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ARB Newsclips for May 5, 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

California ponders expanding cap and trade to Brazil. With
feathers adorning his head and red paint decorating his face,
Haru Kuntanawa hardly looked like a potential business partner
for California’s oil industry when he addressed the crowd
gathered last week in a Sacramento conference room. But under a
plan state air regulators are considering, industries that emit
greenhouse gas pollution in California…
https://calmatters.org/articles/california-ponders-expanding-cap-and-trade-to-brazil/


AIR POLLUTION

San Joaquin Valley achieves decades-old ozone standard. Federal
and local officials are celebrating as the San Joaquin Valley
attained its first ozone standard – albeit one that dates back to
the late 1970s and that most of the country achieved by the
November 2010 deadline. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
announced Tuesday that the Valley attained the one-hour ozone…
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article75686887.html

Benefits of cycling and walking 'outweigh air pollution risk' in
cities. Study finds only 1% of cities in world have such high
levels of pollution that the activities could prove detrimental
to health. The health benefits of cycling and walking outweigh
the harm from inhaling air loaded with traffic fumes in all but
the world’s most polluted cities, according to a study.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/05/benefits-cycling-walking-outweigh-air-pollution-risk-cities


ALISO CANYON

Cost estimate more than doubles for Porter Ranch gas leak. The
estimated cost of a massive gas well blowout that spewed methane
uncontrollably for nearly four months and uprooted 8,000 Los
Angeles families has more than doubled to $665 million, Sempra
Energy announced Wednesday.  San Diego-based Sempra had estimated
costs of $330 million in its annual report in February, but that
was before courts forced its Southern California Gas Co. to
continue paying to house…
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/gas-376888-ocprint-estimated-methane.html


Porter Ranch homebuyers not told of gas field risk until after
leak. The boundary of Southern California Gas Company property,
where Aliso Canyon Storage Field is located, is seen as people
continue to be affected by a massive natural-gas leak in the
Porter Ranch neighborhood on Dec. 22, 2015. People buying homes
in Porter Ranch signed documents saying they'd been advised…
http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/05/05/60237/porter-ranch-homebuyers-not-told-of-gas-field-risk/
   

CLIMATE CHANGE

Global, local leaders vow hard work against temperature rise.
International leaders and local officials on Thursday pledged to
work hard to stem the rise of global temperatures by investing in
public transportation and electric cars, planting trees and
switching to solar energy. At a climate action summit, U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged governments…
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CLIMATE_INITIATIVES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
 

Exxon and FuelCell to study capturing carbon emissions. Exxon
Mobil and FuelCell Energy say that they will jointly work on
technology to reduce the cost of capturing carbon emissions from
power plants. The companies will try to develop technology that
uses carbonate fuel cells to generate power while capturing
carbon dioxide, which scientists say is the most prevalent
greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EXXON_FUELCELL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


OTHER RELATED STORIES
http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL2N180162 

Governments should study worst-case global warming scenarios,
former UN official says. A United Nations panel of scientists
seeking ways for nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees
Celsius should not dissuade governments from concentrating on
bleaker scenarios of higher temperatures as well, its former
chief said on Wednesday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL2N1812AP 
  
As climate change cooks the Arctic, East Coast blizzards may
become more likely. Two new studies add support to the idea that
climate warming in the Arctic and melting sea ice may be
increasingly laying the groundwork for blockbuster East Coast
snowstorms. It is well known that many of the fiercest East Coast
storms form when a massive area of high pressure develops over
Greenland…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/05/04/as-climate-change-cooks-the-arctic-east-coast-blizzards-may-become-more-likely/


Mayors from big cities around globe push climate initiatives. The
mayors of major cities from around the world are banding together
to fight global warming by investing in public transportation and
electric cars, planting trees and switching to solar energy. That
announcement was made by the mayors of Paris, Montreal and
Atlanta at a climate change summit Thursday in Washington.
http://www.modbee.com/news/business/article75761807.html#storylink=cpy


26 ways climate change could affect your health. The term
"universal agreement" is almost an oxymoron given how
infrequently everyone can agree on something. However, that's
exactly what the UN Climate Change Conference in December of 2015
hoped to achieve - a universal agreement on climate, from all
nations of the world. 
Unless you live under a rock, this probably isn't the first time
you've heard of climate change…
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/general-news/20160505/26-ways-climate-change-could-cffect-your-health

