What's New List Serve Post Display

ARB Newsclips for July 19, 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.

TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT REPORT (TAR)

Regulators Defend Obama Administration’s Fuel-Economy Standards.
Report likely to kick off battle between the government and auto
makers over mileage targets. Government regulators said Monday
that U.S. auto makers aren’t on track to meet the Obama
administration’s ambitious fuel-economy standards…
http://www.wsj.com/articles/regulators-defend-obama-administrations-fuel-economy-standards-1468861404
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/us-fuel-efficiency-goals-could-fall-short-by-2025-federal-report-finds/2016/07/18/43660cec-4cf1-11e6-a7d8-13d06b37f256_story.html


EPA Study Bolsters Keeping 2025 U.S. Fuel Economy Targets. A
highly anticipated report by U.S. regulators buttresses calls for
staying the course on fuel economy targets that automakers say
are unworkable and want eased. Based on current trends, the
average car would get between 50 and 52.6 miles per gallon by
2025, falling short of the original projection of 54.5…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-18/epa-study-said-to-support-keeping-2025-u-s-fuel-economy-targets

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-autos-idUSKCN0ZY22M 
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-cafe-standards-20160718-snap-story.html

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article90287362.html
http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article90367547.html 
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20160718_ap_b211d8ae0d514189946fa92df524eac5.html
https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/07/18/fuel-efficiency-goals-falling-short-report-says/OALBgUi7yxPYrgyqwoEsuN/story.html

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/07/19/us-says-autos-can-meet-2025-fuel-economy-targets/

http://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/failing-to-achieve-annual-fuel-economy-targets-will-soon-cost-automakers-way-more/

http://www.govtech.com/fs/Feds-Impressed-With-Automakers-Fuel-Efficiency.html

http://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/aluminum-steel-associations-fuel-economy-standards/
 
http://gas2.org/2016/07/19/epa-takes-dive-cafe-standard/ 
https://eponline.com/articles/2016/07/19/fuel-economy-progress-on-track.aspx?admgarea=ht.air

http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/586264/us_epa_us_dot_californias_air_resources_board_issue_draft_technical_assessment_report_of_greenhou.html

http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2016/07/us_regulators_could_lower_fuel.html

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2016/07/19/are-u-s-fuel-economy-goals-realistic.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/news/feds-probe-fca-regulators-goals-fuel-economy-article-1.2716141

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/epa-relaxes-54-5-mpg-corporate-average-fuel-economy-2025/

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601929/cheap-gas-and-big-cars-are-killing-obamas-fuel-economy-push/


EPA: 2025 target of 54.5 mpg may not be met; SUVs, trucks, cheap
gas to blame. A pair of U.S. federal agencies said yesterday that
while automakers had complied with the first five years of
stricter fuel-efficiency laws, the industry seemed unlikely to
meet 2025 targets for improving gas mileage. Rather than hitting
the projected 54.5-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy…
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1105064_epa-2025-target-of-54-5-mpg-may-not-be-met-suvs-trucks-cheap-gas-to-blame


Booming SUV sales are undermining the government's fuel-economy
targets. The U.S. government says the nation's cars and trucks
are well on their way to meeting fuel economy and emissions
standards set for 2025. But if gas prices stay low and consumers
keep buying less-efficient vehicles like SUVs, the government
could lower those standards. Automakers argue that meeting the
requirements is difficult.
http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-us-says-fuel-economy-likely-wont-meet-2025-targets-2016-7


NEWS RELEASES ON TAR

North American Steel Industry Comments On Release Of Draft
Technical Assessment Report Of Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions
And Fuel Economy Standards. The Steel Market Development
Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel
Institute (AISI), commented today on the release of the draft
Technical Assessment Report (TAR) by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Transportation and
California's Air Resources Board.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/north-american-steel-industry-comments-001600337.html;_ylt=AwrTcdlzcI5X3ogAMKYnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByNWU4cGh1BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--

http://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/icct-draft-technical-assessment-report-shows-u-s-2025-light-duty-vehicle-ghgcafe-standards-firmly-track/

