New 'Ambitious Centrist' Global Warming Solutions Plan Enters Fray

NRDC-authored Article in Science Combines Scientific Credibility with Political Feasibility

WASHINGTON (November 2, 2006) -- Tomorrow Science magazine will hit the stands with a new vision for Washington's leaders to finally help solve global warming. With a new Congress expected to look very different this winter, and global warming now a front-burner issue for most Americans, this new 'ambitious centrist' plan combines science-based emission reductions with the political and economic realities of enacting global warming legislation.

The article, authored by three staff members of Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC) Climate Center, lays out a plan with three central elements that will cut global warming emissions, manage costs for business and consumers, promote new technology, and enact an effective "cap-and-trade" program, similar to the one used to cut acid rain emissions.

"For too long, many in Congress have been at loggerheads over global warming solutions," said Dr. Daniel Lashof, science director for NRDC's Climate Center and an author of the article. "With Americans demanding a more productive Congress on important issues like energy and global warming, it's time for partisanship to stop and a new direction in global warming leadership to begin."

The plan's three elements are:

A long-term declining cap, which would take effect quickly and gradually reduce emissions over time. This will reduce long-term costs by stabilizing global warming emissions at safe levels, sooner.

Managing costs to industry, business, and lower-income families, both in the short-term and long-term. By enacting a long-term program and allowing additional flexibility to borrow emissions allowances, companies can have the flexibility to meet emissions requirements without severe economic harm. And a fair approach to allocating emissions allowances, and economic assistance to install energy-saving technologies would give businesses, workers and lower-income families help adjusting to the required emission reductions.

Promoting new technology and faster deployment of low-carbon technologies. By encouraging industries to develop, produce and deploy new energy technologies, emissions will be cut faster, cheaper, and with many economic opportunities.

The article can be found by logging onto www.eurekalert.com.

This article follows two global warming reports this week that indicate a real need for immediate, ambitious action. Former World Bank chief economist Nicholas Stern released a report on the potential economic harm of global warming inaction, and the need and benefits of immediate investment in solutions. The report notes that every dollar of investment in global warming solutions would outweigh the economic consequences by five- to twenty-fold.

And also this week, the United Nations released a global warming emissions report that notes an overall increase in emissions from industrialized countries, but with an overall reduction from those countries party to the Kyoto Protocol. The United States continues to be the number one emitter of global warming pollution.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Letter to the President

Letter sent to President Bush from Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Jeff Bingaman, and Senator Joseph Lieberman concerning climate change and global warming.

November 15, 2006

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. President:
As you know, diplomats representing 189 countries, including the United States, are now in Nairobi, Kenya discussing the most pressing environmental issue currently facing mankind: human-induced global warming. Unfortunately, we have not been satisfied with the level of U.S. participation in the international negotiations or in reducing our own domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, as incoming Chairs of three important Senate Committees on global warming, we seek your commitment to work with the new Congress to pass meaningful climate change legislation in 2007. The U.S. must move quickly to adopt economy-wide constraints on domestic GHG emissions and then work with the international community to forge an effective and equitable global agreement.

Scientists are now warning that we may be reaching a "tipping point" beyond which it will be extremely difficult, or perhaps impossible, to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. If the world continues on its current path of emissions increases, we could risk global climatic disasters on an unprecedented scale, ranging from dangerous sea level rise, to increasingly damaging hurricanes (such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita), increased deaths from air pollution and disease, to widespread geo-political instability. A recent report by Sir Nicholas Stern finds that leaving climate change unchecked could cost between 5%-20% of global GDP.

As United States Senators, we have all authored or co-sponsored legislation to combat global warming. Although our approaches differ slightly, we-along with the overwhelming majority of the scientific community, agree that human caused global warming is real and that we must pass legislation to address this threat. We are committed to achieving this result.

As you know, in addition to our proposed bills, on June 22, 2005, the United States Senate went on record for the first time in bipartisan support of mandatory limits on greenhouse gases by a vote 53-44. We have good reason to believe that the number of Senators in support of such legislation is now even larger than that vote demonstrated.

The recent elections have signaled a need to change direction in many areas, including global warming. If we are to leave our children a world that resembles the earth we inherited, we must act now to address GHG emissions. When the 110th Congress begins in January, we pledge to work to pass an effective system of mandatory limits on greenhouse gases.

We urge you to work with us to reach this result and to signal to the world that global warming legislation is on the way.

