According to the bill sponsors, when enacted, the law will revitalize our economy by creating millions of new jobs, increase our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and preserve our planet by reducing the pollution that causes global warming.
“Today we have taken decisive and historic action to promote America’s energy security and to create millions of clean energy jobs that will drive our economic recovery and long-term growth,” said Chairman Waxman. “After more than three decades of being held hostage to the influence of foreign energy suppliers, this legislation at long last begins to break our addiction to imported foreign oil and put us on a path to true energy security.”
“Today the House has passed the most important energy and environment bill in our nation’s history,” said Chairman Markey. “Scientists say that global warming is a dangerous man-made problem. Today we are saying clean energy will be the American-made solution. This legislation will create jobs by the millions, save money by the billions and unleash investment in clean energy by the trillions.”
- Requires electric utilities to meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020.
- Invests $190 billion in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency, including energy efficiency and renewable energy ($90 billion in new investments by 2025), carbon capture and sequestration ($60 billion), electric and other advanced technology vehicles ($20 billion), and basic scientific research and development ($20 billion).
- Mandates new energy-saving standards for buildings, appliances, and industry.
- Reduces carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17% by 2020 and over 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. Complementary measures in the legislation, such as investments in preventing tropical deforestation, will achieve significant additional reductions in carbon emissions.
- Protects consumers from energy price increases. According to recent analyses from the Congressional Budget Office and the EPA, the legislation will cost each household less than 50 cents per day in 2020 (not including energy efficiency savings).
Environmental Resource Center’s® Webcasts Go Greener
Throughout that period, thousands of handbooks were shipped worldwide, consuming millions of pages of paper, and countless gallons of fuel. Beginning July 1, course materials for most Environmental Resource Center webcasts will be delivered electronically, which will further reduce the environmental impact of online training.
With handbooks for some courses exceeding 1,000 pages, the new e-books, will not only save paper and fuel, they will be much easier to search. However, for those that love the touch and feel of paper, bound versions of the book will be available for a nominal fee. One year of free handbook updates will continue to be offered for both the electronic and bound handbooks.
A bound version of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations will continue to be provided with both the online and face-to-face IATA training.
DOT to Step Up Inspections for Hidden Hazardous Materials
The proposed rules would establish procedures for: the inspection and opening of packages to identify undeclared or non-compliant shipments; the temporary detention and inspection of suspicious packages; and the issuance of emergency orders (e.g., restrictions, prohibitions, recalls, and out-of-service orders) to address unsafe conditions or practices posing an imminent hazard.
These new inspection and enforcement procedures will enhance DOT’s ability to respond immediately and effectively to conditions or practices that pose serious threats to life, property, or the environment.
EPA Launches NetDMR
Clean Water Act Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) represent the highest volume of information collection undertaken by the EPA. EPA Regions and select States, Tribes, and Territories will have a new tool available to assist their regulated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) facilities in reporting DMRs beginning June 22, 2009. Additional States, Tribes, and Territories may adopt Network Discharge Monitoring Report (NetDMR) and enable their regulated NPDES facilities to begin utilizing the electronic reporting tool. NetDMR provides an Internet-based reporting tool for NPDES facilities to electronically sign and submit DMRs. NetDMR allows participants to discontinue mailing in hard copy forms under 40 CFR 122.41 and 403.12.
The NetDMR application first became available on June 22, 2009.
Final Rule Issued for Reorganization and Name Change for the Office of Solid Waste (OSW)
On January 18, 2009, the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) was reorganized and changed its name to the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR). EPA is taking final action to amend the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect the reorganization and name change of the Office of Solid Waste.
The name change reflects the breadth of the responsibilities/authorities that Congress provided to EPA under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the primary authorizing statute. ORCR has three divisions, which consolidate the operations of the six divisions under the OSW structure. This reorganization will create a more efficient structure, consistent with current program priorities and resource levels, and will enable EPA to better serve the needs of the public and its key stakeholders over the next 5-10 years.
EPA has increased focus on resource conservation and materials management; it is expected that focus on this important aspect of the RCRA program will continue, while maintaining a strong waste management regulatory and implementation program.