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-american-steel-industry-comments-on-release-of-draft-technical-assessment-report-of-vehicle-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-fuel-economy-standards-300300350.html

http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/obama-administration-publishes-technical-assessment-report-vehicle-efficiency-and-emissions-standard

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press-release/fuel-economy-technical-assessment

http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/586264/us_epa_us_dot_californias_air_resources_board_issue_draft_technical_assessment_report_of_greenhou.html
http://www.southcarolinasc.com/2016/07/north-american-steel-business-feedback-on-release-of-draft-technical-assessment-report-of-car-greenhouse-fuel-emissions-fuel-economy-standards/

http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/07/obama-administration-publishes-technical-assessment-report-vehicle-efficiency


CAP AND TRADE

Canada to Introduce National Carbon Price in 2016, Minister Says.
Canada will have a national price on carbon emissions by the end
of this year, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says. The
federal government will publish an emissions reduction plan this
fall that could include expanded, standardized emissions…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-15/canada-to-introduce-national-carbon-price-in-2016-minister-says?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=3108fc8ab8-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-3108fc8ab8-327747457


Carbon tax of Swiss flights legal says EU top court advisor. The
European Union is within its rights to apply carbon taxes to
flights between Switzerland and the regional bloc even though
flights from other countries outside the area are exempt for now,
a legal advisor to the EU's top court said on Tuesday. The
European Court of Justice is considering a case brought…
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-carbon-court-swiss-idUSKCN0ZZ1M3


AIR POLLUTION

Beijing says its notoriously awful air quality improved
significantly in the first half of the year. Beijing's
notoriously awful air quality improved significantly in the first
half of the year, with actions taken to curb the city's heavy
pollution having a positive effect, officials in the Chinese
capital said. Concentrations of microscopic PM2.5 - small,
inhalable particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs…
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_CHINA_AIR_POLLUTION_ASOL-?SITE=WIJAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Fracking may worsen asthma for nearby residents, study says.
Fracking may worsen asthma in children and adults who live near
sites where the oil and gas drilling method is used, according to
an 8-year study in Pennsylvania. The study found that asthma
treatments were as much as four times more common in patients
living closer to areas with more or bigger active wells than
those living far away.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_FRACKING_ASTHMA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Ships worsen air pollution over China, killing thousands: study.
A boom in shipping is aggravating air pollution in China and
other nations in East Asia, causing thousands of deaths a year in
a region with eight of the world's 10 biggest container ports,
scientists said on Monday. Often overlooked compared to cars and
factories that are far bigger causes of smog…
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-shipping-idUSKCN0ZY1TC

Oil refiners agree to pay $425 million to reduce air pollution in
the West. Concluding a long legal climb to cleaner air, the
federal government Monday announced a record $425-million
settlement with two oil refiners that is expected to reduce
pollution emissions in the West by almost 43,000 tons annually.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-western-air-quality-20160718-snap-story.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-pollution-tesoro-idUSKCN0ZY278


Metrolink unveils new locomotives that could help improve the
region's air. The Metrolink commuter railroad on Monday unveiled
the first of 40 clean-air locomotives that will replace its aging
fleet of diesel engines in an effort to reduce harmful exhaust
emissions across the region. The so-called Tier 4 locomotives,
which cost about $280 million, are the cleanest available in the
nation…
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-metrolink-engines-20160718-snap-story.html


Shipping air pollution causes 24,000 deaths a year in east Asia –
study. Ship traffic is often overlooked compared to
smog-producing cars and factories, but it has more than doubled
off east Asia since 2005. A boom in shipping is aggravating air
pollution in China and other nations in east Asia, causing
thousands of deaths a year in a region with eight of the world’s
10 biggest container ports, scientists have said.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/19/shipping-air-pollution-causing-24000-deaths-a-year-in-east-asia-study


EPA Updates Standards to Reduce Methane Pollution from Landfills.
Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized
long-overdue revisions to national emission standards and
emission guidelines for new and existing municipal solid waste
landfills. These standards will reduce harmful air pollution from
landfills, which are our nation’s third largest source of…
http://www.theenergycollective.com/edfclimate411/2383182/epa-updates-standards-to-reduce-methane-pollution-from-landfills