Respectfully,
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Jeff Bingaman
Senator Joseph Lieberman

EPA Enforcement Cuts Total Pollution by Record 3 Billion Pounds Over Last Three Years

Air Pollution Reductions Alone Result in Health Benefits of $3.5 Billion Yearly

(Washington, D.C. - Nov. 15, 2006) The Environmental Protection Agency has obtained commitments from industry, governments and other regulated entities to reduce pollution by nearly 900 million pounds in fiscal year 2006. Today's report reflects a sustained three-year record of pollution reduction, totaling almost 3 billion pounds, and requiring companies to invest almost $20 billion in pollution control equipment. More than 70 percent of these reductions were achieved by addressing high-priority air and water pollution challenges.

"Today's results show that we are making significant progress in protecting the environment and public health," said Granta Y. Nakayama, EPA's assistant administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "EPA is encouraging environmental stewardship and vigorously enforcing our laws in order to deliver current and future generations a cleaner, healthier America."

As a result of criminal enforcement actions completed this year, defendants will serve 154 years in jail and pay almost $43 million in fines, as well as another $29 million for environmental projects imposed as part of the sentences. EPA's civil enforcement program also demonstrated strong results this year by concluding a total of 173 judicial cases, 4,624 final administrative penalty order settlements, and resolving self-disclosed violations for 1,475 facilities. EPA referred 286 civil cases to the U.S. Department of Justice, the highest total in five years.

As a result of EPA's Superfund enforcement actions, parties held responsible for pollution will invest $391 million to clean up 15 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and approximately 1.3 billion cubic yards of contaminated groundwater at waste sites. On top of paying penalties in 2006, regulated entities will also be required to invest $4.9 billion to reduce pollution and achieve compliance with environmental laws.

EPA's enforcement program targeted significant environmental problems facing the country, including harmful air emissions, noncompliance at petroleum refineries and water pollution. EPA's top air enforcement actions will result in reductions in harmful air emissions totaling 379 million pounds of sulfur dioxide and 92 million pounds of nitrogen oxides annually. When fully implemented, the annual human health benefits from these air emission reductions are valued at $3.5 billion. These health benefits include reducing about 500 premature deaths in people with heart or lung disease, prevention of hundreds of cases of bronchitis and nonfatal heart attacks, as well as thousands of cases of respiratory ailments, including aggravated asthma.

As a result of EPA's work to reduce pollution from petroleum refineries, 85 refineries, representing 77 percent of domestic refining capacity, are now subject to enforceable orders and consent decrees, and negotiations are ongoing with refiners representing an additional 11 percent of capacity. EPA's priority efforts to control overflows from sewers and runoff from storm water and concentrated animal feeding operations resulted in a more than 230 million pound decrease in water pollution, including sediment, bacteria, raw sewage, untreated industrial wastes and animal wastes.

More information on EPA's FY 2006 enforcement and compliance program, including details of significant enforcement and compliance activities and data, is available on EPA's fiscal year 2006 enforcement and compliance results: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/results/annual/fy2006.html

Help EPA protect our nation's land, air and water by reporting violations: http://www.epa.gov/tips

Diesel Technology Forum Releases Report: Retrofitting America's Diesel Engines

DTF has recently made available a report titled Retrofitting America's Diesel Engines: A Guide To Cleaner Air Through Cleaner Diesel. The report outlines information on how to improve emissions performance of existing diesel vehicles by using retrofit technologies.

An excerpt from Executive Summary:

America needs diesel engines and cleaner air; advanced clean diesel technology offers both. Diesel power drives the economy by building our nation’s infrastructure of roads and bridges, taking crops from the fields to food on the table, and providing vital transportation of people and goods in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. No other technology can match diesel’s unique combination of energy efficiency, sheer power, reliability and durability across so many sectors of the economy. In all applications, diesel technology has experienced continuous improvement with increasing performance, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions, making today’s technology much cleaner and more efficient than what was available even a few years ago.

The report is available as a PDF file: Retrofitting America's Diesel Engines: A Guide To Cleaner Air Through Cleaner Diesel.

Loans To Help Truckers Save Money, Reduce Emissions

(Washington, D.C. - Nov. 14, 2006) Small trucking companies can make sure the rubber meets the road while saving money and reducing pollution with a new loan initiative that will help pay for fuel-saving technologies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with the Small Business Administration to make loans available to purchase SmartWay Upgrade Kits.