EPA Releases Third National Assessment of Toxic Air Pollutants
EPA has released the latest version of a state-of-the-science tool that estimates health risks from breathing air toxics in the United States. The National Air Toxics Assessment (), based on 2002 air emissions data, helps federal, state, local and tribal governments identify areas and specific pollutants for further evaluation to better understand risks they may pose.
The report assessed 180 air toxics plus diesel particulate matter from stationary sources of all sizes and from mobile sources such as cars, trucks, buses and construction equipment.
The 2002 NATA estimates that most people in the United States have an average cancer risk of 36 in 1 million if exposed to 2002 emissions levels over the course of their lifetime. In addition, 2 million people—less than one% of the total U.S. population—have an increased cancer risk of greater than 100 in 1 million. Benzene was the largest contributor to the increased cancer risks.
NATA provides broad estimates of risk over geographic areas of the country and not definitive risks to specific individuals. The results are best used to prioritize pollutants and areas for further study, not as the sole basis for regulation or risk reduction activities.
Since the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, air toxic emissions have decreased by 40% from all sources. NATA can be used to help all levels of government target further reductions in air toxics emissions.
Owner of New Jersey Landscaping Sub-Contractor Faces Steep Fines and Prison Sentence for Defrauding the EPA
The Department of Justice has announced the co-owner of a Martinsville, New Jersey, landscaping company pleaded guilty to participating in a fraud conspiracy at the EPA-designated Superfund site, Federal Creosote, located in Manville, New Jersey.
Frederick Landgraber pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey to one count of conspiracy to defraud the EPA from approximately March 2002 until approximately June 2005 at the Federal Creosote site. As part of the conspiracy, Landgraber provided more than $30,000 in kickbacks to an employee of the prime contractor at the site in exchange for which that employee steered landscaping subcontracts to Landgraber’s company. Landgraber and his co-conspirator subverted the competitive bidding process by submitting intentionally high cover bids on behalf of fictitious companies. In total, Landgraber’s company received approximately $1.5 million in sub-contracts at Federal Creosote.
The clean-up at the Federal Creosote site is partly funded by the EPA. Under an interagency agreement between the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, prime contractors oversaw the removal, treatment and disposal of contaminated soil, as well as other operations at the Federal Creosote site.
“The fictitious bids were created specifically to evade bidding requirements that are in place to ensure competition and protect taxpayer dollars in the government procurement process,” said Scott D. Hammond, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Enforcement of the Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division will continue to apprehend and prosecute those who commit these crimes.”
The charge is the result of an ongoing antitrust investigation into bid rigging, bribery, fraud, and tax-related offenses at New Jersey Superfund sites. In addition to Landgraber, five individuals and three companies have pleaded guilty in this investigation. Bennett Environmental Inc. (BEI) pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the EPA at the Federal Creosote site and was sentenced on December 15, 2008, to pay a $1 million fine and $1.66 million in restitution. On the same day, Zul Tejpar, a former BEI executive, pleaded guilty to participating in the same fraud conspiracy as BEI. Sentencing is scheduled for September 28, 2009.
In addition, on July 23, 2008, JMJ Environmental Inc. (JMJ), a Laurel Springs, New Jersey, wastewater treatment supply company, its owner John Drimak, Jr., and Norman Stoerr, a former contracts administrator at the Federal Creosote site pleaded guilty to bid rigging, fraud and tax charges related to Federal Creosote and the Diamond Alkali Superfund site, located in Newark, New Jersey. Sentencing for JMJ, Drimak and Stoerr is scheduled for December 7, 2009.
On March 4, 2009, National Industrial Services LLC and co-owner Victor Boski pleaded guilty to participating in a separate kickback and fraud conspiracy at Federal Creosote and Diamond Alkali.
Finally, Christopher Tranchina, an employee of a Sewell, New Jersey, company that provided temporary electrical utilities, pleaded guilty to participating in a separate kickback and fraud conspiracy at Federal Creosote. Tranchina is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2009.
