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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for May 18, 2016.

Posted: 18 May 2016 14:57:28
ARB Newsclips for May 18, 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

Europe needs independent carbon market regulator - Total's CEO.
Europe needs an independent carbon market regulator with clear
objectives rather than the current mix of state administrators
and the European Commission that has complicated the market, the
chief executive of Total said on Wednesday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-total-ceo-carbon-idUKKCN0Y91OB 

EU Nations Said to Need More Time to Evaluate French Carbon Plan.
European Union governments need more time to evaluate a French
idea to introduce a price floor in the bloc’s carbon market and
define their stances on the issue after initial talks, according
to an EU official with knowledge of the matter.
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-O7BFB26K50Y901-2CC45N3AP5IDDHM2U515NB82LF


California’s glut of cap-and-trade allowances may cut revenue.
When California extended its “cap-and-trade” program of curbing
carbon emissions to automotive fuels, starting this year, it was
projected to generate hundreds of billions in new revenue
dollars. Prior to extension, the state’s quarterly auction of
emission allowances…
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/dan-walters/article78162422.html#storylink=cpy


What will it take to build a global emissions trading system?
According to the World Bank, which has pioneered many types of
emissions trading, there are 40 nations and 20 states, provinces
and cities that have implemented emissions trading systems, a
number that has tripled over the last 10 years. Together these
jurisdictions now produce about 12 percent of the planet's
man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/05/18/stories/1060037414 

AIR POLLUTION

Advocates: Maryland omitted key pollution measure in air-quality
report. Maryland officials left a key pollution measure out of a
glowing assessment released this month of the state’s compliance
with federal air-quality standards. An annual report from the
state Department of the Environment touted Maryland’s progress in
meeting federal guidelines for air pollutants…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/adovcates-maryland-omitted-key-pollution-measure-in-air-quality-report/2016/05/17/95742920-1b77-11e6-b6e0-c53b7ef63b45_story.html


Battery recycler Quemetco told to reduce cancer risk from arsenic
emissions. Air quality officials have told a battery recycling
plant in the City of Industry to cut its arsenic emissions after
an assessment found they posed an increased cancer risk to 12,000
people. The South Coast Air Quality Management District on
Tuesday gave lead-acid battery smelter Quemetco Inc. 30 days…
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-battery-recycler-risk-20160517-snap-story.html

http://www.sgvtribune.com/environment-and-nature/20160517/regulators-say-cancer-risk-from-arsenic-emissions-at-industry-plant-is-too-high

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_29908011/los-angeles-county-battery-recycler-told-cut-emissions


Carbon Capture Must Prevent 85-90% CO2 Emissions to Meet Climate
Goals. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can help countries
achieve emissions goals outlined in the Paris climate agreement -
but first CCS technology must improve so that it captures at
least 95 percent of CO2 emissions, according to researchers from
the Sustainable Gas Institute at Imperial College London.
https://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/05/18/carbon-capture-must-prevent-85-90-co2-emissions-to-meet-climate-goals/


Forget Cars: Cows And Fertilizer Could Be A Big Pollution
Problem. At the beginning of the 20th century, two German
chemists — Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch — figured out a way to
produce ammonia cheaply, and on an industrial scale. Their
process, known as the Haber-Bosch process, would go one to win
Bosch a Nobel Prize, and completely change the world…
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/18/3778921/fertilizer-manure-air-pollution/

GOP seeks to delay ozone standards that could slow energy
development. Republicans are telling the Obama’s administration
to slow down on lowering ozone limits. Legislation moving through
Congress would force the Environmental Protection Agency to wait
until 2025 to designate which parts of the country are in
violation of the administration new standard.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2016/05/18/republicans-seek-to-delay-ozone-standards-that-could-slow-energy-development/


CLIMATE CHANGE

Greenhouse gas emissions from this surprising source could doom
the Paris climate accord goal. By now, almost anyone can pick the
world’s biggest polluters out of a lineup: power plants,
automobile tailpipes and factories. Together they push nearly 70
percent of heat trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/05/18/greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-this-surprising-source-could-doom-the-paris-climate-accord-goal/


