What's New List Serve Post Display

ARB Newsclips for July 22, 2015. 

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.

AIR POLLUTION

China's air less polluted in first half of 2015: Greenpeace.
China saw levels of two common air pollutants improve modestly in
the first half of 2015, environmental group Greenpeace East Asia
said on Wednesday.  Average levels of PM2.5 - particulate matter
with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers that can penetrate deep into
the lungs - fell 16 percent in the first six months from a year
ago, the group said, adding that sulfur dioxide levels also fell
18 percent.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/22/us-china-pollution-greenpeace-idUSKCN0PW0MS20150722


China’s Anti-Pollution Drive Starts to Bite on Sales of Coal.
China’s push to ease its reliance on coal and the fossil-fuel
pollution choking Beijing’s skies has started to hit sales of
coal from the nation’s biggest supplier. China Shenhua Energy
Company Ltd.’s shipments dropped 24 percent in the first half of
the year compared with a year ago, according to a statement
released Monday.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-22/china-s-anti-pollution-drive-starts-to-bite-on-sales-of-coal


EPA Rule Change Could Result in Noncompliance, Loss of Federal
Funding, Chamber of Commerce Says.  A small change in the cap for
ground-level ozone emissions could lead to wide-scale
noncompliance of environmental rules, and a major business group
says that could be flipped into the federal government yanking
funding commitments for highway and transit projects.
http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=38936 

CLIMATE CHANGE

State board grants provisional charter for NY Climate Museum. The
plan for a museum in the city that would focus on climate and
climate change, with exhibits that could relate to health, social
justice and rain-delayed baseball games, moved a step forward
Monday, officials said.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/88c303536c05479d94ad0a39dda0af98/state-board-grants-provisional-charter-ny-climate-museum


UN climate deal draft must be shorter, clearer – minister. 
Ministers working towards a new U.N. deal to tackle climate
change, due in December, need a negotiating text that is shorter
and more manageable than the current draft, the Marshall Islands'
foreign minister said after informal talks in Paris.
http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL5N10225A20150722


Corralling Carbon Before It Belches From Stack. So much soot
belched from the old power plant here that Mike Zeleny would
personally warn the neighbors. “If the wind was blowing in a
certain direction,” Mr. Zeleny said, “we’d call Mrs. Robinson
down the street and tell her not to put out her laundry.” That
coal plant is long gone, replaced by a much larger and cleaner
one along the vast Saskatchewan prairie. Sooty shirts and socks
are a thing of the past.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/science/corralling-carbon-before-it-belches-from-stack.html?_r=0


GMO rice could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, study says. Over
half the people on the planet eat rice as a staple food. Growing
rice emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas — to the tune of 25
million to 100 million metric tons of methane every year, a
notable contribution to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-gmo-rice-methane-emissions-20150722-story.html


Mayor Bill de Blasio pledges to cut New York carbon emissions by
40% by 2030. Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, has
pledged to reduce his city’s carbon footprint by 40% by 2030 in a
speech in which he praised Pope Francis – who he called the
“highest moral authority” – for calling on the world to take bold
action on climate change.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/21/mayor-bill-de-blasio-pledges-cut-new-york-carbon-emissions-2030


Fossil fuel emissions are making carbon dating more difficult.
Nearly three decades ago scientists were granted access to one of
the world’s most mystifying and sacred objects: the Shroud of
Turin. The ancient rectangle of linen, with its strange stains in
the shape of a tortured body, had long been venerated as the
burial garment of Christ.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/22/fossil-fuel-emissions-are-making-carbon-dating-more-difficult/


Fossil Fuel Emissions Are About To Throw Carbon Dating All Out Of
Whack. Those concerned with climate change spend a lot of time
arguing that it’s not just an environmental problem, but also an
economic, human rights, national security, and even mental health
issue. Now a new study has found that greenhouse gas emissions
could impact a range of unlikely fields due to their effect on
radiocarbon dating…
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/07/22/3683293/now-carbon-dating-could-suffer-from-fossil-fuel-emissions/


Industry-sponsored study claims emissions-reduction benefits from
almonds. California almonds have hidden greenhouse gas benefits
and could have more if state policies were changed to encourage
use of their byproducts, according to a pair of
industry-sponsored papers released this week in the Journal of
Industrial Ecology. California produces 80 percent of the world's
almond supply…
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/07/22/stories/1060022207 

White House conspicuously absent at cost of carbon hearing. After
years of clamoring for additional information about the
closed-door process that led to the Obama administration's social
cost of carbon estimates in 2010 and 2012, a House committee held
a hearing today to consider the controversial estimate without
including any administration witnesses.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/07/22/stories/1060022230 

Ontario premier slams prime minister's climate policies ahead of
national elections. The leader of Canada's biggest province
launched barbs at the country's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper,
over his climate policy and called for Canadians to turn the next
election into a referendum on global warming. Kathleen Wynne, the
Liberal premier of Ontario, in an interview said Harper was more
of an obstruction than a help when it came to addressing climate
change.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/07/22/stories/1060022184 