The fraud conspiracy that Landgraber is charged with carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
The charges reflect the Department’s commitment to protecting U.S. taxpayers from procurement fraud through its creation of the National Procurement Fraud Task Force. The National Procurement Fraud Initiative, announced in October 2006, is designed to promote the early detection, prosecution and prevention of procurement fraud associated with the increase in contracting activity for national security and other government programs.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Field Office, the EPA Office of Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Anyone with information concerning bid rigging, kickbacks, or fraud relating to sub-contracts awarded at the Federal Creosote or Diamond Alkali sites should contact the New York Field Office of the Antitrust Division at 212-264-9308.
EPA Fines Cellco Partnership $468,600 for Violations of CWA, EPCRA, and CAA
EPA has entered into a consent agreement with Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and the Clean Air Act (CAA) and their implementing regulations. The total civil penalty assessed is $468,600.
Comments are due on or before July 22, 2009.
Plasti-Kote Company Fined $240,000 for Violating Ohio’s Air Pollution Control Laws
Plasti-Kote Company, Inc., will pay a $240,000 penalty as a settlement for violating Ohio’s air pollution control laws at its paints and coatings manufacturing facility located in Medina, Ohio.
Following facility inspections in 2005 and 2007, Plasti-Kote was cited with numerous permit violations including exceeding operating restrictions on coating usage and content, failing to maintain required records, and incomplete reporting of permit and compliance information. Ohio EPA relies on timely and complete reports to ensure facilities are operating in compliance with their permits. In addition, the company later reported it exceeded permitted limits for volatile organic compounds on 16 days in 2008.
The violations were documented by the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District, Ohio EPA’s contractual representative responsible for administering the air pollution control program in Medina County.
Plasti-Kote manufactures various paints and coatings for home and automotive use. The facility is permitted to operate numerous spray booths, mixing stations, and other pieces of equipment that emit air pollutants.
The company is now in compliance with Ohio’s air pollution control laws. The civil penalty includes $96,000 to support state and local air pollution control programs, $96,000 to the Ohio Environmental Education Fund and $48,000 to Ohio EPA’s clean diesel school bus program.
EPA Fines Conett for NESHAP Violations
EPA Region 5 has reached an agreement with Conett Inc. (formerly known as Geotek Inc.) on alleged clean-air violations at a reinforced plastic composites production plant in Stewartville, Minnesota, formerly owned by Conett. Conett has told EPA that it has sold the facility and no longer owns or operates it.
The agreement, which includes a $151,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that Conett violated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants by failing to reduce organic hazardous air pollutants from its pultrusion operations by the required date and by failing to submit timely compliance notifications.
Wallside, Inc. to Pay $100,000 for TSCA Violations
The consent decree settles claims against the window manufacturing and replacement corporation which is located outside of Detroit, Michigan. The claims were brought on behalf of the EPA under TSCA, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., and on behalf of the State of Michigan Department of Community Health (Michigan DCH) under the Michigan Lead Abatement Act. The charges allege that Wallside, Inc., failed to make one or more of the disclosures or to complete one or more of the disclosure activities required by Title IV, 406(b) of TSCA.
Under the Consent Decree, the Settling Defendant will pay a civil penalty of $100,000 and will certify that it is now in compliance and will continue to comply with residential lead based paint hazard notification requirements. The Settling Defendant will also perform two Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). For one SEP the Settling Defendant will provide $350,000 worth of windows to the State of Michigan for installation in housing built before 1978. For the other SEP, the Settling Defendant will voluntarily employ lead safe work practices in advance of being subject to Federal regulations which will become effective in April of 2010 imposing similar lead safe work practices requirements on all renovators of pre-1978 properties.
AutoZone Fined $90,000 for Selling Non-Certified Catalytic Converters in California
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) reached a settlement with AutoZone West, Inc. for $90,000 in March for selling non certified aftermarket catalytic converters from AutoZone stores in California.
An ARB investigation showed that AutoZone, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, sold non-certified catalytic converters from its California stores between January and March of 2009.
“Vehicle emissions are the main contributor of smog-forming pollutants in California,” said Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “Automotive retailers are required to stock products that meet California’s clean air goals.”