Climate change plan legally enforceable, city attorney says. Jan
Goldsmith issues formal analysis of San Diego's targets for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. San Diego’s landmark plan to
reduce greenhouse gases is legally enforceable, according to a
new memo from the City Attorney’s Office. This is the first legal
opinion on the key requirements of the city’s climate blueprint,
which include reducing greenhouse gases by 15 percent below 2010
levels by the year 2020, and then by 50 percent by 2035. 
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/may/18/jan-goldsmith-city-attorney-climate-change-plan/


Can OREGANO help solve climate change: Feeding herb to cows can
reduce greenhouse gases in their farts and burps. Most attempts
to tackle climate change focus on cutting greenhouse gases from
cars and factories, but a small group of scientists think the key
may lie in cutting emissions of a different kind. Methane
produced by livestock farming accounts for around 18 per cent...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3596466/Can-OREGANO-help-solve-climate-change-Feeding-herb-cows-reduce-greenhouse-gases-farts-burps.html


Climate change: Australia's big banks urged to reject new loans
for coal projects. Exclusive: Market Forces says halt to
refinancing existing loans would also test banks’ support for 2C
warming target. Australia’s big four banks could act on their
stated ambition to help achieve a 2C warming target simply by
giving no new loans to coal projects…
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/18/australia-climate-change-big-four-banks-urged-to-reject-new-loans-for-coal-projects


Agriculture Sector Must Reduce Non-CO2 Emissions to Meet New
Climate Agreement. Scientists have calculated, for the first
time, the extent to which agricultural emissions must be reduced
to meet the new climate agreement's plan to limit warming to 2°C
in 2100. Scientists from the the University of Vermont, the CGIAR
Research Program on Climate Change…
http://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=23347 

Climate regs could have modest impact on electricity prices –
EIA. Electricity prices in the later years of U.S. EPA's Clean
Power Plan might be 3 percent higher than without the rule,
according to an early release of part of the U.S. Energy
Information Administration's outlook for 2016.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/05/18/stories/1060037450 

Americans imperiled by warming say it's more than political. Some
of those who stand to lose their homes to climate change are
Americans. That was the message at a Capitol Hill forum
yesterday, where witnesses from severely climate-affected
communities in the United States and Marshall Islands told
congressional staff that warming is a direct threat to their way
of life.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/05/18/stories/1060037455 

DROUGHT

Sen. Dianne Feinstein pushes Senate subcommittee for water bill
to address California's drought. El Niño's rains didn't end
California's drought, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein urged Senate
colleagues Tuesday to hurry and find a compromise on a package of
bills to address the water crisis in the West. "There appears to
be no immediate end in sight," Feinstein said. "The drought is
going to continue through next year."
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-feinstein-water-senate-20160518-snap-story.html


California water officials say they will consider dropping a
mandate requiring conservation in the state's fifth year of
drought. California water officials say they will consider
dropping a mandate requiring conservation in the state's fifth
year of drought. California water officials say they will
consider dropping a mandate requiring conservation in the state's
fifth year of drought.
http://www.usnews.com/news/science/articles/2016-05-18/california-weighs-next-step-for-saving-water-in-drought


California weighs next step for saving water in drought. Strict
rules adopted at the height of California's drought leading many
people to let their lawns turn brown may soon end as state
regulators Wednesday consider letting local communities decide
how to keep their own water use in check.
http://napavalleyregister.com/ap/state/california-weighs-next-step-for-saving-water-in-drought/article_6dcb5cca-9908-5580-bfe6-c824bc4b90c9.html


Is California drought new norm for water use? With the drought
fading and temperatures heating up, it's no wonder more
sprinklers are popping up. But is it too soon? Some homeowners
and environmentalists worry water restrictions are coming off too
fast in a state struggling to have enough water for people,
businesses, fish and wildlife.
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_29905223/is-drought-new-norm-water-use


Some Water Suppliers Resisted Drought Measures, But Data Shows
They Worked. On Wednesday California will likely revise its
drought rules, ending a year of local conservation quotas handed
down by the state. The water board will abandon its formula —
decried by some local agencies as a “one-size-fits-all” model —
which required each water district to curb water use…
http://ww2.kqed.org/science/2016/05/18/some-water-suppliers-resisted-drought-measures-but-data-shows-they-worked/