DROUGHT

Twice-a-week watering limit could be next for L.A. During four
years of drought, Los Angeles residents have conserved water so
diligently that even the most skeptical experts have been taken
by surprise. The savings have been significant enough to head off
the draconian restrictions — water rationing, mandatory pool
covers, big fines for wasters — that other cities have resorted
to.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-dwp-conserve-20150721-story.html


Santa Barbara to spend $55 million on desalination plant as
drought 'last resort'. Santa Barbara City Council members on
Tuesday unanimously approved spending $55 million to reactivate a
mothballed desalination plant that could provide the city with
nearly a third of its drinking water. The Charles E. Meyer
Desa0lination Facility was built during a drought in the 1990s
but closed in 1992 when desperation for water subsided.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-santa-barbara-reactivating-desalination-plant-20150721-story.html

http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2015/jul/22/santa-barbara-plans-drought-relief/
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/07/22/stories/1060022214  

Fires followed by floods: California faces dramatic climate year
with El Nino, drought.  Aswath of eastern California offered a
dramatic view in recent days of the powerful climate forces
buffeting the state. On Friday, an out-of-control brush fire —
fueled by four years of drought — destroyed 20 vehicles on
Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-el-nino-preview-20150721-story.html#page=1


Workers affected by California drought to get temporary
employment. Californians who can show they’ve lost their jobs
because of the drought might be eligible for temporary jobs
funded by the Department of Labor. The National Dislocated Worker
Grant funding will be $3 million initially, with a cap of $18
million. The money will mean employment for up to 1,000 workers
for up to six months with public and nonprofit…
http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=28725 

How El Nino will make California’s weather more like the East
Coast. Heat and humidity. The infamous East Coast duo has been
exported to the West, and climatologists predict Southern
California can expect more of the sticky combination through
October, followed by heavier precipitation powered by a
strengthening El Niño cooking the waters of the Pacific Ocean. 
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/environment-and-nature/20150721/how-el-nino-will-make-californias-weather-more-like-the-east-coast


DIESEL ACTIVITIES

Navistar fined $250,000 for violating California air emissions
regulations. Navistar Inc. paid $250,000 in penalties to the
California Air Resources Board (ARB) for failing to follow proper
testing procedures for one of its diesel exhaust filters, as
required by state law.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/07/20150722-navistar.html 

Mayor Lee Announces San Francisco to Use Renewable Diesel.  Mayor
Edwin M. Lee today announced that San Francisco will leapfrog its
efforts to protect the climate from harmful effects of diesel
emissions by phasing out the use of petroleum diesel in the
municipal fleet and replacing it with renewable diesel by the end
of this year.
http://california.realestaterama.com/2015/07/22/mayor-lee-announces-san-francisco-to-use-renewable-diesel-in-city-fleet-ID03825.html#sthash.SZ1a9G51.dpuf

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/07/20150722-sanfran.html 

FUELS

UPDATE 1-UAE to free up gasoline, diesel prices in major reform.
The United Arab Emirates said it would let domestic fuel prices
move more freely in a politically sensitive reform that could
save the government billions of dollars and begin reducing the
wealthy country's love of gas-guzzling cars with big engines.
Gasoline and diesel will be deregulated from Aug. 1 and a new
pricing policy…
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/22/emirates-gasoline-subsidies-idUSL5N1020DH20150722?feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssEnergyNews


California oil refineries' gross profits nearly double in 2015. 
As Los Angeles drivers shelled out more than $4 a gallon at the
pump in recent weeks, the state's oil refineries pocketed record
amounts of money — as much as $1.17 a gallon in gross profits.
From Jan. 1 to July 6, oil refineries almost doubled the typical
amount they collect on a gallon of gasoline, state data show.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gas-profits-20150722-story.html


Why airlines keep pushing biofuels: They have no choice. The
number of global fliers is expected to more than double in the
next two decades. In order to carry all those extra passengers,
airlines are turning to a technology very few can make work on a
large scale: converting trash into fuel.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2015/07/22/why-airlines-keep-pushing-biofuels-they-have-no-choice/30503929/


After gas went up 75.7 cents in Los Angeles County, how much has
it dropped? The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular
gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped 1.7 cents today to $4.245,
the sixth consecutive decrease following a seven-day stretch of
increases totaling 75.7 cents.
http://www.dailynews.com/business/20150722/after-gas-went-up-757-cents-in-los-angeles-county-how-much-has-it-dropped


Study: water quality suffers during California's ongoing drought.
California's drought is not only affecting the quantity of
drinking water available, but also the quality. The U.S.
Geological Survey says groundwater supplies in California are
becoming increasingly contaminated with trace elements including
arsenic and uranium. An estimated two-thirds of our drinking
water came…
http://kcbx.org/post/study-water-quality-suffers-during-californias-ongoing-drought