"This new loan initiative is another step forward in our nation's efforts to conserve resources, achieve energy independence, and reduce the emissions that contribute to soot and smog," said Bill Wehrum, EPA's acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. "By taking these actions and making advanced truck technologies more affordable, we are responding to the president's call for greater fuel efficiency."

This loan initiative uses SBA Express Loans and partners with Bank of America, Business Loan Express, Superior Financial Group and other SBA lenders to help small trucking companies finance the purchase of SmartWay Upgrade Kits. The kits include idle-reduction devices, low rolling resistance tires, aerodynamic equipment, and exhaust after-treatment devices. The kits can improve truck fuel efficiency by 15 percent and save more than $8,000 in fuel costs annually, while significantly reducing emissions of soot and nitrogen oxides.

Participating lenders will provide quick approval and affordable monthly payments. Small trucking firms can borrow from $5,000 to $25,000, with no collateral, an easy on-line or telephone application, and flexible loan terms.

Information on EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership program and the loan initiative: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/financing.htm

The CleanAIR PERMIT™ Filter Verified for Prime Power Generators

Santa Fe, NM – November 20, 2006 – CleanAIR Systems, Inc. has received verification for prime power generators by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) for their PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter as a Level 3 diesel emission control device. According to an Executive Order dated November 6th, ARB verifies that the PERMIT™ Filter reduces emissions of diesel particulate matter by 85 percent or greater for use in stationary prime generators with particulate matter (PM) levels of up to 0.2 g/bhp-hr.

Prime power stationary generators are designated as power sources operating as a principal source of power and are usually in continuous operation for long periods of time. These include generators used in remote areas as a primary power source, as well as those used for self-generation by corporations, schools or hospitals producing their own power.

The ARB also extended verification of CleanAIR Systems’ PERMIT™ filter until 2009 for use on stationary emergency generators to include all applications tested or certified to particulate matter (PM) levels of up to 0.2 g/bhp-hr. Emergency generators operate usually less than one hundred hours per year and are used as supplemental or back-up power generation in case of power loss.

For complete verification information on the PERMIT™ diesel particulate filter and engine operating criteria, the Executive Orders and Attachments can be found on the ARB website at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/vt/stationary.htm.

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. For contact information, visit www.cleanairsys.com.

New Mexico Company Exhibiting at International Conference

Santa Fe, NM – November 1, 2006 – When you flip on a switch, do you know where your electricity comes from? Or what kind of environmental impact it has on the earth? Many of us take for granted how electricity is generated, the fuel used in the process of generation and the pollution produced as a result of burning this fuel. For those attending Power-Gen International 2006 in Orlando, Florida from November 28-30, the focus is all about the where, when and how of power generation. For one New Mexico company, it will be an opportunity to present their state-of-the-art emissions control technology to an international audience.

CleanAIR Systems designs, tests, and manufactures equipment to substantially reduce air pollution produced by vehicles, stationary engines and power plants. For the past four years, a major part of CleanAIR’s business has been helping power plants, hospitals and companies using diesel stationary generators as a back-up power supply, to decrease their emissions of particulate matter (black smoke), carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Most recently CleanAIR Systems has developed technology to also reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides or NOx. A major problem in the fight against air pollution and global warming, NOx is produced by all power generation plants that burn fuel to make electricity (coal, natural gas, diesel, and even biodiesel).
As an exhibitor at Power-Gen, CleanAIR Systems will present their emissions control technology to over 16,000 attendees from all parts of the globe. Billed as the world’s largest conference on power generation, the exhibition will also boast 1,000 exhibitors representing the full scope of this market segment from coal-fired power plants to solar energy. According to the Power-Gen website, “Power-Gen International focuses on educating the industry on key trends and technologies impacting power generation, including operation, maintenance, construction, upgrading and design of natural gas and coal plants, plus renewable energy alternatives. Exhibits feature the latest in power products and technologies.”

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation.

EPA Plan Would Leave 77 Million Americans Vulnerable To Deadly Pollution

New York City, NY – September 13, 2006 – More than 77 million Americans could be left vulnerable to deadly particle pollution if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) follows through with a proposal to set weak public health standards for the pollutant, according to a new American Lung Association report.

