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California Air Resources Board News Clips for August 31, 2009. 

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.


Capitol Crowds Are Smaller But Outrage Still High At Tea Party
II. Memories of April's massive Tea Party protests returned
Friday as thousands gathered on the west side of the Capitol for
what organizers billed as a sequel. While Friday's protest didn't
match the first one's crowd numbers – the California Highway
Patrol said the crowd ranged from 1,500 to 4,000 – the level of
outrage and volume was high. Organizers had called the rally an
uprising against runaway environmentalism and, in particular,
water policies that California farmers say have killed their
crops. Posted. http://www.sacbee.com/politics/story/2146966.html

Tea Party Event Concludes (Part Three).The day-long Tea Party
rally in Sacramento fired up more than 10,000 Patriots and
dispelled myths and argued facts about a variety of hot-button
issues, including the plight of Central California farmers,
logging industry, health care and cape-and-trade. Longtime
motivational speaker and probable California congressional
candidate Mason Weaver revved up the crowd with his humor and
more importantly, candor. Posted.
http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Tea-Party-event-concludes-Part-Three

'Tea Party Patriots' Stage Rally. Sacramento -- There was no
doubting who the enemy was at Friday's "Tea Party Patriots" rally
at the Capitol. "Government is the problem!" the crowd chanted.
"No more government!" The event, the second "tea party" held at
the Capitol this year, was billed as a "first-time coalition of
thousands to protest government over-regulation." Posted.
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1619542.html
http://www.capradio.org/articles/articledetail.aspx?articleid=7031
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/protesters-at-capitol-decry-government-policies.html
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6987775
http://www.cbs47.tv/content/special_features/story/Tea-Party-Rally-Heading-to-Sacramento/KPLunIgRpEO8e2U33Ifwvg.cspx

Why Cap And Trade System Is The Best Option To Reduce GHG
Emissions. The debate on what is the best way to reduce global
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions boils down to three policy options
- a command and control structure that defines the best
alternatives, a tax/subsidy and a market based system such as Cap
and Trade. In theory any of the three can result in optimal
emission abatement depending on the circumstances. Posted.
http://www.examiner.com/x-21949-Phoenix-Environmental-Policy-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Why-Cap-and-Trade-system-is-the-best-option-to-reduce-GHG-emissions

Reducing Dependence On Cars Key To Climate Initiative Targets.
North Bay – Napa County is searching for ways to become less
dependent on cars in order to comply with state climate change
protection targets. “We are trying to figure out how to
decongest, to provide alternatives to driving,” said Paul Price,
the executive director for the Napa County Transportation
Planning Agency. Mr. Price came to the planning agency six months
ago with 35 years of experience in the transportation industry.
Posted.
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/14507/reducing-dependence-on-cars-key-to-climate-initiative-targets/

"Gas Saver" Invention That Actually Saves Gas . . . Who Knew?
The real story around auto performance, increasing miles per
gallon. "23 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway." Isn`t this
what we all look at when choosing our car or truck? Smaller
gas-burning engines get better mileage, so they say. Touted
"mpg`s" seem to rise every year, especially with the addition of
computers and advanced technology. Or do they? In reality,
vehicles have shown less than a 5% increase in miles per gallon
in the past 60 years, despite sophisticated technology. Posted.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS170850+31-Aug-2009+BW20090831

Delta Levee Projects Must Now Prepare For Rising Sea Level.
Levee projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will have to
account for rising sea levels under a new federal policy aimed at
shoring up the region's main line of defense against climate
change. It's the first comprehensive policy by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers to require that projects under its
jurisdiction be designed with higher sea levels in mind. Posted.
http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/v-print/story/2149351.html