As of January 1, 2009, all new aftermarket catalytic converters sold or installed in California must be able to comply with certification emissions standards for five years or 50,000 miles. Manufacturers must first demonstrate through emission testing that the catalytic converters meet the required performance levels and obtain ARB approval before they can legally offer units for sale in California.
AutoZone paid $90,000 in penalties to the California Air Pollution Control Fund for funding projects and research to improve California’s air quality. In addition to the penalties, AutoZone took quick action to remove any remaining non-certified product from its California stores, and it is enhancing its restricted product system to prevent similar violations in the future.
California’s air quality measures are in place to prevent excessive emissions that can negatively affect public health. Ozone, also known as smog, can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughs, heightened asthma rates, cardiopulmonary ailments, and premature deaths.
Safety Waste Incineration Ordered to Stop Burning Medical Waste and Pay $75,000 Penalty
Nancy and James Oliver, doing business as Safety Waste Incineration in Wasilla, Alaska, have received a federal court order to stop receiving, incinerating, or handling hospital, medical, and infectious waste after July 1, 2009.
This order is a permanent injunction issued by Judge John W. Sedwick of the federal District Court of Alaska in a case brought by the EPA to get Safety Waste to comply with the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act.
“This is an important decision for public health and the environment in Alaska,” said Michelle Pirzadeh, EPA Acting Regional Administrator in Seattle. “Bringing Safety Waste into compliance will reduce human exposure to harmful air contaminants, such as hydrogen chloride, dioxins and heavy metals. The court’s order also levels the playing field for similar businesses and sends a message that companies who fail to comply with federal environmental laws will face serious consequences.”
Last year, the court ruled that the Olivers had been violating the Clean Air Act and the Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators since October 2002. Then, this past March, the court held a five-day trial to determine the appropriate remedy for Safety Waste’s long-standing violations. In addition to granting the permanent injunction, the court imposed a penalty of $75,000.
The court found that Olivers’ violations were willful and highlighted EPA’s numerous, sustained efforts to get Safety Waste into compliance before resorting to filing a court action. The court also stated, “The Olivers have violated the Federal Plan Requirements for many years. They have continued to do so despite an EPA Notice of Noncompliance, an EPA Administrative Compliance Order, and this court’s ruling that they are in violation of the law. In their effort to continue operating, the Olivers made representations to EPA about their progress in installing air pollution control devices and other equipment as well as their shipment of medical waste to Fairbanks for disposal that were not true.”
Pennsylvania DEP Fines RRI Energy Mid-Atlantic Power Holdings LLC $32,000 for Air Quality Violations at Power Plant
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has fined RRI Energy Mid-Atlantic Power Holdings LLC $32,000 for air quality emissions monitoring violations at the company’s Shawville power plant in Bradford Township, Clearfield County.
“It is very important for power plants to adhere to emissions monitoring requirements within the designated time frames and properly report that information to DEP so we can determine if they meet environmental standards necessary to protect public health,” said DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell.
RRI Energy failed to conduct calibration error and other technical testing on the plant’s continuous monitoring system for opacity during the fourth quarter of 2007. This resulted in nearly a month of lost data.
The company also submitted the first and second quarter 2008 opacity reports 98 and 30 days late, respectively, because of revisions to the reports originally submitted. Opacity is the amount of light obscured by the emissions from a stack. Stack emissions with high opacity contain relatively high amounts of particulate matter, which is tiny particles of dust, smoke, mist, or fumes. The fine was paid to the Clean Air Fund.
Environmental Management Corp. Fined for Chemical Inventory Reporting Violation
EPA Region 5 has settled an administrative case involving hazardous chemical inventory reporting violations at the municipal waste water treatment plant in Lincoln, Illinois, operated by Environmental Management Corp. The company will pay a civil penalty of $12,500 and will purchase 10 direct-fired heaters, valued at $41,000, to retrofit diesel school buses for two Logan County school districts.
Environmental Management Corp. failed to provide emergency and hazardous chemical inventory forms to state and local authorities. Environmental Management Corp. was storing chlorine and diesel fuel over the minimum threshold level. According to Richard Karl, EPA region 5’s Superfund director, “The company has since switched from chlorine to sodium hypochlorite, has cooperated fully with the investigation and is now in compliance.”
