All New Cars in CA Have Environmental Impact Labels
As of January 1, every 2009 model year and newer car sold in California now carries a label that ranks that vehicle’s environmental impact. The label can be found under the hood on the emissions control information label. There are two rankings (global warming score and smog score) on a scale from 1 to 10, with five being the average score in the state. The more environmentally friendly a car is, the higher the ranking.
Check out this link to see the top 10 cleanest cars.
Lake Tahoe Focuses on Climate Change Initiatives
Underlining the fact that people tend to focus on issues that effect them personally, the Lake Tahoe region in the Sierra Nevadas is joining the fight against climate change. Like Aspen, the Lake Tahoe area derives much of its revenue from snow-related tourism. With climate change threatening the very snow pack that supports these activities, Lake Tahoe is implementing a comprehensive plan to help reduce emissions.
Government agencies in the Tahoe Basin are integrating climate change policies into their immediate plans. The “Climate Change Action Plan,” being developed by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), aims to increase energy efficiencies and to improve the health of the lake itself. Goals ranging from LEED certified buildings, to solar panel installations, to cleaner transportation initiatives, are all part of the plan.
Dennis Oliver of the TRPA sums up the situation:
“There’s a of focus on the lake. After all, the lake is the reason we’re here. Short of going to Beijing and having them retire their coal-fired factories, Tahoe’s goals are simple: the management of building codes and emissions.”
California Beaches Threatened By Climate Changes and Human Activity
A combination of rising sea levels and human activity have caused many of California’s iconic beaches to come under duress. In the last century, sea levels rose 8 inches along California’s coasts, which increased erosion of beach sands. Current predictions of a 2-3 foot rise in ocean levels this century will dramatically expand this erosion.
Additionally, in some cases, human built structures like breakwaters have acted to disrupt the national migration of sand up and down the coast, which can exacerbate the problem.
Despite Recent Protests, Farm Industry’s Best Interest is to Regulate Emissions
While we understand why most businesses are automatically opposed to an emissions tax for financial reasons, there are certain industries that really should think twice about their opposition. We’ve previously identified the skiing industry as a business sector that has a direct interest in fighting climate change. Another sector, which is only slightly less obvious, is the farming industry.
A recent study by Stanford researchers found that global warming will likely put an enormous strain on California’s agricultural industry. More frequent heat waves, rising temperatures and a drier climate, will put extreme strains on the state’s water supplies and energy systems, both of which are essential to growing.
The study, which used climate scenarios developed by the IPCC, predicted that in the second half of this century, average temperatures will increase approximately 4 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. READ MORE
San Francisco Taxis to use Pickens’ Natural Gas to Fuel Fleet
Yellow Cab, the largest taxi company in San Francisco has awarded a 10 year contract to Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) to its recently expanded natural gas station near the intersection of Cesar Chavez St. and Interstate 280, a few miles south of downtown.
Yellow Cab, which operates 100 natural gas powered taxis, will also be opening this station, located at 1200 Mississippi St., to the public 24/7. The station is equipped to dispense 1,000 gallons of CNG per hour, which would make it the largest CNG taxi station in the U.S.
Clean Energy Fuels Corp., founded by T. Boone Pickens, runs 170 CNG stations in North America. It also operates two liquid natural gas (LNG) production plants, one in Willis, TX and one in Boron, CA, with a currently combined capacity of 260,000 of LNG per day. CEFC also owns and operates a landfill gas facility in Dallas, TX that produces renewable methane gas or biogas.
The Colorado River, and the Civilization Dependent Upon it, Faces Dramatic Threats
Although climate change takes most of the headlines nowadays, the environmental threats we are facing are even more widespread. While climate change will exacerbate many of these problems, there are a number of other external issues that must also be urgently addressed.
One of those environmental disasters that is being worsened by climate change, but which also is being worsened by external events, is the destruction of the Colorado River.
SignOnSanDiego expands on this crisis:
The Colorado River has endured drought, climate changes, pollution, ecological damage from dams and battles by 7 states to draw more water. Now energy companies are sucking up the river’s water to support increased development of oil, natural gas and uranium deposits. Yet, the river must provide drinking water for 1 out of 12 Americans and 15% of our crops. READ MORE
Ethanol stations coming online as gas prices sit well below E85
By the end of February, there will be 29 new E85 ethanol stations open near Sacramento, CA. These stations are part of a $3.5 million project by the state to make the relatively scarce alternative fuel more available to drivers. The intent of the plan was to create an “ethanol island” where enough E85 would be regionally available to encourage drivers to use flex-fuel cars and fill up with E85.