Green-Energy Plan Is Tall Task For State. Sacramento - Still
haunted by rolling blackouts and budget-busting energy contracts,
California plans to broaden its already aggressive directive
requiring utilities to deliver more power from renewable sources.
But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers, under intense
pressure from generators and renewable power advocates with
conflicting positions, have yet to deliver a final compromise
package that has been declared a top priority going into the last
two weeks of the legislative year. Posted.
http://signonsandiego.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Green-energy+plan+is+tall+task+for+state&expire=&urlID=409669762&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww3.signonsandiego.com%2Fstories%2F2009%2Faug%2F31%2Fgreen-energy-plan-tall-task-state%2F%3Fnews&partnerID=86541

EPA To Grant Delay In Central Valley Ozone Cleanup. Local air
districts will now have until 2024 to meet requirements of
campaign. Fresno -- Ending years of debate, federal officials are
about to grant an 11-year delay for the San Joaquin Valley's
ozone cleanup campaign. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
is scheduled to publish its proposed approval in the Federal
Register in the next few days, and it will become official by the
end of September. The action pushes the deadline to 2024, an
extension the local air district requested more than two years
ago after stormy public discussions with activists. Posted.
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1030115.html

A High Cost to Deal With Climate Shift. New York — The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has described the
notion of “adaptation” as those initiatives designed “to reduce
the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or
expected climate change effects.” The implication, of course, is
that regardless of what countries, businesses or individuals do
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the planet is going to warm
up. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/business/energy-environment/31iht-green31.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

Can Push for Climate Bill Forge a Lasting Labor-Enviro Alliance?
The push for climate legislation has bolstered an alliance of
unions and environmentalists, raising the hopes of liberal
activists who have long sought a lasting and influential
relationship between green groups and labor. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/28/28climatewire-can-push-for-climate-bill-forge-a-lasting-la-70854.html

Air Quality Worsens Near Socal Wildfire. LOS ANGELES—The
regional air quality agency has issued a smoke advisory, warning
all residents who live near the massive Southern California
wildfire to remain indoors and avoid strenuous activity.
Officials say air quality is in the foothill communities around
La Canada Flintridge is unhealthy, bordering on hazardous.
Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13235027

Sanbag Gets $10 Million For Green Truck Project. San Bernardino
- The county's transportation planning agency will get nearly $10
million in federal economic stimulus funds for a clean-energy
truck project in the region. San Bernardino Associated
Governments, known as Sanbag, will receive $9.95 million from the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the alternative-fuels
project. The money will be used to purchase 262 liquefied natural
gas trucks for one of the largest transportation logistics
companies in North America. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13230294

Carpooler 'Confessions' Sought. The Bay Area Air Quality
Management District announced the launch of the "Confessions of a
Carpooler" video contest. Carpoolers are asked to video their
commutes and share why they choose to carpool to work. The
contest runs through Sept. 30. The Air District encourages
commuters to share their best carpooling-related stories and tips
by uploading a three-minute video to the contest page on
www.SpareTheAir.org. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_13234432

Miramonte Grads Leave Behind Climate Change Lessons. Orinda —
When carpooling Miramonte High School seniors roll into prime
parking spots guaranteed to them this year, they can thank two
graduates. And if they start thinking about climate change a
little more, they'll have Devin Finzer and Patrick Ouziel to
thank for that, too. Finger and Ouziel took the climate change
issue to their peers as California Climate Champions, raising
awareness about a warming planet and improving the school's
carpool program. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/green/ci_13225329

EU To Begin Phasing Out Standard Lightbulbs. Brussels—The EU
will start making the transition from power-draining lightbulbs
to more energy efficient ones Tuesday, the European Commission
said. Several nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada
and the Philippines have already announced they will phase out or
restrict sales of traditional bulbs as well. In 2007, President
George W. Bush signed a bill that calls for the bulb to be phased
out in the U.S. beginning in 2012. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/nationandworld/ci_13238659

Lawsuit fights Novato Narrows project: Critic: Climate Change
Ignored. A Sausalito man could put a halt to the $745 million
Novato Narrows widening project before the first shovel hits the
ground. David Schonbrunn, president of the Transportation
Solutions Defense and Education Fund, a San Rafael-based
nonprofit watchdog group, has filed a lawsuit against the
California Department of Transportation alleging the agency's
environmental impact report on the project is flawed. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_13237263

