global energy status. Mexico is
seeking to join the ranks of the world's largest energy
importers. It's a slightly unusual development as Mexico is still
a net energy exporter, primarily of crude oil. But Mexico's
overall energy consumption is rising and its energy imports are
growing. Its energy trade with the United States is diversifying,
as well, as Mexico…
http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028083 

Solar lamps and clean cookstoves for refugees could ease cost and
emissions.  Away from the media glare focused on the European
migrant crisis, most of the nearly 60 million forcibly displaced
refugees in the world today live in the shadows, without proper
access to the basic necessities of life, including energy.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028105 

EPA climate rule could boost solar, wind in Ariz. – study. A new
study says Arizona could meet carbon-cutting goals in U.S. EPA's
Clean Power Plan simply by developing the state's abundant and
already available solar and wind power resources over the next 15
years.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028135 

MISCELLANEOUS

Lumber Liquidators tightens vinyl flooring standards. Retailer
Lumber Liquidators Inc. will stop selling vinyl flooring made
with reprocessed plastic and will limit its lead content, the
company and advocacy groups said today. The company, which worked
with Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and its Mind the Store
campaign, said it would be the first major retailer to phase out
the use of reprocessed plastic in vinyl flooring. 
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/11/17/stories/1060028141 

OPINIONS

Gambling the World Economy on Climate. The emission-cut pledges
will cost $1 trillion a year and avert warming of less than one
degree by 2100. The United Nations climate conference in Paris
starting Nov. 30 will get under way when most minds in the French
capital will still understandably be on the recent terror
attacks.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/gambling-the-world-economy-on-climate-1447719037?alg=y


Seyed Sadredin: Wood smoke can make Valley air dangerous to
breathe. The Valley Air District’s mission is to improve the
health and quality of life for all Valley residents through
efficient, effective and entrepreneurial air quality management
strategies. We do this through regulations designed to protect
public health, through public education to empower Valley
residents…
http://www.modbee.com/opinion/article45227706.html#storylink=cpy


When Will We Start To See 'Tailpipes' On Cars As Morally Wrong?
The economists call them "externalities." They're the costs of
people's actions on other people or communities--but the people
taking those actions don't have to pay for those costs, even
though they harm others. And the emissions from combusting fossil
fuels are clearly a prime example.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1101015_when-will-we-start-to-see-tailpipes-on-cars-as-morally-wrong


BLOGS

The Environmental Failure of ‘Green’ Schools. TODD MYERS: In the
name of energy efficiency, school districts across the country
are building new schools to “green” building standards that
promoters promise will deliver huge energy savings. The most
prominent system, known as LEED for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design, promises energy savings and environmental
benefit. The record, however, is different.
http://blogs.wsj.com/experts/2015/11/17/the-environmental-failure-of-green-schools/


This Coal Mine Could Create More CO2 Emissions Than Entire
Countries. Australia’s Carmichael coal mine project has been
under major scrutiny by large conservation groups and prominent
Australians for months. Now, progressive think tank the Australia
Institute has found just how damaging the emissions from burning
coal at the mine could really be.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/11/16/3722647/single-coal-mine-create-co2-emissions-entire-countries/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20climateprogress/lCrX%20%28Climate%20Progress%29


California hoping for a snowier ski season this year. Forecasters
are hoping that a strong El Nino winter will bring above-average
precipitation to California this season.
Some ski resorts already opened after fresh powder blanketed
parts of the Sierra following a winter-like storm in early
November. The wet weather did not end the state's four-year
drought…
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/California-hoping-for-a-snowier-ski-season-this-year-351081541.html


CIA Director Delivers Some Blunt Talk About....Climate Change I
don't happen to think that a concern over a massive program of
warrantless domestic surveillance is "handwringing," but OK.
That's Brennan's opinion. However, for all the people pointing to
Brennan as a voice of authority for his blunt talk about
surveillance, how about if we also pay attention to his blunt
talk about climate change?
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/11/cia-director-delivers-some-blunt-talk-aboutclimate-change




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