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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for January 12, 2016.
Posted: 12 Jan 2016 12:55:18
ARB Newsclips for January 12, 2016. 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 ADB says global carbon trade could help Southeast Asia. A global carbon trading market could boost Southeast Asia's efforts to combat climate change, the Asian Development Bank said on Monday. The region had the fastest growth in carbon dioxide emissions in the world from 1990 to 2010, and will continue to rely mainly on coal-fired plants for its power needs… http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL3N14V2KQ20160111 Calif. holding 'very preliminary' carbon market talks with N.Y. California Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols yesterday said her state is in "very preliminary" talks with New York to explore the possibility of linking carbon markets. The idea of linking California's cap-and-trade system with New York's was first proposed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) late last year. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/01/12/stories/1060030445 AIR POLLUTION Shareholders’ Bids for Action on Methane Emissions Climbing. At least 21 U.S. oil and gas companies already face shareholder resolutions on environmental and social policies this year as investors raise concerns about how businesses are tackling climate change and pollution. Investors increasingly are pushing for action on methane, a powerful heat-trapping gas that contributes to climate change… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/shareholders-bids-for-action-on-methane-emissions-climbing India Will Stick to its New Emission Rule Deadline, Gadkari Says. India reiterated it will bring forward stricter standards governing vehicle emissions by four years despite protests by carmakers that the skipping of an intermediate step disrupts their product development plans. The government is not reconsidering its decision, Nitin Gadkari, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/india-will-stick-to-its-new-emission-rule-deadline-gadkari-says Delhi’s drastic scheme to clean up its air could actually be working — maybe. The High Court in India’s capital said Monday it would not stop the city’s alternate-day driving trial, giving a boost to the 15-day program officials hope will curb some of worst urban air pollution in the world. The court had reviewed several public interest petitions that had challenged the program… https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/delhis-drastic-scheme-to-clean-up-its-air-could-actually-be-working--maybe/2016/01/11/b1ae9c36-b607-11e5-8abc-d09392edc612_story.html Air quality flag hopes to bring awareness to Imperial. Air pollution has become a huge topic in today’s society. The Imperial Valley has some of the worst air quality and many residents do not know about it. According to Respira Sano, an asthma education group, “Approximately 23,000 children and adults have been diagnosed with asthma.” http://www.ivpressonline.com/news/local/air-quality-flag-hopes-to-bring-awareness-to-imperial/article_c0e10d50-b7f2-11e5-ab80-1f2076017ac2.html CLIMATE CHANGE Drivers May Pay for Next Step in Fight Against Climate Change. U.S. drivers may soon see a new expense at some gas pumps: the cost of taking the global-warming fight on the road. New York and four other states are exploring ways to put a price on the air pollution spewing from cars, trucks, trains and other vehicles -- the source of more than a third of greenhouse-gas emissions in the northeastern U.S. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/drivers-may-pay-for-next-step-in-fight-against-air-pollution Climate change means more fear, less fun for global middle class – UBS. The erosion of wealth among the world's middle class due to climate change is a threat to economic and social stability which could spur its 1 billion members to push for action on global warming, Swiss bank UBS Group AG said. http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL8N14V22J20160111 Are giant icebergs fighting climate change? Scientists study the impact of iceberg meltwater on the carbon-sequestering phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean. All else being equal, global warming means more giant icebergs breaking off Antarctica and sliding into the ocean. http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0111/Are-giant-icebergs-fighting-climate-change Most oil majors still mum on Paris climate pact. Many of the world's major oil and gas companies are still grappling with how to respond to the international climate change agreement that 195 nations struck in Paris last month, interviews with several industry officials revealed. Asked to discuss the U.N. deal to slash global greenhouse gas emissions… http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/01/11/stories/1060030392 Advocates press economic case for climate action. Climate advocates are urging President Obama to use his final State of the Union address today to make a strong economic case for renewable energy amid Republican criticism of the administration's climate agenda. http://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2016/01/12/stories/1060030454 Obama looks to the future on climate. Don't expect big proposals tonight. In past State of the Union addresses, President Obama floated a clean energy standard, pushed Congress unsuccessfully to act on climate change and signaled to the nation the start of an executive agenda to reduce carbon emissions. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/01/12/stories/1060030463 DROUGHT El Nino and drought take a toll on Zimbabwe's cattle. Justin Dlomo watches his small herd of emaciated cattle scrounge for bits of dry grass with a growing sense of dread. "I don't even know what to do anymore," he says. Worsening drought in Zimbabwe has dried up water holes, crops and pasture, leaving farmers like 56-year-old Dlomo, who lives about 120 kilometres north of Bulawayo… http://www.reuters.com/article/zimbabwe-drought-cattle-idUSL8N14U0W820160112 South Africa May Need About $1.2 Billion to Import Corn Needed. South Africa, the continent’s largest producer of corn, may have to pay as much as $1.2 billion for imports of the grain this season as an El Nino-induced drought damages crops in the nation’s main producing areas. It would cost 17 billion rand ($1 billion) to 20 billion rand to import 5 million tons of corn… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/south-africa-may-need-about-1-2-billion-to-import-corn-needed As rain pummels California, some see a way to fight drought. Much of the torrential rain that fell on Southern California last week flowed right into the ocean, just as downpours did before the state’s epic drought. That approach once seemed like a good idea, as storm drains provided a defense against flooding. But with California entering what may be a fifth year of drought… https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/yes-california-got-rain-but-much-of-it-was-funneled-into-the-ocean/2016/01/11/035261ca-b627-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html Despite recent rain, drought not over in Sonoma County. A parade of storms have steadily marched through Sonoma County this winter, transforming its brown, drought-parched hills into vales of vibrant green. But looks can be deceiving. Despite the recent storms, which dropped nearly 4 inches of rain on Santa Rosa last week alone, rainfall totals on the North Coast still trail levels from a year ago. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/5055391-181/despite-recent-rain-drought-not Rainstorms, tides and El Niño are reshaping Monterey Bay beaches. Carmel - Just as big waves wash away carefully constructed sand castles, El Niño threatens to transform Monterey County beaches and coastlines. Every winter rainy season brings storms and heavy surf that erode shores and wash away sand, which waves return to the coast in summer. http://www.insidebayarea.com/california/ci_29374297/rainstorms-tides-and-el-nino-are-reshaping-monterey What Does El Niño Precipitation Mean For California Drought? The drought in California has been going on for five years now. But if you've turned on the TV recently, or, for that matter, if you live in California, you may have noticed it's raining there - a lot. The storms this past week are fueled by an El Nino, which is essentially a temperature change in the Pacific… http://www.npr.org/2016/01/10/462555670/what-does-el-ni-o-precipitation-mean-for-california-drought FUELS With $1.68-a-Gallon Gas, America's Big MPG Goals Are in Trouble. In private meetings late last year, U.S. regulators and automakers staked out preliminary -- and opposing -- positions in a debate about the companies’ ability to boost fuel economy 50 percent to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The manufacturers’ message was simple: Improvements to gasoline engines, including direct-injection and turbocharging… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/automakers-regulators-debate-fuel-economy-as-gas-prices-fall UPDATE 2-Lack of methane emission reporting poses investor risk -green group. Fewer than one-third of oil and gas companies report their emissions of powerful greenhouse gas methane through voluntary, publicly available sources, posing a risk to their investors, said a new report released on Monday. Green group Environmental Defense Fund said that of the 65 largest U.S. oil and gas producers… http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL2N14V0PR20160111 Lawmaker seeks closure of older Aliso Canyon gas wells until they're inspected. Older natural gas wells operated by Southern California Gas Co. at Aliso Canyon should be shut down until state officials and an outside agency can verify that they do not pose a risk to public health, a state senator said Monday. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-porter-ranch-bills-20160111-story.html California Residents Fear Long-Term Impact of Gas Leak. Porter Ranch Estates sit at the foothills near a Southern California Gas Co. gas well that has been leaking methane daily near the community Porter Ranch, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency over the massive natural-gas… http://time.com/4173516/california-gas-leak-resident-reaction/ Calif. Lawmakers Rush to Address Methane Leak's Dangers. Several proposed bills address the climate and health impacts of the methane leak in Aliso Canyon. A bipartisan coalition of California state senators introduced wide-ranging legislation to address health and environmental concerns from a massive, ongoing natural gas leak in Los Angeles. http://insideclimatenews.org/news/12012016/california-methane-leak-aliso-canyon-natural-gas-legislation-climate-change-public-health Powertech’s H2 fueling station increases number of fills. British Columbia—based Powertech Labs’ hydrogen fueling station, located onsite at the company’s headquarters, has increased the number of vehicles that it services. The station, the only 70 MPa fast-fill hydrogen fueling station in Canada, currently meets the fueling needs for Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai fuel cell electric vehicles, with a total of 9 vehicles using the station. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/01/20160111-powertech.html Aliso Canyon methane leak emissions sky-high. A UC Davis scientist flying in a pollution-detecting airplane provided the first, and so far only, estimates of methane emissions spewing from the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility in Southern California since the leak began on October 23, 2015. Those estimates were provided to the California Air Resources Board in November. http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php/news/california-news/7228-aliso-canyon-methane-leak-emissions-sky-high.html VEHICLES Marchionne Says Alternative Vehicles Still Not Really Economical. Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, said he won’t lose money on a new hybrid minivan, even though such electric-drive powertrains still cost too much. Electrified vehicles, like the plug-in hybrid minivan that will be rated at the equivalent of 80 miles per gallon, are technically possible… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/marchionne-says-alternative-vehicles-still-not-really-economical Nevs says inks framework deal for 20,000 electric cars with Volinco. Nevs, the China-focused consortium that bought bankrupt Swedish carmaker Saab, said on Tuesday it had signed a framework deal worth about 8.5 billion crowns ($996 million) with China Volant Industry Co. (Volinco) for 20,000 electric cars. National Electric Vehicle Sweden (Nevs) spokesman Mikael Ostlund said a firm order for its electric car… http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nevs-agreement-volinco-idUSKCN0UQ1G620160112?feedType=RSS&feedName=innovationNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+news%2Fdeals+%28Reuters+Deals+News%29 Chevy reveals Bolt EV battery size at Detroit auto show. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is powered by a 60-kilowatt lithium-ion battery pack featuring 288 cells and can travel from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than seven seconds, General Motors Co. said Monday at the Detroit auto show. While the General Motors Co. brand revealed the battery size… http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/detroit-auto-show/2016/01/10/naias-chevrolet-detroit-auto-show/78620066/ http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1101775_2017-chevrolet-bolt-ev-specs-released-battery-pack-motor-power-and-more Can Chevy Bolt turn tide for electric vehicles? A 200-mile range from a quicker single charge are major selling points for the the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, which General Motors hopes can give it a leg up in a market of stagnant or falling gas prices. The Bolt, which debuted Monday at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, will go into production late this year at GM's Orion assembly plant. http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2016/01/11/naias-chevy-bolt-turn-tide-electric-vehicles/78592500/ Cool Electric Cars And The Vinyl Revival. General Motors’ new electric car gets 200 miles on a single charge, has full access to both Google and Apple infotainment and navigation systems and can be a giant WiFi hub. Pretty great, right? It’s no wonder GM’s CEO is calling Volt a platform, not just a car … http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmarkman/2016/01/10/cool-electric-cars-and-the-vinyl-revival/ Tesla Boss Elon Musk Says Apple's Electric Car is 'Open Secret'. Apple’s plan to launch an autonomous electric car is an “open secret,” according to Tesla boss Elon Musk. Speaking with the BBC, Musk said he welcomed the arrival of an Apple car despite the competition it would pose to Tesla’s own electric cars.There has been speculation in the automotive industry about the development of an Apple car for a while now… http://europe.newsweek.com/tesla-boss-elon-musk-says-apples-electric-car-open-secret-414359?rm=eu VW RECALL California regulators reject Volkswagen recall plan. California regulators said Tuesday they have rejected Volkswagen's recall plan for some of its most popular diesel models, including the Passat and the Jetta, that used software to intentionally deceive government emissions tests. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/volkswagen-1.3400014 Swedish prosecutors launch Volkswagen emissions probe. Swedish prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation related to the emissions scandal at German automaker Volkswagen. Anti-corruption prosecutor Alf Johansson said Tuesday the investigation focuses on preliminary charges of fraud and using false documents. If found guilty, Volkswagen could face corporate fines. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SWEDEN_VOLKSWAGEN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#68fd10ab-bf3c-4614-813a-9b698cc663ce OTHER RELATED STORIES http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/Swedish-prosecutors-launch-Volkswagen-emissions-6752687.php Volkswagen says to continue discussions with EPA on Wednesday. Volkswagen will continue talks with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday, it said, after California rejected its plan to fix 2.0 litre diesel cars with software that allows them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable pollution. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said VW's proposed fix was not adequate or fast enough… http://www.reuters.com/article/volkswagen-emissions-carb-idUSFWN14W03720160112 http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/12/462805477/environmental-agencies-reject-vws-plan-for-recall-over-emissions?sc=nd U.S. Seeks Assistance in VW Probe From German Prosecutors. The U.S. formally asked German prosecutors to share evidence in the investigation of Volkswagen AG as officials around the globe work to coordinate dozens of probes into the company’s emissions scandal. Officials from Germany and the U.S. had an initial meeting in Berlin to discuss how to work together… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/u-s-seeks-legal-assistance-in-vw-probe-from-german-prosecutors-ijbibq5t VW CEO Flubs Interview With Apology Tour Off to Rocky Start. Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller is struggling to find the right tone on his first official U.S. visit, where he’s under pressure to placate lawmakers and regulators to emerge from the emissions-cheating scandal. In an interview with National Public Radio at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/vw-ceo-flubs-interview-with-u-s-apology-tour-off-to-rocky-start VW Cheating Cases Judge Picks Ex-FBI Chief to Aid Settlement. Former FBI chief Robert Mueller has been picked by a federal judge to to help steer Volkswagen AG toward a settlement with car owners suing it for rigging its emissions-testing software. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco said he will give lawyers for consumers and the carmaker… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/vw-cheating-suits-judge-picks-ex-fbi-chief-to-aid-settlement VW's CEO to Meet With U.S. Lawmakers During Washington Visit. Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller is scheduled to discuss the automaker’s diesel emissions scandal with U.S. lawmakers Wednesday, the same day he will meet with the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/vw-s-ceo-to-meet-with-u-s-lawmakers-during-washington-visit VW Taps $1.13 Billion Scania Payout as Cash Needed Amid Scandal. Volkswagen AG raised 9.6 billion kronor ($1.13 billion) from Swedish truck division Scania in 2015, equivalent to three years of dividends from the unit, as the German carmaker seeks cash to pay for billions of euros in costs to resolve an emissions-rigging scandal. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/vw-taps-1-13-billion-scania-payout-as-cash-needed-amid-scandal Ex-politician John Edwards among lawyers vying for lead role in Volkswagen suit. Among the more than 140 plaintiffs' lawyers competing to lead private litigation against Volkswagen over its emissions cheating scandal is former U.S. Senator and Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate John Edwards. Edwards, who was a trial lawyer in North Carolina before his political career… http://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-emissions-lawsuits-edwards-idUSKCN0UQ18T20160112 . VW CEO says 6.7 billion euro provisions enough to cover repairs. Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) does not expect additional costs from fixing U.S. cars capable of cheating diesel emissions tests, Chief Executive Matthias Mueller said on Monday. "We have prepared 6.7 billion euros ($7.28 billion) for the repair process of all the cars globally. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-autoshow-detroit-volkswagen-emissions-idUSKCN0UP29F20160111 VW to expand U.S. diesel compensation program to larger vehicles. Volkswagen AG will announce on Monday it is expanding its goodwill diesel emissions compensation program to tens of thousands of owners of larger diesel vehicles, the company's top U.S. official told Reuters. Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Michael Horn said late on Sunday on the sidelines of a media event… http://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-emissions-compensation-idUSKCN0UP0D320160111 Volkswagen CEO: 'We didn't lie' to US about auto emissions. Volkswagen CEO Matthias Muller says his company "didn't lie" to federal regulators about its efforts to circumvent federal air pollution emission standards. The German automaker has admitted to selling diesel models of its cars that had software… http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/265537-volkswagen-ceo-we-didnt-lie-about-auto-emissions GREEN ENERGY Bloom to Install First High-Rise Fuel Cell for Morgan Stanley. Bloom Energy Corp., a manufacturer of fuel-cell power plants, agreed to install a 750-kilowatt system at Morgan Stanley’s headquarters in New York City. When complete this year, it will be Bloom’s first installation in a high-rise office tower, the Sunnyvale, California-based company said in a statement Tuesday. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/bloom-to-install-first-high-rise-fuel-cell-for-morgan-stanley African Sunshine Can Now Be Bought and Sold on the Bond Market. Africa’s off-grid solar industry has been turned into an asset class for the first time, bundling contracts for thousands of the sun-powered rooftop electricity systems to sell as bonds. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/african-sunshine-can-now-be-bought-and-sold-on-the-bond-market Yingli to Build Solar Panel Factory in Thailand With Demeter. Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., the world’s second largest solar panel manufacturer, said it will build its first overseas factory in Thailand as it seeks to grow outside China. The manufacturer formed a joint venture with a unit of Thailand’s Demeter Corp. to construct the 300-megawatt solar panel plant in Rayong… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/yingli-to-build-solar-panel-factory-in-thailand-with-demeter Santander, Canada Funds Buying 392 Megawatts of Brazil Wind. Banco Santander SA, Spain’s largest bank, and two Canadian pension funds acquired 392 megawatts of wind parks in Brazil for 2 billion reais ($494 million) to increase their presence in Latin America. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/santander-canada-pension-funds-pay-494-million-for-brazil-wind Solar Surges Past Wind, Hydro as California’s No. 1 Renewable Energy Source. In just a few short years, solar power has gotten big in California, and now it’s at the top of the renewable energy heap. Data compiled from daily reports by the state’s major grid manager indicate that in 2015, solar became the No. 1 source of renewable energy… http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/01/11/solar-power-california-top-source-of-renewable-energy Is Good Faith Enough To Bank Our Energy Future On Renewables? The exuberant responses to the Paris climate agreement should be perplexing. President Obama hailed the agreement as “the best chance to save the one planet we have,” and Secretary of State Kerry added “people are moving into low-carbon, no-carbon, alternative, renewable energy….” http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2016/01/11/good-faith-energy-future-renewable/ Nev. faces solar exodus in wake of rate changes. As recently as last summer, Nevada was the nation's No. 4 market for solar power and claimed the nation's No. 1 ranking for solar sector employment on a per-capita basis. Today, the state's status as a solar leader is in free fall as a result of a new net-metering ruling adopted by the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last month. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/01/11/stories/1060030395 Solar employment kept heat on fossil fuels in 2015. The U.S. solar industry kept growing in 2015, adding 20 percent more jobs for the third year running, according to an industry survey out today. But it's not all rosy. Manufacturing employment is off, minority hiring is down, employers are having a harder time finding skilled workers, and the growth rate is expected to slow this year. http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2016/01/12/stories/1060030462 OPINIONS Why climate change is an ethical problem. Climate change presents a severe ethical challenge, forcing us to confront difficult questions as individual moral agents, and even more so as members of larger political systems. It is genuinely global and seriously intergenerational, and crosses species boundaries. It also takes place in a setting where existing institutions and theories are weak, proving little ethical guidance. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-theory/wp/2016/01/09/why-climate-change-is-an-ethical-problem/ Editorial: Yes, we can have floods and a drought. Tuesday the state Water Resources Control Board reported the state had again failed to meet its water conservation goals in November. The same day, record rainfall was recorded at Los Angeles International Airport. Missing the water saving goal is a bad thing, but the water board was conciliatory… http://www.chicoer.com/opinion/20160109/editorial-yes-we-can-have-floods-and-a-drought How will we know the drought’s over? Now that 2016 has gotten off to a wet start, with a series of El Niño storms drenching California in recent days, the question is turning up with increasing frequency at dinner parties and coffee shops: “How will we know when the drought is over?” The answer, water experts say, is more complicated than you’d think. http://www.chicoer.com/general-news/20160111/how-will-we-know-the-droughts-over BLOGS Five steps Obama can take before leaving office to stave off climate disaster. Recent science is finding that impacts and economic costs from climate change — heats waves, droughts, wildfires, sea-level rise, extreme precipitation, flooding, desertification, reduced crop yields and others — are certain to increase, but the worst of these impacts can be avoided if President Barack Obama takes a series of specific actions in his final year in office. http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2016/01/11/five-steps-obama-can-take-before-leaving-office-to-stave-off-climate-disaster/ California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.