Climate Trouble May Be Bubbling Up In Far North. Mackenzie River
Delta, Northwest Territories—Only a squawk from a sandhill crane
broke the Arctic silence—and a low gurgle of bubbles, a watery
whisper of trouble repeated in countless spots around the polar
world.  "On a calm day, you can see 20 or more 'seeps' out across
this lake," said Canadian researcher Rob Bowen, sidling his small
rubber boat up beside one of them. A tossed match would have set
it ablaze. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/science/ci_13235165

UN Meeting: help nations adapt to global warming. GENEVA—As
nations negotiate tough decisions on cutting greenhouse gases,
the United Nations is holding a separate conference on coping
with more floods, droughts and other effects of climate change
already assured. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/columns/ci_13233899

Editorial: A Good Chance To Sidetrack High-Speed Rail
Boondoggle. OFTEN THERE IS a wide gap separating a concept from
reality. Such is the case with California's high-speed rail
project. Conceptually, fast, comfortable, fuel-efficient,
intercity, passenger rail transportation makes a lot of sense as
fuel prices rise and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions are
mandated. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_13224631

Hearing This Week On Hayward Power Plant Permit. HAYWARD — With
a final permit pending for Calpine's Russell City Energy Center,
air quality regulators are holding a public hearing this week on
the proposed 600-megawatt plant near the Hayward shoreline. If
past meetings are any indication, they're sure to get an earful —
there's a long line of opponents who have spoken out against the
plant at every opportunity. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_13235384

EarthTalk: Tax incentives. Q: Since President Barack Obama took
office, have any new incentives been put in place for homeowners
looking to increase energy efficiency and reduce the overall
environmental footprints of their homes? A: In fact, yes.
Homeowners can get up to $1,500 back from the federal government
for any number of energy efficiency upgrades at home. Posted.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/homeandgarden/ci_13200995

As Md. Praises the Green Amid the Blacktop, Skeptics Continue to
See Red. After decades of controversy over an Intercounty
Connector's environmental impacts, Maryland roads officials are
billing it as "one of America's greenest highways."  Posted.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/29/AR2009082902008.html

Despite Last Few Days, Inland Air Quality Has Been Cleaner This
Summer. Despite the scorching weather and smoky skies of the past
few days, Southern Californians have been breezing through one of
the cleanest summer smog seasons since officials started tracking
daily air quality. Posted.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_S_air30.32a3100.html


Blowing Away Air Pollution. It's one of the sounds of summer --
leaf blowers.Now there's a program to lower the decibels and the
pollution. The AQMD is offering to exchange the noisy leaf
blowers for new, low-emission, quiet models.  The program is
called "Blowing Away Air Pollution" and kicked off in North
Hollywood on Thursday. The new units are sold for less than half
the retail cost. Posted.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Blowing-Away-Air-Pollution-55736267.html


Wildfires Pose Threats To Valley Air, Health. The Valley's
improved air quality this summer could soon turn ugly with soot
from wildfires and ozone, air officials say. They are asking
residents to closely follow air-quality forecasts online or from
news outlets and take notice of any smoke in the air. The
combination of soot and ozone can trigger lung and heart
problems. Posted.
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1618871.html 

REGION: A 'Different' Summer. The ongoing heat wave
notwithstanding, residents of San Diego and Riverside counties
have enjoyed a relatively pleasant summer. On the coast and
inland, temperatures were about normal for July and August, and
three to six degrees cooler than long-term averages for June,
according to weather statistics. Posted.
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_a07c6d9b-c31e-5e61-84d5-ad8b53a41d59.html


State DOTs Tap Brakes on Emission Goals. The road to crafting a
national transportation strategy that would curb greenhouse gas
emissions has hit another pothole. State highway departments are
worrying that some emissions goals are overly ambitious and
threaten to deliver another blow to the economy and state efforts
to repair and replace crumbling roads and bridges. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/28/28climatewire-state-dots-tap-brakes-on-emission-goals-49089.html