'Super-emitters' responsible for up to 40% of methane leaks –
study. More than $240 million worth of natural gas leaks from the
country's interstate pipeline network each year, according to new
research led by Colorado State University. Published yesterday in
Environmental Science & Technology, the paper is part of an
ongoing effort by the Environmental Defense Fund to study how
much methane…
http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2015/07/22/stories/1060022177  

VEHICLES

Toyota: Negative On Batteries Because It Has More Experience Than
Any Other Maker. When it comes to zero-emission vehicles, Toyota
has placed its flag firmly on the side of hydrogen fuel cells.
The company is now reviewing requests from potential buyers and
lessees of its 2016 Mirai fuel cell car, which is expected to hit
California roads before the end of the year.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1099228_toyota-negative-on-batteries-because-it-has-more-experience-than-any-other-maker


GREEN ENERGY

Manila Electric Considers Renewable Energy to Expand Generation.
Manila Electric Co. will consider renewable energy investments to
help build its power-plant portfolio as the Philippines’ largest
electricity retailer makes a renewed push into generation after
an absence of four decades. The undertaking “is intended to be
done by a separate business unit that will evaluate renewable
projects…
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-NRVCUT6K50XX01-22VIT43OBVBR4CB5BG7692ARV7


Study: Pepco is the country’s worst utility at connecting solar
power. Pepco, the power provider for parts of Maryland and the
District, takes more than a month longer to connect customers who
want to use solar power to the electric utility grid than many of
its counterparts around the country, according to a study
published Tuesday. The industry standard for interconnection, the
process that allows customers to operate their solar systems…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/07/21/study-pepco-is-the-countrys-worst-utility-at-connecting-solar-power/


Energy bill sails through subcommittee, but tough talks loom. A
House Energy and Commerce subcommittee unanimously approved a
comprehensive energy bill today, making clear the stripped-down
measure will serve as a vehicle for policy riders down the road.
In a voice vote, the Energy and Power Subcommittee advanced the
legislation that its sponsors say would modernize energy
infrastructure, boost energy jobs…
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/07/22/stories/1060022228 

MISCELLANEOUS

How emissions threaten humpback whales.  A new study finds ocean
acidification can dramatically change the structure of marine
ecosystems by affecting the ocean's smallest organisms. Carbon
dioxide emissions do more than just trap heat in the atmosphere;
CO2 also lowers the pH of the seawater, making it more acidic.
Now, research suggests that this acidification could drastically
transform the entire ocean food chain.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0722/How-emissions-threaten-humpback-whales


OPINIONS

What Happens After the Coal Plant Closes? Roger Titchenell, mayor
of Albright, West Virginia, a coal-plant town that lost its coal
plant, isn't angry at the Environmental Protection Agency. He's
not mad at FirstEnergy Corp. for closing the town's 63-year-old
plant, blaming new EPA regulations. Titchenell's frustration is
more mundane: He just wishes the company had paid for the new
park fence he says it promised when it left town.
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-07-22/what-happens-after-the-coal-plant-closes-


Road fees for electric cars make sense. Even though we need
better ways in the long run to ensure that all drivers help
maintain California’s potholed roads and highways, a temporary
$100 annual fee on electric vehicles is a good idea. It’s part of
a broader bill by state Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, that overall
needs more study, but the Legislature should move ahead with the
road fee for sure…
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/20150721/editorial-july-22-2015-bay-area-news-group-road-fees-for-electric-cars-make-sense


Pollution Bath. Here's a well-kept secret: Palo Alto residents
bathe their neighborhoods in air pollution. And they pay money to
have it done. The dirty deed is done weekly by their gardener. In
just 30 minutes, the gasoline-powered leaf blower produces as
much greenhouse gas as does driving a Ford Raptor truck to
Alaska.
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/square/2015/07/22/pollution-bath 

BLOGS

Republicans Are Upset That Martin O'Malley Cited Actual Science
On Climate Change And Conflict. The candidate links climate
change to Syrian conflict. Republicans deem it "absurd."
Republicans are outraged that Democratic presidential contender
Martin O'Malley cited actual scientific research in comments
about how climate change has contributed to internal conflicts in
Syria.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/omalley-climate-change-syria_55ae7ed0e4b07af29d56793c?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=Green§ion=green


This GOP Presidential Candidate Actually Believes in Climate
Change. But He Doesn't Want to Fix It. Ohio Gov. John Kasich
doesn't "want to overreact" to global warming. John Kasich, the
Republican governor of Ohio, is announcing his bid for the
presidency Tuesday. Unlike most of his GOP opponents, Kasich
actually believes that climate change is real.
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/john-kasich-climate-change


People Are Asking Google If Climate Change Is Real. They also
want to know how it can be stopped. This year is shaping up to be
the hottest on record. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration on Monday released temperature data for June,
ranking it as the warmest June in history. As temperatures remain
high, people are turning to Google to ask about climate change --
what it is, if it's real and how to stop it, among other queries.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/google-climate-change_55ae4b61e4b0a9b948527250





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