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newsclips -- ARB Newsclips for July 31, 2014.
Posted: 01 Aug 2014 09:24:07
ARB Newsclips for July 31, 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 ARB to consider minor amendments to GHG regs. The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will consider minor changes to the state's greenhouse gas regulations at a hearing on 18 September, the agency said yesterday. The board will consider amending the mandatory GHG emissions reporting program, the cap-and-trade program and offset protocols and the cost-of-implementation fee for the state's climate law, AB 32. Posted. http://www.argusmedia.com/News/Article?id=918681 UPS ups emissions goals after hitting target three years early. Logistics company commits to 20 per cent cut to transport emissions by the end of the decade. UPS has strengthened its climate commitments after the global logistics giant confirmed this week it has delivered a host of green goals early, despite increasing the size of its business. The company's "Committed to More" sustainability report was published yesterday, revealing that UPS cut absolute carbon emissions by 1.5 per cent in 2013, even as global shipping volume increased 3.9 per cent. Posted. http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2357993/ups-ups-emissions-goals-after-delivering-target-three-years-early http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060003848/print BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY Steyer takes on oil interests in 'donnybrook' over motor fuels in cap and trade. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer is challenging oil industry-led efforts to keep motor fuels out of California's program to cut carbon emissions, ratcheting up an already heated battle. Steyer accused oil companies yesterday of trying "to avoid paying their fair share" as they push to stop expansion of the cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas pollution. Posted. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060003876/print BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY AIR POLLUTION EPA hears praise, criticism of new air rules. To retired coal miner Stanley Sturgill, the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rules limiting pollution from power plants doesn't do enough to protect the public's health. Sturgill, a retired coal miner from Harlan County, Kentucky, who traveled to a public hearing about the rules Tuesday in Denver, told the EPA that coal-fired plants are crippling his health and that of the public. Posted. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CLIMATE_CHANGE_EPA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT OTHER RELATED STORIES http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/epa-hears-praise-criticism-of-new-air-rules/2014/07/30/09731680-17cc-11e4-88f7-96ed767bb747_story.html http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jul/30/epa-hears-praise-criticism-of-new-air-rules/ EPA Emissions Plan Draws Protest in Pittsburgh. Union Members Gather in Opposition to Proposed Carbon-Emissions Rule. Several thousand unionized coal miners, electrical workers and others filled this city's downtown on Thursday to protest the Obama administration's proposed rule to curb carbon emissions from the nation's power plants, ahead of two days of hearings on the issue in the city. Posted. http://online.wsj.com/articles/epa-emissions-plan-draws-protest-in-pittsburgh-1406831465?mod=rss_US_News EPA Hearing on Cuts in Carbon Emissions Draws Hundreds. Hundreds of people came before a regional hearing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Denver this week, as the agency takes public comments on rules that would cut carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. Many scientists believe power plant emissions are the most significant contributors to climate change. Posted. http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2014-07-31/energy-policy/epa-hearing-on-cuts-in-carbon-emissions-draws-hundreds/a40883-1#sthash.aAbIL5eX.dpuf Religious Conservatives Embrace Pollution Fight. The Rev. Lennox Yearwood punched his fist in the air as he rhythmically boomed into the microphone: “This is a moment for great leadership. This is a moment for our country to stand up. This is our moment.” But Mr. Yearwood’s audience was not a church. It was the Environmental Protection Agency. Posted. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/31/us/religious-conservatives-embrace-proposed-epa-rules.html?_r=0 South L.A.'s Allenco fined $99,000 over toxic emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday fined an oil operation in a South Los Angeles neighborhood $99,000 for failing to take steps to prevent release of toxic emissions. Allenco Energy Inc., which owns the 2-acre site in the University Park community near USC, was given 70 days to pay the penalty. Posted. http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-0731-allenco-fine-20140731-story.html Opponents, supporters to discuss clean air rules. Hundreds of people are expected to attend public hearings this week in a handful of cities across the U.S. to tell federal regulators what they think of proposed rules to cut pollution from power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency is holding the meetings in Denver, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Washington on President Barack Obama's plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030, with 2005 levels as the starting point. The rules are intended to curb global warming. Posted. www.kswo.com/story/26140659/opponents-supporters-to-discuss-clean-air-rules CLIMATE CHANGE Senior House Dem pushes climate bill. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced climate change legislation Wednesday for a second time that would put a cap on carbon emissions from industry sources. The bill, titled the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2014, would put a cap on greenhouse gases from the fossil-fuel industry while providing payments to the public. Posted. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/213825-senior-house-dem-pushes-climate-bill#ixzz394jy7yyM USDA offers tips to farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Agriculture Department has released what they hope will be the foundation for more and better tools for farmers to cut greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. USDA published a 600-page report today, listing the most prevalent sources of greenhouse gases and the steps farmers can take to reduce them. Posted. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060003880/print BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY DROUGHT California breaks drought record as 58% of state hits driest level. More than half of California is now under the most severe level of drought for the first time since the federal government began issuing regular drought reports in the late 1990s, according to new data released Thursday. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor report, in July roughly 58% of California was considered to be experiencing an "exceptional" drought -- the harshest on a five-level scale. Posted. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-drought-worsens-record-20140731-story.html Water-use restrictions take effect in California; daily fines possible. Tough new statewide regulations restricting outdoor water use took effect Tuesday, the same day millions of gallons of water gushed from a ruptured water main near the UCLA campus. Posted. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-new-california-water-use-restrictions-20140729-story.html North American waterfowl are newest casualty of California’s drought. Add another casualty to California’s prolonged and punishing drought: Wildlife officials warned this week that dry conditions in the state’s Central Valley could have a devastating effect on North American waterfowl. The Central Valley is recognized as the most important resting and wintering ground on the Pacific Flyway, a global migratory path for millions of ducks, geese and other birds. Posted. http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/30/6593565/drought-contributing-to-waterfowl.html#storylink=cpy Calif. drought crisis deepens. Drought conditions are continuing to worsen across the state as mandatory water restrictions took effect this week. According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of Tuesday 58.41 percent of the state is currently in an exceptional drought status known as D-4, the highest possible. That is up about 22 percent from just one week ago. 81.89 percent of the state is in at least a D-3 status known as extreme drought, which includes most of San Diego County. Posted. http://www.10news.com/news/calif-drought-crisis-deepens FUELS Richmond, Calif., OKs refinery upgrade. A Bay Area city council approved a $1 billion renovation of a controversial Chevron Corp. refinery with a history of accidents that has divided the local community. After nine years of trying, Chevron is one step closer to upgrading its century-old Richmond, Calif., facility but still needs a judge to lift a court order that stopped construction in 2009. The decision came after the United States' second-largest oil company agreed to limit greenhouse gas emissions and spend $90 million on local job training…Posted. http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/stories/1060003873/print BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY VEHICLES Panasonic, Tesla to build big US battery plant. American electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc. is teaming up with Japanese electronics company Panasonic Corp. to build a battery manufacturing plant in the U.S. expected to create 6,500 jobs. The companies announced the deal Thursday, but they did not say where in the U.S. the so-called "gigafactory," or large-scale plant, will be built. Financial terms weren't disclosed for the $5 billion plant. Posted. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_PANASONIC_TESLA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Rules for marrying EVs with the electric power grid -- a work in progress. Electric vehicles and the power grid are getting to know each other better. Eight global automakers and 15 electric utilities announced this week that they are working with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to develop and implement a standardized grid integration platform for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The project is intended to enhance vehicle-grid functionality so that PEV drivers can more easily participate in utility programs…Posted. http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1060003846/print BY SUBSCRIPITON ONLY PSEG CEO wants EPA credit for slashing methane leaks, boosting electric vehicles. Public Service Enterprise Group CEO Ralph Izzo wants U.S. EPA to allow states to count promoting electric vehicles and the replacement of leaky cast-iron natural gas pipelines as ways to satisfy the agency's proposed Clean Power Plan. "The feedback I'm being given is that those would not qualify in a state implementation plan proposal…Posted. http://www.eenews.net/energywire/stories/1060003849/print BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY GREEN ENERGY How to invest in renewable energy. You can now fit a wind or solar farm into your portfolio, even if your portfolio isn't exactly vast. Energy companies are wrapping renewable energy projects and other power-related assets that generate steady cash into new companies they hope attract investors hunting for dividends. In an unfortunate victory for corporate speak, they are called yieldcos. They're the electric power industry's answer to real estate investment trusts…Posted. http://www.contracostatimes.com/News/ci_26243783/How-to-invest-in-renewable-energy MISCELLANEOUS Free vehicle emissions tests offered at Fresno Fairgrounds. San Joaquin Valley residents can get free emissions testing for their vehicles at the Tune In and Tune Up Car Clean-Up on Aug. 9 at the Fresno Fairgrounds. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., vehicle owners can get a car emissions test and diagnostic inspection. The first 525 vehicles that qualify after the emissions test will receive a $500 voucher for repairs at participating STAR-certified smog shops. No smog certificates will be issued at the event. posted. http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/07/30/4047337/free-vehicle-emissions-tests-offered.html?sp=/99/406/#storylink=cpy Air district program grants $7.2M for technology projects. Local innovations are showing promise in alleviating the Central Valley’s air problem since being bolstered with funding from the Technology Advancement Program. Launched by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in 2010, the program relies on locally generated funds and support from the Environmental Protection Agency to reimburse projects or inventions that focus on renewable energy…Posted. http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/energy-and-environment/13227-air-district-program-grants-7-2m-for-technology-projects OPINIONS What will climate change cost? Let's be honest about our ignorance. Because President Obama’s plan for fighting climate change — a moderate one, by the way — will involve some hits to the fossil fuel industry, conservatives and climate skeptics have jumped all over it, saying that it will destroy the economy. In response, the administration released a report this week by the president’s Council of Economic Advisers saying that climate change could end up costing the United States $150 billion a year. Posted. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-obama-climate-change-cost-20140729-story.html U.S. can be a global winner by going lean on energy consumption. There are endless metrics to gauge whether the United States is ahead or behind other countries. Finland does education better and cheaper. Russians and central Europeans beat Americans in alcohol consumption. But it takes only five minutes for the average American to earn enough money to buy a pint of beer -- far less time than in any other nation. Posted. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/topoftheticket/la-na-tt-energy-consumption-20140729-story.html Insuring for Global Warming's Surprises. Postponing action on climate change will make the problem more expensive to manage later—if it can still be managed at all. So says a July 29 White House report on fighting global warming. While the message is true enough, changing attitudes about the problem is an exercise in persuasion, and the supposedly hard numbers highlighted in the report aren’t the best way to make the case. The document’s most powerful argument doesn’t lend itself to number crunching. Posted. http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-31/insuring-against-global-warming-risks Thoughts on Fresno code enforcement and the drought. Forget Measure W. The single most interesting item on the Fresno City Council’s July 31 agenda is (to use the new identifying code) ID#14-183. The topic: Code Enforcement Free-For-All. I exaggerate, but only a little. Here’s the context. Fresno’s got the new 2035 general plan coming down the pike real soon. This plan is the mother of all dream lists. It’s going to mandate much higher residential densities. Posted. http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/07/30/4048254/thoughts-on-fresno-code-enforcement.html#storylink=cpy Dan Liljenquist: The economic impact of high-ethanol blend fuels. Earlier this month, I wrote about the efforts of the Fuel Freedom Foundation to clear the regulatory hurdles so natural gas based high-ethanol blend fuels can compete with gasoline at the pump. With natural gas flowing from the ground in unprecedented quantities, with new technologies that can convert natural gas into pure ethanol and with over 70 million vehicles in the United States…Posted. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865607800/The-economic-impact-of-high-ethanol-blend-fuels.html OP-ED: EPA's carbon rules good for business. Some national business organizations have hammered the Environmental Protection Agency for proposing new rules on carbon pollution from existing power plants, cutting carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030, using 2005 levels as a baseline. What planet are they on? It's ludicrous to pretend that climate change isn't happening, or that it won't affect every industry. Posted. http://www.yorkdispatch.com/opinion/ci_26250270/op-ed-epas-carbon-rules-good-business Delaying Fuel Cost Piece of Greenhouse Gases Law Pits Blue Collar vs. Progressive Elites. One of the most high profile bills in the legislative session that resumes next week just got pushed into the center of the spotlight. AB 69, the measure to delay applying cap-and-trade regulations to transportation fuels, drew the attention of hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer who pledged “to spend what it takes” to see that the greenhouse gases reduction law is implemented according to schedule. Posted. http://www.foxandhoundsdaily.com/2014/07/delaying-fuel-cost-piece-greenhouse-gases-law-pits-blue-collar-vs-progressive-elites/ BLOGS Déjà vu. Clean and breathable air is a right, not a privilege. In a country as innovative and compassionate as ours, it is entirely unacceptable that the very young, the very old, and the very poor suffer disproportionately from health hazards exacerbated by climate change. This is why I founded NextGen Climate—to tackle climate change head on and secure a cleaner, healthier future for our children. Posted. https://nextgenclimate.org/fair-shake/deja-vu/ Clean Power Plan Leads to Healthy Kids. It shouldn't be dangerous to breathe. But, for thousands of kids in Atlanta, just going outside is like a fullback going into a game without a helmet - unhealthy and unsafe. Millions of American kids live in places where the air is so polluted that it’s not always safe to practice sports, go for a hike, or visit the local park. In fact, Atlanta has one of the worst asthma rates in the country, meaning the dreams of too many kids are at risk of getting sidelined by chronic health problems. Posted. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ovie-mughelli/clean-power-plan-leads-to_b_5635254.html?utm_hp_ref=impact&ir=Impact http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/213832-through-epa-rule-children-can-breathe-cleaner-air The U.S. cities with the worst climate change-related flooding. What’s the most pernicious climate-change threat facing the U.S. in the years to come? It might not be lung-scorching air pollution, less-nutritious crops, or super-fueled wildfires, but rising sea levels repeatedly swamping coastal cities, according to a new NOAA report. The number of “nuisance flooding” days in the U.S. has shot up markedly since the middle of last century, by as much as 925 percent in Annapolis and 922 percent in Baltimore. Posted. http://grist.org/cities/the-u-s-cities-with-the-worst-climate-change-related-flooding/ This startup is using a ‘carbon honeycomb’ to capture carbon emissions. Will a honeycomb-like material made of carbon be able to break open the market for capturing carbon emissions from power plants? A Canadian startup called Inventys is now working on a demonstration project using this new technology and they just lined up a series B round from Chevron, and others to move the technology closer to market. CEO Andre Boulet tells us the technology will be cheaper and less energy-intensive than rivals’. Posted. http://gigaom.com/2014/07/31/this-startup-is-using-a-carbon-honeycomb-to-capture-carbon-emissions/ California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.