However, now that these E85 pumps are opening, the price of gas has plummeted below ethanol and station owners are concerned that drivers will opt for the less expensive choice. With ethanol nearly twice as expensive as gas right now, it is unlikely drivers will choose to fill their flex-fuel cars with E85.
The original intent of the government program was to help reduce greenhouse gases and dependency on foreign oil. Of course, even under ideal price conditions, the former is debatable and the latter is unrealistic– since it is unclear whether ethanol is actually good for the environment, and without advancements in cellulosic techniques, we’re replacing one unsustainable situation with another.
California passes toughest diesel emissions standards in U.S.
The California Air Resources Board did pass the diesel emissions standards on Friday. The standards will be the toughest in the nation and will require extensive retrofitting of heavy diesel trucks and buses. Some older models will have to be phased out entirely.
Around a million trucks and buses will be retrofitted or replaced. Retrofits will require smog filters or cleaner engine technology beginning in 2011. By 2014, all trucks and buses must have soot filters. By 2023, no truck or bus will be allowed to be more than 13 years old unless it has special equipment to cut nitrogen oxide emissions.
This approval comes in the same week that California also passed the most stringent greenhouse gas emissions laws in the nation. Reducing diesel soot emissions will improve human health, air quality, and also fight climate change.
California to implement strictest emissions standards in U.S.
On Thursday, the California Air Resources Board in a unanimous vote, passed the largest greenhouse emissions plan in the United States. The plan will result in a 15% decrease in emissions over the next 12 years, with the goal to lower them to 1990 levels.
California, which is the world’s eight largest economy and accounts for 1.5% of global emissions, will be implementing widespread regulation of sectors including transportation, building efficiency, landfills, and electricity generation. Among other requirements, one-third of all electricity will be required to be generated from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal. READ MORE
NASA: Reducing smog and soot can have immediate impact on climate change
A study indicating that cutting smog and soot has an immediate effect on climate change was released this week by NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Sciences. The study comes at an interesting time, since the California Air Resources Board is voting today to dramatically regulate the soot emissions from heavy diesel trucks in the state.
According to the NASA study, cutting soot emissions will not only improve human health, but it will make an immediate impact on reducing climate change. READ MORE
First-in-nation proposal in CA to drastically curb diesel emissions
California is proposing a first-in-the-nation regulation that would require nearly all heavy trucks that operate in the state to install a filter on their exhaust pipes to reduce diesel soot emissions by 85%. The proposal comes before the California Air Resources Board on Friday.
If passed, it would take effect in 2010, with 2014 as the deadline for almost all retrofits. The filters would cost truck operators around $15,000 to $20,000 per truck. The second and potentially more burdensome phase of the proposal would require older trucks to upgrade their engines to reduce emissions.
Diesel soot is a particularly harmful pollutant. Medical research indicates that it is among the most harmful types of air pollution, as it can lodge deep in human lungs, can penetrate the walls of blood vessels, and contains more than 40 cancer causing chemicals. READ MORE
Western U.S. to face major water shortages even without climate change
The AP had an article on Friday about the impending water shortages in the Western United States [link may expire]. The region will face shortages as a result of a changing climate as well as exceedingly dumb planning that led to inefficient development and failed to account for the fact that the 1900’s were an above average century for wetness on the whole.
The result was a massive population boom in the Western US that was built on inefficient water use from the Colorado River based on the assumption that the river’s flow would not decrease and population growth would not overwhelm it. Of course, none of these assumptions proved true. READ MORE
San Diego hopes to lead California in solar panel installations
San Diego may be the first major city in California to take advantage of a new state law that allows government to assist in the financing of solar panel installations for homes and businesses. Under the proposal by Mayor Jerry Sanders, participants will be able to pay for solar panel installations through their property tax bill over a 20 year period. The privately financed loans would have a fixed interest rate and could be transferred if the property was sold.
The proposal, if approved by the San Diego City Council, would become law early next year. This would coincide with the federal law that goes into effect on January 1 that gives a 30% tax credit for residential and commercial solar installations. READ MORE
Test drive video of the Zenn neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV)
Following up on our post about Zenn Motors opening a dealership in the Bay Area, here is a test drive video of the Zenn.
Zenn Motor Company to open dealership in the Bay Area
A local NBC affiliate in San Francisco is reporting that Zenn Motor Company will be opening a dealership in the Bay Area.
Zenn, which produces neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV), is an acronym for “zero emissions, no noise.” The company is based and manufactures its cars in Canada. Zenn’s flagship NEV, the “Zenn” can travel at speeds of 25 miles per hour, has a range of 40 miles, and a price tag of around $15,000. The Zenn can be recharged in a standard outlet in as little as 4 hours.
Zenn also is working on an electric vehicle called the cityZenn that should be able to travel at highway speeds.
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