What's New List Serve Post Display

ARB Newsclips for July 3, 2014. 

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

California lawmakers, industry groups join to oppose ‘gas tax’ in
emissions cap program. A bipartisan group of local lawmakers are
joining business groups in a campaign to oppose an air quality
regulation they say will lead to higher gas and goods costs for
consumers. Lawmakers, including State Senators Mike Morrell,
R-Rancho Cucamonga, and Norma Torres, D-Chino, spoke out against
a program they say would amount to a new gas tax at a press
conference held at the Pacific Mountain Logistics facility in
Ontario on Wednesday. Posted.
http://www.sbsun.com/government-and-politics/20140702/california-lawmakers-industry-groups-join-to-oppose-gas-tax-in-emissions-cap-program

http://www.dailybulletin.com/government-and-politics/20140702/california-lawmakers-industry-groups-join-to-oppose-gas-tax-in-emissions-cap-program


AIR POLLUTION

Fireworks: Hazardous to air quality and health.  Local air
officials are reminding residents that Independence Day fireworks
increase levels of dangerous particulate matter, posing a threat
to air quality and health.  Fireworks emit large quantities of
particulate matter, including soot, ash and metals. These can
trigger serious health problems, especially in people with
existing respiratory conditions, elderly people and small
children, officials said.  Posted. 
http://www.modbee.com/2014/07/02/3421754/fireworks-hazardous-to-air-quality.html
 

Independence Day can be hazardous to those with respiratory
problems.  Independence Day brings out a lot of national pride
and desire to celebrate, but for those with respiratory problems,
it can be a hazardous day. Fireworks increase the levels of
dangerous particulate matter and can pose a health threat. Even
"safe and sane" fireworks emit this matter, including soot, ash
and metals. Posted.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140702/A_NEWS/140709972/0/SEARCH


Second Try Puts Carbon Observatory Into Orbit.  NASA’s new
spacecraft to sniff carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere
reached orbit on Wednesday after launching from Vandenberg Air
Force Base in California. The $468 million Orbiting Carbon
Observatory-2 mission had to be put off when Tuesday’s launching
attempt was halted with just 46 seconds left in the countdown.
Posted.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/03/science/space/second-try-puts-carbon-observatory-into-orbit.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C[%22RI%3A6%22%2C%22RI%3A17%22]


DIESEL EMISSIONS

CARB posts advisory and language for Truck and Bus timetables. 
Truck owners who need to know when their trucks must be upgraded
to meet California’s rapidly changing Truck and Bus Regulation
have new documents and a hotline to call and receive help.  The
California Air Resources Board is using email, social media and
virtually every outlet at its disposal to publicize enforcement
dates for the Truck and Bus Regulation – its most expensive truck
rule.  Posted. 
http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=27286#.U7WKbIUvAk8

DROUGHT

California toughens enforcement of water violations. 
California’s water cops on Wednesday approved emergency drought
regulations aimed at forcing water users to act swiftly when told
to stop diverting water from streams.  The State Water Resources
Control Board, after meeting for nearly 12 hours over two days,
voted unanimously to approve the new rules package. The emergency
regulations mean that for the next nine months, the board can
follow a streamlined process to force some water-rights holders
to stop diverting from rivers and streams.  Posted. 
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/02/6530585/california-toughens-enforcement.html#mi_rss=Latest%20News

VEHICLES

Lithium-ion battery makers look to stimulate electric car
production.  Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors has
decided it will no longer pursue lawsuits against anyone using
its patented technology.  Chief executive Elon Musk explained on
the company’s blog that Tesla cannot tackle the carbon crisis
alone: ‘If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric
vehicles, but then lay intellectual property land mines behind us
to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that
goal.’  Posted. 
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/06/lithium-ion-battery-makers-stimulate-electric-car-production
 

GREEN ENERGY

For some new homes, batteries included. In a new pilot offering,
San Jose-based SunPower, the second-largest U.S. solar
manufacturer, is partnering with builder KB Home to offer
energy-storage systems to California homeowners that will power
houses at night with electricity generated from sunlight during
the day. Posted.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jul/03/houses-feature-batteries-solar/


OPINIONS

Stop the hidden cap-and-trade tax on fuel: Guest commentary.
Fighting climate change is the right thing to do; but measures
considered to reduce greenhouse gases deserve public debate.
Allowing the California Air Resources Board (CARB), a state
regulatory agency, to levy a gas tax and hiding it from the
public is the wrong way to go. Posted.
http://www.dailybulletin.com/opinion/20140703/stop-the-hidden-cap-and-trade-tax-on-fuel-guest-commentary


BLOGS 

How Climate Change Could Foil China’s Smog-Fighting Efforts. 
Scared of a big problem, a government throws money at it.
Hundreds of billions of dollars. Yet the money doesn’t truly
help. That’s a scenario that may be facing China as it tries to
rid itself of severe air pollution, a prominent Harvard
University scientist said after a two-day, closed-door symposium
in Shanghai attended by leading American and Chinese scientists
and pollution experts, including meteorologists, chemists and
economists. Posted.
http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/03/how-climate-change-could-foil-chinas-smog-fighting-efforts/?_php=true&_type=blogs&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&_r=0


Madrid's new parking meters cost more if you drive a gas guzzler.
The parking situation in Madrid, Spain went through two big
changes this week. In some areas, the meters have been updated to
know what kind of vehicle is parked there and charge dirty
vehicles more money while giving discounts to cleaner ones. In
another area, all parking meters have been removed. We'll call it
mixed messaging. Posted.
http://green.autoblog.com/2014/07/02/madrids-new-parking-meters-cost-more-if-you-drive-a-gas-guzzler/




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