FUELS

U.S. EPA expected to increase 2017 biofuels targets –sources.
U.S. environmental regulators were expected to raise targets for
the amount of corn-based ethanol and biofuels that must be mixed
into the nation's motor fuel supply next year in a proposal that
could come as early as Wednesday afternoon, five sources said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-biofuels-idUSL2N18F0WG 
http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060037489 

Renewable diesel offers lower emissions than regular diesel,
study says. The lifecycle carbon emissions of renewable diesel
fuel may be significantly lower than those of conventional
diesel, according to a new study from a company that sells the
renewable version. The lifecycle carbon emissions of renewable
diesel fuel are significantly lower than those of conventional
diesel…
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2016/0518/Renewable-diesel-offers-lower-emissions-than-regular-diesel-study-says


New House bill seeks to limit ethanol in gasoline to current
usage. Pretty much since its passage in 2007, the Renewable Fuel
Standard has been a controversial piece of legislation. Enacted
as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act, it requires
increasing amounts of ethanol to be blended with gasoline.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1104011_new-house-bill-seeks-to-limit-ethanol-in-gasoline-to-current-usage


VEHICLES

Merkel Cabinet Rolls Out $1.1 Billion to Spur Electric Car Sales.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet signed off on a package of
finance worth 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to lure Germany’s
motorists into buying electric cars. A third of the money will go
for rebates for buyers of all-electric and hybrid vehicles, and
the rest will fund a nationwide network of roadside battery
chargers…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-18/merkel-cabinet-rolls-out-1-1-billion-to-spur-electric-car-sales

Buying an electric car in Colorado just got $5,000 cheaper. 
Colorado bill shifts tax credits for buyers of alternative-fuel
vehicles to point of purchase. Coloradans shopping for an
alternative-fuel vehicle will soon have a new incentive: $5,000
off at the time of purchase. House Bill 16-1332 awaits Gov. John
Hickenlooper's signature.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_29905113/new-way-buy-electric-cars-would-offer-5


Officials unveil county’s first hydrogen fueling station. Local
officials celebrated the opening of the first hydrogen fueling
station in Santa Barbara County on Friday in front of a number of
supporters, including the county’s Air Pollution Control
District, chaired by 4th District Supervisor Peter Adam. “About a
year ago, I had the opportunity to drive the Hyundai fuel cell
vehicle along with Keith Malone of the Fuel Cell Partnership…
http://santamariatimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/officials-unveil-county-s-first-hydrogen-fueling-station/article_17105d08-792c-54fb-9c52-a639cb17b44a.html


VW RECALL

Volkswagen Finance Chief Promises Executive Pay Overhaul. German
car maker has come under fire from activist shareholder, Chris
Hohn. BERLIN— Volkswagen AG Chief Finance Officer Frank Witter
pledged in a letter to activist fund manager Chris Hohn that the
embattled German car maker would boost profit and overhaul its
pay system for top executives as part of a broader strategy
review.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-finance-chief-promises-executive-pay-overhaul-1463572834


Analysis: Volkswagen's emissions cheat headache just got worse. 
The United States and Volkswagen are closing in on a $10 billion
settlement over the German car company's diesel emissions cheat.
But the carmaker is far from out of the woods when it comes to
closing the door on the scandal, and a powerful new player now
has VW in its crosshairs.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-volkswagen-emissions-scandal-norway-20160517-story.html


GREEN ENERGY

The Oil Industry Can Teach Offshore Wind Farms How to Stay
Afloat. When turbines start spinning at the first U.S. offshore
wind farm near Rhode Island later this year, some energy
developers will already be eyeing a bigger prize. There’s a
steadier, harder wind blowing off the California coast.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-17/new-california-gold-rush-beckons-wind-developers-off-coast


China Leads in Offshore Wind Energy as U.S. Only Starting: Chart.
China and the U.K. are far ahead of the U.S. when it comes to
developing offshore wind energy. Developers plan to put into
operation the first seaborne U.S. wind farm this year -- off
Rhode Island -- but advocates point to the stronger winds off the
Pacific coast and say that’s where the industry’s greatest
potential lies.
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-O7C6HH6TTDSE01-51DV1H7VHFRHKP3656PHSN33LH