Reducing Dependence On Cars Key To Climate Initiative Targets.
Napa County is searching for ways to become less dependent on
cars in order to comply with state climate change protection
targets. “We are trying to figure out how to decongest, to
provide alternatives to driving,” said Paul Price, the executive
director for the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency. Mr.
Price came to the planning agency six months ago with 35 years of
experience in the transportation industry. Posted.
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/14507/reducing-dependence-on-cars-key-to-climate-initiative-targets/


Looming Election Could Strengthen Japan's Climate Policy.
Japan's landmark elections next week could have sweeping
implications for the country's climate change policies. The
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), projected to win by a landslide,
has pledged to slash Japan's greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent
below 1990 levels in the coming decade, compared to the 15
percent cut promised by the current ruling party. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/08/28/28climatewire-looming-election-could-strengthen-japans-cli-98784.html


OPINION:Clunkers Don’t Come Cheap. The $3 billion
cash-for-clunkers program that ended last week worked well as a
jolt of economic stimulus. Nearly 700,000 people used the rebate
to buy new cars in July and August — adding about 0.3 to 0.4
percentage points to economic growth in the third quarter, at an
annual rate. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/opinion/31mon4.html 

Ramping Up Renewable Energy. Southern California Edison has long
been a proponent of renewable energy. And its actions speak
louder than words. Last year, the Rosemead-based utility
delivered about 12.6 billion kilowatt hours of renewable energy
to customers. All told, about 16 percent of the energy SCE
provides comes from renewable sources, including wind,
geothermal, solar, biomass and small hydro. Posted.
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13233994 

Allen: Obama Energy Policies Hurting Deeds. The Obama
administration and its energy policies are hurting Democratic
candidate R. Creigh Deeds in the Virginia gubernatorial race,
former Sen. George Allen said Tuesday. Posted.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/26/allen-obama-energy-policies-hurting-deeds/


New Hydrogen Energy Plant Is A Welcome Addition To County's
Vulnerable Economy. The Obama administration's announcement that
it intends to pump $308 million into a proposed Kern County
energy project represents a potential economic shot in the arm
for our region. Posted.
http://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community/x616724784/New-hydrogen-energy-plant-is-a-welcome-addition-to-countys-vulnerable-economy


Some Buildings Not Living Up to Green Label. The Federal
Building in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, features an extensive use
of natural light to illuminate offices and a white roof to
reflect heat. It has LEED certification, the country’s most
recognized seal of approval for green buildings. Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/science/earth/31leed.html?hp
 
BLOGS

Does Carbon Labeling Confuse Consumers? Tesco, a British
supermarket chain, began festooning cartons of milk this month
with information on the carbon dioxide emissions associated with
the production, processing, distribution and use of each pint.
Tesco said putting the labels on milk pints – an iconic symbol of
British life – helped to raise awareness about climate change and
about the impact of store-bought goods. Posted.
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/does-carbon-labeling-confuse-consumers/
 
 
Seven Myths About Alternative Energy. As the world looks around
anxiously for an alternative to oil, energy sources such as
biofuels, solar, and nuclear seem like they could be the magic
ticket. They're not.  "We Need to Do Everything Possible to
Promote Alternative Energy." Not exactly. It's certainly clear
that fossil fuels are mangling the climate and that the status
quo is unsustainable. There is now a broad scientific consensus
that the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than
25 percent by 2020 -- and more than 80 percent by 2050. Posted.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/08/12/seven_myths_about_alternative_energy?print=yes&hidecomments=yes&page=full

Would You Like Fries With That? Back in the day, if you told
your Uncle Charlie that folks wanted to operate a hamburger
restaurant in a nearby commercial area, he would have replied,
“Well, that’s a nice thing. I like hamburgers.” Posted.
http://golis.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10210/would-you-like-fries-with-that/