Chester East Lincoln and Hartsburg-Emden school districts will receive the direct-fired heaters for diesel school bus retrofits. That will reduce the amount of diesel emissions from the buses. Diesel emission reduction is an EPA priority project.
X-Cel Feeds Penalized for Refusing Stormwater Rules
X-Cel Feeds is facing a $14,641 fine from the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for refusing to follow clean water rules. X-Cel Feeds has disagreed with Ecology for four years over a requirement to get a stormwater permit. Ecology’s permit spells out requirements for preventing water pollution and sets up regular water quality monitoring. The company is also receiving a formal Ecology order to apply for the stormwater permit.
X-Cel Feeds processes a variety of raw materials into animal feed. Many of the activities and products on the site are exposed to stormwater, which triggers the requirement an industrial stormwater permit. Runoff from the site discharges to Flett Creek, a salmon-bearing stream. Materials used to make animal feed can harm water quality by decomposing and robbing water of dissolved oxygen that’s essential for aquatic life. When Ecology water quality inspectors have tried to engage the company in discussions about needing a stormwater permit, the company has been nonresponsive.
“Stormwater pollution presents the greatest threat to water quality, and we’re concerned that X-Cel Feeds won’t verify its efforts to keep raw materials, spilled product and byproducts out of the runoff that drains to Flett Creek,” said Garin Schrieve, Ecology’s regional water quality manager. “We’d rather see X-Cel focus its efforts on keeping pollution out of local waters than continue arguing its clean water responsibilities.”
Although X-Cel Feeds applied for permit coverage in 1995, company management has long argued that it is exempt from the stormwater permit requirement, claiming its operations or products were not exposed to stormwater. Ecology initially granted X-Cel an exemption, but subsequent inspections have shown that material on the site is exposed to stormwater that is discharged to Flett Creek. Schrieve says the exemption clearly no longer applies, and Ecology has told the company on seven occasions since 2005 that it must reapply for the permit.
Ecology’s administrative order requires X-Cel Feeds to apply for a permit within 30 days or face additional penalties. The company can appeal both the $14,641 penalty and administrative order to the Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.
The money collected from water quality penalties is placed in a subaccount of the Coastal Protection Fund. Ecology uses the fund to provide grants to local environmental enhancement and restoration projects sponsored by local governments, tribes, and other state agencies.
ASHRAE Introduces Prototype of Building Energy Label at Annual Conference
Most of us know the fuel efficiency of our cars, but what about our buildings? The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is working to change that, moving one step closer to introducing its building energy labeling program with release of a prototype label at its 2009 Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
A prototype label for the ASHRAE Headquarters in Atlanta was unveiled. The Building Energy Quotient program, which will be known as Building EQ, will include both asset and operational ratings for all building types, except residential. ASHRAE is working with major real estate developers to implement the label prototype this fall with a widespread launch of the full program in 2010.
The ASHRAE labeling program differs from existing labeling programs in that it focuses solely on energy use. Under the ASHRAE program, new buildings will be eligible to receive an asset rating. An operation rating will be available once the building has at least one year of data on the actual energy use of buildings. Existing buildings would be eligible to receive both an asset and operational rating.
The asset rating provides an assessment of the building based on the components specified in the design and would be based on the results of a building energy model. The operational rating provides information on the actual energy use and is based on a combination of the structure of the building and how it is operated.
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 members. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing, and continuing education.
Two New Environmental Laws Enacted in Maine
Governor John E. Baldacci has signed two bills to improve Maine’s environment and protect public health. LD 973, An Act To Provide for the Safe Collection and Recycling of Mercury-containing Lighting, and LD 1293, An Act To Require Citizen Notification of Pesticide Applications Using Aerial Spray or Air-carrier Application Equipment, were ceremonially signed in the Governor’s Office with bill sponsor Rep. Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham) and other legislators and supporters present.
“These bills advance Maine’s reputation for being at the forefront of environmentally conscious policies,” Governor Baldacci said. “Together, these initiatives continue to ensure the health and safety of our people and vibrant natural resources.”
