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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.