Exxon Mobil Backs FuelCell Effort to Advance Carbon Capture
Technology. Now it has one. In an agreement announced on
Thursday, Exxon Mobil said it had tightened an existing
relationship with FuelCell in hopes of taking the technology from
the lab to the market.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/science/exxon-mobil-backs-fuelcell-effort-to-advance-carbon-capture-technology.html?_r=1


Exxon and FuelCell to Study Capturing Carbon Emissions.  Exxon
and FuelCell Energy will jointly develop technology to reduce the
cost of capturing carbon emissions from power plants. Shares of
FuelCell jumped 8 Thursday. The companies will pursue technology
that uses carbonate fuel cells to generate power…
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/05/05/business/ap-us-exxon-fuelcell.html?_r=0


Early Estimates Suggest EU Energy CO2 Emissions Increased In
2015. Early estimates from the European Union suggest that CO2
emissions from energy use increased in 2015, compared to 2014.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, published
early estimates (PDF) for CO2 emissions from European Union (EU)
energy use for 2015…
http://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/05/early-estimates-suggest-eu-co2-emissions-increased-2015/


First US climate refugees get $48 million to move. A
first-of-its-kind, $48 million federal grant aims to move the
entire community of the sinking Isle de Jean Charles, La., to a
drier place. The residents of Isle de Jean Charles, La., will
soon become America's first climate refugees.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/0503/First-US-climate-refugees-get-48-million-to-move


In a changing climate, it's survival of the oldest, say
scientists. Older species have survived for millions of years for
a reason, say a team of Swiss scientists. These same factors that
help them avoid extinction thus far will prove useful during
future climate change. The world's oldest species aren't going
anywhere, according to a team of researchers…
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0504/In-a-changing-climate-it-s-survival-of-the-oldest-say-scientists


Remarks by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim at Climate
Action Summit 2016. Ladies and gentleman. First, I’d like to
thank the organizers of Climate Action 2016 for bringing all of
us together. I’d also like to congratulate the UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the historic climate agreement
signing in New York. I’d also like to congratulate Minister Royal
and the French Government for their leadership in Paris.
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/speech/2016/05/05/remarks-world-bank-group-president-jim-yong-kim-climate-action-summit


DROUGHT

American Canyon lifts drought restrictions. Successful water
conservation and good news from state water officials prompted
the City Council on Tuesday to rescind the water-use restrictions
adopted last year during the drought. Effectively immediately,
residents are no longer limited to watering their lawns and
gardens to just two days a week.
http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/american-canyon-lifts-drought-restrictions/article_35b9b452-556f-5143-bff5-c8d459ee308c.html

When in drought: the California farmers who don’t water their
crops. Dry farming forgoes modern irrigation and, farmers say,
produces much tastier crops. In a drought-stricken state, should
others follow suit? There’s something different about Will
Bucklin’s grape vines. At first it’s hard to notice, but a drive
through northern California’s Sonoma Valley, past waves of green,
manicured vineyards, makes it clear.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/05/dry-farming-california-drought-wine-crops


State rallies on drought water conservation. Homes and businesses
improve water-savings numbers for the first time in months. Water
conservation in San Diego County and across the state bounced
back substantially in March after a weak showing during several
previous months.  On average, California’s urban water users
saved a robust 24.3 percent in March…
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/may/04/sd-me-emergency-drought-conservation-improves/


DIESEL ACTIVITIES

State awards millions for project to clean up dirty trucks that
serve Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles. The State of California
Tuesday announced it is awarding $23.6 million to the South Coast
Air Quality Management District for a statewide “zero-emission”
demonstration project to clean up dirty trucks servicing ports
and rail yards along busy freight corridors. The funds, from the
California Climate Investments program, will be used to reduce
smog-forming pollutant…
http://www.presstelegram.com/article/LB/20160504/NEWS/160509836 

California to award $23.6M for zero-emission drayage trucks at
seaports; BYD, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo. The State of
California is awarding $23.6 million to the South Coast Air
Quality Management District (SCAQMD) for a statewide
zero-emission drayage truck development and demonstration
project. This is the first large-scale demonstration of
zero-emission Class 8 trucks that involves major manufacturers…
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/05/20160505-zevtrucks.html 

FUELS

Soaring U.S. Gasoline Demand Not Enough to Stop Supply Glut (1).
The biggest increase in U.S. gasoline demand in almost 40 years
hasn’t been enough to keep storage tanks from filling up.
Gasoline imports into the U.S. East Coast are near the highest in
seven months and American refiners have maximized gasoline output
as diesel margins falter.
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-O6O54S6K50XW01-31O95I37HJPTRJLA894FM1616O