CLIMATE CHANGE

El Nino is gone, but Earth's record heat is sticking around.
Federal scientists say Earth's record 2016 heat is now dancing
near levels that a world agreement is trying to avoid. The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says globally,
June was the 14th straight record hot month, with Earth averaging
61.52 degrees (16.4 degrees Celsius). That is 1.62 degrees (0.9
degrees Celsius) warmer than average.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SCI_RECORD_HEAT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Soaring Temperatures Will Make It Too Hot to Work, UN Warns.
Searing temperatures caused by climate change may cost global
economies more than $2 trillion by 2030, restricting working
hours in some of the poorest parts of the world, according to
United Nations research. As many as 43 countries, especially
those in Asia, including China, Indonesia, and Malaysia…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-19/soaring-temperatures-will-make-it-too-hot-to-work-un-warns?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=a232c7538a-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-a232c7538a-327494049
 
The ocean is as warm as bathwater. The ocean along the San Diego
County coastline feels like bath water. Sea surface temperatures
are in the mid-70s in many places -- or several degrees above
normal. There were similar conditions last summer. Forecasters
attributed that warmth, in part, to "the blob," a large pool of
warm water that extended from Canada to Mexico.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jul/18/ocean-warm-bathwater/


GOP divided over $500M for climate fund. Republicans are divided
over the future of a major international climate change program.
The House this week adopted an amendment to block the Obama
administration from providing support to the Green Climate Fund,
a program to send money from rich nations to developing countries
looking to counter the impacts of climate change.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/287984-gop-divided-over-500m-for-climate-fund?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=3108fc8ab8-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-3108fc8ab8-327747457


The British Climate Department Is Gone — But It Could Have More
Power Than Ever. The fallout from Brexit continues. The pound has
hit record lows against the dollar. Former Prime Minister David
Cameron is out, and a new administration of Leave campaigners is
in, headed by Theresa May. In her first day of office, Prime
Minister May scratched “Climate Change” from the title of the
former Department of Energy and Climate Change…
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/07/18/3798793/turmoil-in-british-climate-department/?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=a232c7538a-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-a232c7538a-327494049


The Hottest Cities in U.S. vs. the Fastest Warming. Searing heat
is the signature of climate change, and the scorching summer
temperatures blanketing much of the nation this week are exactly
what we should expect in an ever warming world. With the mercury
rising, a host of Midwestern cities are forecast to see their
hottest weather of the year.
http://www.climatecentral.org/news/fastest-warming-cities-20535 

New York's remodelled Governors Island has built-in climate
change defense. Amid rising seas, a park on the island uses Dutch
ingenuity to protect itself while maintaining its beauty – with
barely a seawall to be seen. The Netherlands may have surrendered
what is now New York to the English 352 years ago, but if
America’s largest city is to withstand the inexorable rise of the
seas in the years to come..
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/19/governors-island-remodelled-climate-change-new-york?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=a232c7538a-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-a232c7538a-327494049


Retreating glaciers a sign of Alaska’s major meltdown. This
summer’s record-breaking temperatures hasten glacier, permafrost
melt.  In late June, the Mendenhall Glacier was melting fast –
and the lake below was rising. Reports of the water level were
coming in every hour to the office of John Neary, director of the
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.
http://www.hcn.org/articles/alaskan-glicaer-thaw-far-outpacing-previous-summers?utm_source=Inside+Climate+News&utm_campaign=a232c7538a-Today_s_Climate12_10_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29c928ffb5-a232c7538a-327494049
 

VW RECALL

Volkswagen Scandal Reaches All the Way to the Top, Lawsuits Say.
Three attorneys general on Tuesday directly challenged
Volkswagen’s defense over its emissions deception, calling the
decision to thwart pollution tests an orchestrated fraud that
lasted more than a decade, involved dozens of engineers and
managers and reached deep into the company’s boardroom. The
accusations, leveled in lawsuits by New York, Maryland and
Massachusetts, contradict Volkswagen’s portrayal of the
deception…
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/20/business/international/volkswagen-ny-attorney-general-emissions-scandal.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=2