By contrast, stronger new pollution standards supported by the Lung Association and other major medical and public health groups would protect 159 million people, the report concludes.
The report, Clean Air Decision 2006, was released as the EPA is about to announce a final decision on national air quality standards for particle pollution (soot), the most lethal of all air pollutants. It is produced by coal burning power plants, trucks, trains, traffic and other smokestack industries. The EPA is under a court order to announce a final decision on new standards by September 27.

“This is the most important public health decision the EPA will make this year. The decision will impact the health and lives of millions of people nationwide who currently breathe dirty, particulate-polluted air,” noted John L. Kirkwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Lung Association. “The EPA has a clear choice: Endorse strong new standards that will fully protect Americans from this deadly pollutant; or, the agency can continue to side with polluting industries and consign our citizens to years of choking pollution. We hope the EPA will make its decision based on science, not politics.”

Kirkwood explained that the public health standards “are the heart and lungs of the Clean Air Act.” They define the levels of air pollution that are safe for people to breathe. Every community in the nation must meet those standards through specific pollution cleanup programs such as controls on electric power plants.

The EPA last revised the particle standards in 1997. Since then, more than 2,000 peer-reviewed studies have been published on the health effects of particle pollution. The studies not only confirm earlier research that showed exposure to particle pollution causes sickness, hospital admissions and premature death, but that harm occurs even when pollution levels are well below current standards. People most vulnerable to particle pollution include children, senior citizens, and people with such chronic conditions as asthma, heart disease and diabetes. The American Lung Association, the American Medical Association and many other health and medical groups have urged the EPA to set tougher standards for both short- and long-term exposure to particle pollution. EPA’s own staff scientists and science advisers also have concluded that the current standards are not adequate to protect people’s health.

Despite this overwhelming evidence, the EPA has proposed making no change in the standard that governs annual exposure to particle pollution. It did propose a slight adjustment in the standard that governs daily exposure to the pollutant, though a much weaker standard than others under consideration.

“Scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the need for tougher standards both for long-term and short-term exposure to this deadly pollutant,” Janice Nolen, Lung Association Director of National Policy, declared.

In its report, the Lung Association analyzed the public health consequences of four different pairs of annual and daily standards, using EPA data from particle pollution monitors in counties nationwide from 2002-2004.

The report estimates the total number of people protected on the county, state and national levels under each of these pairings as well as the number of people protected on the state and national levels for eight sensitive groups: those under 18, those 65 and over, and those with pediatric asthma, adult asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease and diabetes.
To get a copy of the full Clean Air Decision 2006 report, go to the American Lung Association’s website at www.lungusa.org.

About the American Lung AssociationBeginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org.

ARB Considers Alternative Fuel Incentives

SACRAMENTO - Expedited development of alternative fuels received a boost today as the Air Resources Board (ARB) considered options on how to best spend $25 million allocated by new state legislation to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

"With the threat of global warming and today's unstable political climate affecting our resources, fully exploring use of alternative fuels is a top priority," said ARB Chairman Dr. Robert F. Sawyer. "Thanks to forward thinking and sound science, California sets an example for the country and for the world. We are excited by all the possibilities and challenges ahead, and hope that our efforts will help to further diversify and enhance our future energy options."

Assembly Bill 1811, which amends and supplements the Budget Act of 2006, directs the ARB to develop a joint plan with the California Energy Commission (CEC) to spend $25 million to provide incentives for the use and production of alternative fuels. The proposed allocation amounts were guided by the budget language and input from ARB and the CEC. The legislation requires the funds to be awarded by June 30, 2007, and no funds can be awarded for projects that include fuels derived from petroleum, coke or coal.

As proposed to the Board today, the $25 million will be generally allocated as follows, with final amounts assigned on a project-by-project basis:

- $8.5 million for alternative fuel vehicles (including demonstration programs for plug-in hybrids and clean transit buses);
- $7 million for fueling infrastructure (including incentives for E-85 and other alternative fuels);
- $5 million for biofuels production;
- $3.5 million for fuel/vehicle research (including emissions testing and vehicle performance and vapor recovery certification), and
- $1 million for education.

A public workshop on the funding program was held in September that drew more than 100 participants. Solicitations for projects are expected to be sent out in January, 2007, with decisions on the final slate of projects to be made next Spring. All funds must be expended by June 30, 2009.