Cheap gas means Southern California travelers burning more of it.
Low gasoline prices mean that a lot of travelers will be hitting
the roads of Southern California this summer, according to a AAA
survey. Nationally, 69 percent of families are planning road
trips within the next year, according to the national automotive
and travel organization.
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/business/20160504/cheap-gas-means-southern-california-travelers-burning-more-of-it


San Diego County’s methane problem visible for first time. For
the first time, it’s possible to visualize where powerful,
invisible methane gas hovers over the landscape of San Diego
County. If we are to limit disruption from climate change, it’s
essential to stop losing methane – which is also a valuable fuel
– to the sky. That can’t happen without pinpointing and measuring
escapes of gas.
http://inewsource.org/2016/05/04/san-diego-methane/ 

VEHICLES

Tesla Plans to Put Out 500,000 Electric Cars in 2018. Tesla
Motors Inc. said it was stepping up production plans for its
upcoming Model 3 mass-market sedan and would build a total of
500,000 all-electric vehicles in 2018, two years ahead of
schedule, but warned that spending will ramp up in tandem. The
company, which three months ago aimed to make a net profit in the
final quarter of this year…
http://www.newsweek.com/tesla-2018-500000-cars-all-electric-model-3-model-s-455774?rx=us


Updated 2016 Tesla Model S also gets new 75-kWh battery option.
The 2016 Tesla Model S electric car will soon offer the
75-kilowatt-hour battery pack that debuted recently on the Model
X crossover. The addition was supposed to be announced later this
week, but was revealed in an update of the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) website Tuesday.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1103782_updated-2016-tesla-model-s-also-gets-new-75-kwh-battery-option


CAFE standards will bring consumer savings – report. Consumers
will see significant savings from buying cars and trucks that
comply with federal fuel economy standards that take effect in
2025, even if gas prices remain at record lows. A new report on
the upcoming corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards says
most buyers will see savings of about $3,000 per car…
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2016/05/05/stories/1060036768

Demand for Model 3 pushes Tesla to accelerate manufacture plans.
Tesla Motors will accelerate production of all its electric
vehicles, pushed by heady demand for its planned midpriced car,
the company said yesterday. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla, best
known as a maker of luxury EVs, said it's on track to start
making the mainstream Model 3 in 2017. In addition, because of
the clamor for that car…
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/05/05/stories/1060036753 

GREEN ENERGY

GOP states benefiting from shift to wind and solar energy. If
there's a War on Coal, it's increasingly clear which side is
winning. Wind turbines and solar panels accounted for more than
two-thirds of all new electric generation capacity added to the
nation's grid in 2015, according to a recent analysis by the U.S.
Department of Energy. The remaining third was largely new power
plants fueled by natural gas…
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_COAL_VS_RENEWABLES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
.

New federal rule would permit thousands of eagle deaths. The
Obama administration is revising a federal rule that allows
wind-energy companies to operate high-speed turbines for up to 30
years, even if means killing or injuring thousands of federally
protected bald and golden eagles. Under the plan announced
Wednesday, wind companies and other power providers could …
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WIND_ENERGY_EAGLE_DEATHS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


China solar equipment firm warns may miss bond payment.  A
Chinese solar equipment firm, Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy
Resources Co Ltd, said it may be miss payment on a 1.4 billion
yuan ($215.2 million) five-year note maturing on May 12. The
unlisted firm, a subsidiary of New York-listed Yingli Green
Energy Holdings Co Ltd, cited consecutive losses as the reason
for the potential default.
http://www.reuters.com/article/china-debt-yingli-idUSL3N18218A?feedType=RSS&feedName=marketsNews


Cameron Urged by 20 Tory Lawmakers to Cut CO2 57% by 2030. U.K.
Prime Minister David Cameron should endorse ambitious goals for
cutting Britain’s carbon-dioxide emissions as part of efforts to
limit global warming and spur clean-energy investment, 20
lawmakers in his party said. Cameron should secure agreement
across all ministries to pursue cuts of 57 percent below 1990
levels in the four decades through 2030…
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-O6NRO06JTSEH01-29BHVFTBFCGOJIMFSOF4HAJ3LL