LD 973 requires manufacturers to share the burden of ensuring proper disposal of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Manufacturers of bulbs that contain mercury will be required to implement a program for recycling the lamps from households by 2011.
LD 1293 requires land managers to notify abutters of the application of pesticides. People can also request to be on a registry of citizens who receive information on pesticide applications.
The bills go into effect Sept. 12, which is 90 days after the close of the legislative session.
California Adopts First-in-Nation Approach to Keep Cars Cooler
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has adopted a regulation that will require new cars sold in California, starting in 2012, to have windows that reflect or absorb heat-producing rays from the sun. This will help keep cars cooler, increase their fuel efficiency, and reduce global warming pollution.
Cooler cars mean less air conditioning thereby increasing fuel efficiency and preventing about 700,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere in 2020—roughly the equivalent of taking 140,000 cars off the road for a year.
“This is a common-sense and cost-effective measure that will help cool the cars we drive and fight global warming,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “It represents the kind of innovative thinking we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our vehicles and steer our economy toward a low-carbon future.”
A variety of new and currently available approaches will be used to achieve the standards including adding chemicals to the glass during manufacturing to absorb the sun’s energy and using laminated glass coated with invisible microscopic specks of metal to reflect it. Windshields that comply with the standard will continue to offer full visibility.
Compared to cars currently in showrooms, windows that comply with the standard will block 33% more heat-producing rays from the sun. This will cool the vehicle’s interior by approximately 14? F for a car and 12? F for a pickup or SUV. Lower temperatures require less use of air conditioning, both upon starting a car parked in the sun and while driving in sunny conditions.
Other benefits include a cooler interior upon entering the car, less time for the air conditioning to reach a comfortable temperature, and reduced fading of upholstery and cracking of the dashboard.
The regulation has two steps. Over a three-year period starting in 2012 windows in new cars sold in California must prevent 45% of the sun’s total heat-producing energy from entering the car, with the windshield rejecting at least 50% of the sun’s energy.
In 2016 car manufacturers will be required to install windows in new cars sold in California that prevent at least 60% of the sun’s heat-producing rays from entering the cars interior, or propose alternative technologies to achieve an equivalent result.
Costs for the windows are expected to average $70 for the 2012 standard, and about $250 for the 2016 standard, with annual savings in gas of $16 and $20 respectively. Costs would be recouped over a five to twelve year period.
This initiative follows on the heels of a series of other measures adopted by the Board under AB 32 (N??ez, 2006), California’s pioneering climate change legislation, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. These include a standard for cleaner lower-carbon vehicle fuels and a regulation to ensure tire pressure is checked at smog check, oil change, and other maintenance facilities.
California is also awaiting approval of a waiver from the federal government to enforce standards under its Clean Car Law that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% from vehicles over the next seven years.
California’s ARB Unveils Pollution Cutting Tools for Trucking Community
California’s Air Resources Board (ARB) has released several tools to help the trucking community comply with a variety of clean air regulations adopted by ARB in recent years, including rules aimed at reducing diesel pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from heavy duty “big rigs.” The tools are geared specifically to fleet owners as well as the truck dealers, lenders, air districts, and others affected by the regulations, which call for both modernization of the heavy duty diesel fleet and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
“Trucking is a tough enough business that we need to make clean air performance as simple as possible. All of the regulations, programs and funding assistance options for truckers operating in California can now be found at one central location on the web site or via a centralized phone line,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “We hope to create a better understanding of our regulations, so that Californians will have cleaner air to breathe.”
The new tools to be launched include:
Written in straight forward, non-bureaucratic language, the site is personalized through the use of an interactive questionnaire that results in a list of regulations and funding assistance options that may apply to the fleet owner’s situation. The site is designed primarily for the fleet owner but the information is also useful for the truck dealer, lender, air districts and others in the trucking community.
- ARB’s 1-866-6DIESEL (1-866-634-3735) phone line available in English, Spanish, Punjabi, and Vietnamese Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for individuals who prefer to talk to a live person about their diesel-related questions.
- Maintained by ARB staff, the site allows users to receive a response to their diesel related inquiry within two business days if not sooner.
