[Source: POWERSOURCE–The Washington Post and The New York Times contributed] A federal appeals court in Washington ruled Monday that the head of the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped his authority in trying to delay implementation of a new rule requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and reduce methane leaks. In a split decision — the Read More…
Tag: carbon emissions
New air-board chief says he’s been tough on air pollution, polluters
[Source: The Press-Enterprise] Wayne Nastri’s arrival a year ago as the chief of South California’s air quality agency was seen by many as a coup for the business community. The former Bush administration official and environmental consultant took the helm of the South Coast Air Quality Management District just after a takeover of the district’s Read More…
Trump won’t seek to roll back California vehicle authority
[Source: Reuters] President Donald Trump will announce the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will revive a review of the feasibility of strict fuel efficiency standards through 2025, but will not seek to withdraw California’s authority to set its own vehicle rules, a White House official said late on Tuesday. Reuters reported on Monday the administration planned Read More…
In air-quality talks, haziest thing may be the facts
[Source: The Daily Breeze] Suppose it was 1650 and you were accused of being a witch. Would you prefer trial by water or hanging? If you choose trial by water, the people in charge of things will throw you into the nearest lake, river or ocean and wait to see if you sink or float. Read More…
Clean-air plan is one that SoCal business could live with
[Source: Orange County Register Editorial Board] Balancing the need for clean air and the need for industry is no small task. It requires a careful, judicious weighing of the costs and benefits of regulatory action and voluntary cooperation. Command-and-control regulations may seem expedient, but they can become burdensome and harmful to economic development. Thus, the Read More…
Trump’s policies raise concerns for environmental organizations at UCLA
[Source: Daily Bruin] Several students and professors expressed their apprehension for the climate’s future under president-elect Donald Trump’s policies on environmental issues. Trump promised voters during his campaign that he will dismantle the United States Environmental Protection Agency and withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Instead of focusing on the environment, Trump aims to prioritize the Read More…
SoCal air quality regulators mulling hike in vehicle registration fees for smog reduction
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Air quality regulators are considering seeking an increase in vehicle registration fees for millions of Southern California drivers to help pay for smog reduction programs. The idea, though still in preliminary stages, would be one component of a funding proposal under development by the South Coast Air Quality Management District as part of a major Read More…
The port that fuels L.A.’s economy and fouls its air gets a pollution-reduction team
[Source: Los Angeles Times] Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tuesday announced the appointment of an advisory panel tasked with reducing air pollution from the Port of Los Angeles by expanding the use of zero-emissions technology. The 10-member Sustainable Freight Advisory Board, made up of representatives from industry, environmental groups, labor, and air quality agencies, will advise the city-owned Read More…
Southern California doesn’t have the money to buy its way to clean air
[Source: Los Angeles Times Editorial] The Southern California agency responsible for cleaning up the region’s smoggy air has a new strategy to cut pollution: Hope and plead for money to buy cleaner cars and trucks. To comply with federal law, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a blueprint last week outlining the rules, policies and Read More…