Peabody Energy Gets Go-Ahead for $800 Million Bankruptcy
Financing. Court approval comes after existing lenders made
concessions. Peabody Energy Corp. won final bankruptcy-court
approval for an $800 million financing package after lenders made
concessions to appease creditors. Peabody said final approval on
the chapter 11 financial arrangements ensures the company can
continue operating…
http://www.wsj.com/articles/peabody-energy-gets-go-ahead-for-800-million-bankruptcy-financing-1463517739


Solar Ready Vets Transforms US Military Into Climate Change
Fighters.  At least 190,000 veterans are expected to transition
out of the US military each year over the next several years, and
the federal program Solar Ready Vets is gearing up to match them
with solar jobs. The Energy Department has just announced that it
is adding five more military bases to the program’s roster of
solar training locations.
http://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/18/solar-ready-vets-transforms-us-military-climate-change-fighters/


Shell Creates New Energies Division To Invest In Renewables &
Low-Carbon Power. Royal Dutch Shell is reported to have created a
new division which will focus solely on investing in renewable
and low-carbon energies.  According to reports in the news, and a
new report published by Shell, the oil and gas company will bring
together its existing hydrogen, biofuels, and electrical
activities…
http://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/18/shell-creates-new-energies-division-invest-renewables-low-carbon-power/


Lessons from a solar startup's failure. The concept of sharing is
a growing one in global economies, with increasing opportunities
to divvy up the use of cars, homes and other goods and services.
So, why not extend that same type of opportunity to energy —
specifically energy generated from solar panels mounted on houses
and other buildings?
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2016/05/17/lessons-solar-startups-failure/84496000/


How Portugal went 107 hours on only renewable energy (+video).
Proving its leadership in renewable energy, Portugal powered all
of its electricity with only renewable energy for four days. From
the morning of May 7 to the afternoon of May 11, Portugal's
electricity consumption was fully covered by renewable sources.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/0517/How-Portugal-went-107-hours-on-only-renewable-energy-video


Solar Energy Tops Coal In UK. For one week, between May 3 and May
9, more electricity was generated by solar energy than coal in
the UK. In April of this year, the same was true for two days,
but not for a full week. On the two days in April, coal generated
3% of electricity, but solar generated 4% on one and 6% on the
other.
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/18/solar-power-tops-coal-in-uk/


Little Vt. rises as a 'powerhouse' in clean energy. Vermont is
proving that small states can do big things in energy innovation.
The consulting firm Clean Edge Inc., in its latest annual index
of clean energy and technology leaders, put Vermont in company
with perennial leaders California and Massachusetts for its
commitments to replace traditional energy fuels…
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/05/18/stories/1060037454 

MISCELLANEOUS

Southern California Gas Co. fined $2.25 million for pipeline
safety violations. State regulators have fined Southern
California Gas Co. $2.25 million for failing to promptly fix
corrosion control systems used on its underground natural gas
pipelines. The California Public Utilities Commission cited the
utility for 45 safety violations found during inspections in the
Mid-City and Harbor area in April and May of 2015.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gas-company-fine-20160517-snap-story.html


OPINIONS

Does Pricing Carbon Worsen Inequality? It Doesn't Have To. Faced
with a barrage of Democratic policies to combat climate change,
Republicans have long sought a non-ridiculous justification for
resisting. They haven't quite nailed it. The earth can't be
getting warmer, because some days are cold and here is a
snowball. OK, maybe the earth is getting warmer, but certainly
not because of humans.
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-18/does-pricing-carbon-worsen-inequality-it-doesn-t-have-to


Climate change doubters really aren’t going to like this study.
Researchers have designed an inventive test suggesting that the
arguments commonly used by climate change contrarians don’t add
up, not only according to climate scientists (we know what they
think already) but also in the view of unbiased experts from
other fields. The trick? Disguising the data — and its
interpretation — as if it was part of an argument about something
else entirely.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/05/18/climate-change-doubters-really-really-arent-going-to-like-this-study/


BLOGS

Nature Climate Emissions: Ocean Bacteria Are Pumping Out Massive
Amounts Of Sulfur. SAR11 are the most abundant plankton in the
world's oceans. They are also a massive source of two sulfur
gases that play important roles in the Earth's atmosphere.
Many types of gaseous fumes emerge from the ocean, such as
formaldehyde, acetone and methanol…
http://www.science20.com/news_articles/nature_climate_emissions_ocean_bacteria_are_pumping_out_massive_amounts_of_sulfur-172803




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

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