The outreach tools are the product of the landmark Truck and Bus Rule, aimed at cleaning-up pollution from “big rigs” and school buses, and AB 32, a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming. The ARB board adopted these clean air regulations with the stipulation that outreach to the trucking community be readily available, easy to understand and include funding assistance options.
Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death, and other health problems. It also reduces visibility and, along with greenhouse gas emissions, can contribute to climate change and global warming.
Maryland Green Registry Launched
Governor O’Malley has launched the Maryland Green Registry as part of the State’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative. The Registry is a new voluntary program to promote and recognize sustainable “greening” efforts by organizations of all types and sizes in Maryland.
Membership is free and encourages businesses, churches, schools, governments, and other organizations to share information on the practices they have in place to reduce the environmental impact of their facilities and services.
“Maryland businesses and other organizations already know that even relatively simple steps to reduce our impact on the environment save money and create a healthier workplace,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The Maryland Green Registry provides an opportunity for these organizations to share their stories and inspire others to take steps to protect our air and our water, including the Chesapeake Bay.”
. The registry includes checklists for best practices in the areas of environmental management and leadership; waste reduction; energy and water conservation; transportation; and green building design. The checklists offer examples of activities to be included in the organization’s profile, as well as inspiration and ideas for future efforts.
Participating organizations will receive a Green Registry sticker for display, and profiles will be posted online to demonstrate each member’s environmental commitment.
“We wanted these organizations to have a place to showcase their environmentally friendly practices and to serve as a model for other businesses and groups,” added Governor O’Malley.
Introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley in October 2008, Smart, Green & Growing was created to foster a smarter, greener, more sustainable future for Maryland families. The Initiative is bringing together state agencies, local governments, businesses, and citizens to revitalize communities, improve transit, create green jobs, address climate change, conserve energy, preserve land, and restore the Chesapeake Bay.
Cash for Clunkers Law Gives Incentives to Buy Fuel Efficient Cars
A new buyer incentive program signed into law by President Obama is designed to help consumers pay for new, more fuel efficient vehicles when they trade-in a less fuel efficient car or truck. Under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), buyers can receive up to $4,500 toward the purchase or lease of a new car or truck that meets the necessary criteria.
“At this important time for the industry, we will help to boost automobile and truck sales while putting vehicles on the road that are safer, pollute less and get more miles to the gallon,” said U.S. DOT Secretary LaHood.
For passenger automobiles, the car to be traded must be drivable, have a fuel economy rating of 18 miles-per-gallon (mpg) or less, and be registered and insured for the full year prior to the trade in. To get a rebate, the new car must be priced at $45,000 or less, and, to receive the maximum rebate of $4,500, the new car must have a fuel economy rating of at least 10 mpg greater than the car to be traded. To receive an incentive of $3,500, the same car would be traded for one that gets at least four mpg better gas mileage.
For most vans, SUVs and pickups, the vehicle to be traded must have a fuel economy of 18 mpg or less. To receive an incentive of $3,500, the new vehicle must get at least two mpg better mileage. To receive the $4,500 incentive, the same vehicle would need to be traded for one getting at least five mpg better mileage.
The purchaser does not receive the money directly from DOT. Instead, the dealer reduces the purchase or lease price by the allowed amount, and the government reimburses the dealer for that amount.
The CARS Act makes transactions on and after July 1 potentially eligible for credits under the CARS program, however, interested dealers and consumers may want to wait until all of the detailed issues that must be addressed in the implementing regulations are resolved and the final rule is issued. Issuance of the final rule is expected to occur around July 23. The final day for an eligible purchase or lease is November 1, 2009, or when DOT exhausts the funds set aside for the program, whichever occurs first. The credit is not retroactive prior to the start of the program and cannot be applied toward the purchase of used vehicles.
To achieve the objective of removing older, less efficient vehicles from the roads, vehicles traded under this program will have to be permanently disabled and/or scrapped. CARS will be implemented by the U.S. DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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Trivia Question of the Week
According to a recent report in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, the explosive growth in the use of what product is posing a severe global warming threat?
a. Fructose sweeteners
b. Hydrofluorocarbons, used to replace chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants
c. Cell phones
d. Bottled water