GREEN ENERGY

How Renewable Energy Is Blowing Climate Change Efforts Off
Course. Is the global effort to combat climate change,
painstakingly agreed to in Paris seven months ago, already going
off the rails? Germany, Europe’s champion for renewable energy,
seems to be having second thoughts about its ambitious push to
ramp up its use of renewable fuels for power generation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/20/business/energy-environment/how-renewable-energy-is-blowing-climate-change-efforts-off-course.html?_r=0


Federal effort launched to expand solar power in communities. The
Obama administration says it wants to help middle-class and
low-income communities put solar panels on their roofs. Officials
say a plan launched Tuesday would allow homeowners to install
solar panels and make other energy upgrades with no upfront
costs, but they will gradually pay back the cost through their
property tax bills.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jul/19/federal-effort-launched-to-expand-solar-power-in/


OPINIONS

Water from oil production is perfectly safe. Californians are
known for their dedication to safe, fresh produce. So the media
provides a steady stream of information regarding the state of
the industry. However, false information is able to travel
quickly when residents take outspoken fiction as fact – which is
happening with recent concerns regarding the use of recycled…
http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/soapbox/article90367097.html#storylink=cpy


Poor farmers must not be the losers in the fight against climate
change. We need real action to cut emissions, and cannot afford
to double down on false solutions such as food-based biofuels
that are bad for people and bad for the planet, says one policy
analyst.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Bite/2016/0719/Poor-farmers-must-not-be-the-losers-in-the-fight-against-climate-change


Toward A No Carbon Nation. The negative impacts of climate change
are already upon us, but there are alternatives to the energy
sources that caused them. In the space of 94 minutes, Peter
Sitcom Bromley’s documentary attempts to give a comprehensive
overview of pathways toward a No Carbon Nation. We cannot
continue to rely on fossil fuels to provide 80% of the planet’s
energy.
http://cleantechnica.com/2016/07/19/toward-no-carbon-nation/ 

Climate Change Advocacy: The Good, The Bad, The Dumb. John
Schwartz’ excellent long New York Times article on divisions in
the environmental movement provides an enlightening view on what
is right and wrong with current climate change advocacy.  (I’ll
address the problems with ‘denialism’ in another post.)  Although
there are a number of issues in contention, it primarily boils
down to some wanting to address the problem…
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellynch/2016/07/19/climate-change-advocacy-the-good-the-bad-the-dumb/#8b5c4d61215c


Report Hints That Feds Might Keep 54.5 MPG CAFE Target. The
federal agencies reviewing the country’s corporate average fuel
economy (CAFE) targets are pleasantly surprised by the amount of
fuel-saving technology in modern vehicles, and hint that the
target they decided on back in 2011 is still doable. Those
agencies just released a technical assessment report (TAR) to
guide the review process.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/07/reports-hints-54-5-mpg-cafe-target/


Climate change brings economic impact. As San Diegans, we love
our regional quality of life. From our beaches and bays to our
mountains, deserts and mild climate, all contribute to our
wonderful Southern California lifestyle. Yet as summer moves into
full swing, meteorologists predict a hot, dry one for the San
Diego region.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jul/15/climate-economic-impact/


U.S. Regulators Seem To Soften On Fuel Economy Requirements -- Or
Did They? Will U.S. regulators step away from the expected fuel
economy target of 54.5 mpg for 2025 model-year vehicles, as
established in 2012?  Several media reports speculated as such
after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration and California Air Resources Board
released their Draft Technical Assessment Report on Monday.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniebrinley/2016/07/19/us-regulators-appear-to-soften-on-fuel-economy-requirements-but-did-they/#39d557a44a6c


BLOGS

Climate research: How meltwater from the ice sheets disturbed the
climate 10,000 years ago. Today, a negative correlation is
observed in the amount of rainfall in north-western Africa and
north-western Europe. If a humid winter climate prevails in
north-western Europe, the climate in north-western Africa is dry.
Due to melting ice sheets, this correlation was reversed in the
early Holocene period; this resulted in both regions being humid
respectively dry at the same time.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160719105413.htm



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