US Energy Storage Up, Coal Down, Down, Down. In an interesting
duo of energy stories this week, Arizona is getting two new
innovative energy storage systems while Illinois is this close to
losing up to 2300 megawatts of coal-fired power plant capacity.
The news illustrates how quickly the country is transitioning to
a low carbon economy.
http://cleantechnica.com/2016/05/05/energy-storage-coal/
 
MISCELLANEOUS

State must brace for big water supply changes. California faces
major changes in its water supply. The sooner everyone realizes
these changes are coming, the better the state will be able to
cope with what lies ahead. Today’s changes are driven by efforts
to end groundwater depletion, by sea level rise and loss of
snowpack, salts and nitrate accumulating in groundwater,…
http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article75608522.html#storylink=cpy


Yolo DA, West Sacramento resolve hazardous waste investigation.
Yolo Superior Court Judge Timothy L. Fall has ordered the city of
West Sacramento to pay $74,667 in costs and supplemental
environmental project as part of an agreement reached over
hazardous waste handling allegations, District Attorney Jeff
Reisig announced this week.
http://www.davisenterprise.com/local-news/yolo-da-west-sacramento-resolve-hazardous-waste-investigation/


OPINIONS

Global warming. The drought conditions presently distressing
Southern California are, I think, largely a consequence of global
warming. Earth’s weather is determined substantially by
atmospheric activity at or near the Earth’s surface most
directly, thus with greatest effect. There, wherever there is
water, massive evaporation results.
http://www.vcstar.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/Global-warming-378188201.html


Is there a right way to talk about climate change? In three
different tests, the authors of a study found that 'emphasizing
collective responsibility for the causes of climate change' –
rather than focusing on personal guilt – increased monetary
donations to environmental causes. Framing climate change as a
collective, rather than individual, problem can make Americans
care more about the issue…
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2016/0505/Is-there-a-right-way-to-talk-about-climate-change


After 10 Years, 'An Inconvenient Truth' Is Still Inconvenient. In
2006, six years after his presidential bid, Al Gore launched the
documentary An Inconvenient Truth. The movie made headlines
around the world, raising awareness of global warming and its
predicted dire consequences for the planet and society. The movie
did more than this, though, as it also politicized global warming
to an unprecedented level.
http://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2016/05/04/476717308/after-10-years-an-inconvenient-truth-is-still-inconvenient?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr


Clean Power what? Most Americans haven't heard of climate rule.
The Obama administration's Clean Power Plan, considered by many
to be the most far-reaching climate regulation ever set forth by
the U.S. government, has barely registered in the minds of most
American voters. A new national poll found 7 in 10 voters have
heard "just a little or nothing at all" about EPA's regulation to
rein in carbon emissions from power plants.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2016/05/05/stories/1060036746 

BLOGS

Swearengin, Arambula make pitch for more cap-and-trade dollars.
With newly minted Democratic Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula by her
side and Republican Jim Patterson sitting on the committee, Mayor
Ashley Swearengin on Wednesday made her case to state legislators
that economically disadvantaged Fresno does not get enough
cap-and-trade money from the state.
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article75707192.html#storylink=cpy


Skepticism about climate change may be linked to concerns about
economy. Americans may be more likely to accept the scientific
evidence of human-caused climate change and its potentially
devastating effects if they believe the economy is strong and
stable, according to new research published by the American
Psychological Association. The findings may help explain why
many…
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160504152004.htm 

Why Indigenous People Should Care About California’s
Cap-and-Trade Program. 
The US state of California has slashed greenhouse-gas emissions
while powering one of North America’s strongest economies,
largely by embracing a system of “cap-and-trade” that promotes
fair and efficient emission reductions across the energy sector.

As the state expands its programs, policymakers are considering a
provision…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/forest-trends/why-indigenous-people-sho_b_9845928.html
  

The Transition to Renewable Energy Is at the Tipping Point — But
We Need to Help It Go Faster. The world is approaching a tipping
point, with renewable energy taking over from the fossil fuel
industry. We now need to come together to give it a last push to
help deliver the zero-carbon economy that world leaders agreed to
at the recent UN climate talks in Paris (COP21).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nigel-topping/the-transition-to-renewab_b_9845540.html


Wind and solar a boon for the U.S. states railing against them
most, report says If there’s a War on Coal, it’s increasingly
clear which side is winning. Wind turbines and solar panels
accounted for more than two-thirds of all new electric generation
capacity added to the nation’s grid in 2015, according to a
recent analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy. The remaining
third was largely new power plants fueled by natural gas…
http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/sustainability/wind-solar-benefiting-u-s-states-fight-report-says-167550/




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