For more information, please visit ARB's webpage on this topic here.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy cost, see our web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov

Clean Car Standards Clear Final Regulatory Hurdle

Independent Regulatory Review Commission Approves Clean Vehicles Program

HARRISBURG—The state's Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) voted 4-1 today to approve implementation of the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program, which will bring cleaner cars to Pennsylvania. The program is supported by public health and citizens groups, including the Pennsylvania Parent Teachers Association, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, and the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania.

With approval from the five member IRRC—and the expected sign-off from the Attorney General’s office—the program, which applies to new cars and trucks sold in Pennsylvania starting with model year 2008 models, can be fully adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). There is, however, legislation pending in the state House of Representatives that would block the Clean Vehicles Program from being fully implemented.

“Today’s vote is very good news for Pennsylvania’s environment and public health,” said Nathan Willcox, energy and clean air advocate for PennEnvironment. “Once adopted, the Clean Vehicles Program will be a critical step towards cutting the air pollution that triggers more than 300,000 asthma attacks annually in the Commonwealth.”

Smog pollution is known to trigger asthma, and is responsible for the “code red” pollution days during summer months across the Commonwealth. DEP estimates that annual emissions of smog-forming pollutants from cars and trucks will drop by roughly 10 percent by 2025 as a result of the Clean Vehicles Program. It is also expected that the program will result in a 10 percent cut in annual toxic benzene pollution and a nearly 25 percent reduction in annual global warming pollution from cars and trucks in Pennsylvania by 2025.

Public support for the Clean Vehicles Program was made clear earlier this year, during a public comment period conducted by the state’s Environmental Quality Board. Roughly 4,800 Pennsylvanians commented in support of the program, including 1,500 PennEnvironment activists. The program is also supported by groups including the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Women’s Health & Environmental Network, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and the Pennsylvania Parent Teachers Association. Also, 10 other states—including New York and New Jersey—have already adopted the same standards.

Despite the clear potential benefits of the Clean Vehicles Program and the public support behind it, some state legislators have worked with industry lobbyists to push legislation that would block adoption of the program. This legislation (SB 1025) had been stalled since the spring, but almost received a full floor vote in the state House of Representatives in October. Environmental and public health advocates fought hard against the bill’s movement, and will once again take up the fight should the state House choose to bring the bill up for a vote in its upcoming lame duck session.

“Pennsylvania can’t afford to take steps backward in the fight against air pollution, but that’s exactly what this bill would unfortunately do,” said Willcox. “PennEnvironment urges the House of Representatives to support the Clean Vehicles Program by rejecting SB 1025.”

$13.9 Million Clean Air Act Settlement with Multinational Soybean and Corn Processor Secures Major Pollution Reductions in Eight States

Settlement Expected to Eliminate More than 2,200 Tons of Harmful Emissions Annually

(Washington, D.C. - Oct. 26, 2006) A multi-state Clean Air Act (CAA) settlement, reached today with oilseed processor Bunge North America Inc. and three of its subsidiaries, will eliminate more than 2,200 tons of harmful pollution emissions per year when fully implemented. The $13.9 million settlement covers 12 plants in eight states, each of which has joined the United States as a co-plaintiff.

"Agricultural processing facilities can be major sources of air pollution and this settlement secures permanent and substantial emission reductions for citizens in the affected states," said Granta Y. Nakayama, EPA's assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "This agreement is evidence of the Bush Administration's continuing commitment to ensuring compliance with the Clean Air Act. EPA expects companies to act responsibly and within the law when it comes to protecting public health and the environment."

The settlement covers eleven soybean processing plants – in Decatur, Ala.; Marks, Miss.; Destrehan, La.; Emporia, Kan.; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Delphos, Ohio; Marion, Ohio; Decatur, Ind.; Morristown, Ind.; Cairo, Ill.; and Danville, Ill. – as well as a corn dry mill extraction plant also located in Danville, Ill. The U.S. alleges that at some or all of these 12 plants, Bunge or a subsidiary violated the CAA by constructing major modifications that increased emissions without obtaining pre-construction permits and without complying with applicable standards of performance for new air pollution sources.

The settlement, which follows other settlements with oilseed processors, including Cargill Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), will continue the imposition of lower emission standards on soybean processing plants and will also require other pollution reduction projects, including piloting of a new technology to reduce harmful emissions from coal-burning boilers. When fully implemented, the settlement will eliminate more than 2,200 tons per year of harmful emissions of smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM).

"This settlement will result in healthier air in the 11 airsheds where the plants are located. Eliminating over 1,000 tons of emissions of volatile organic compounds, for example, will reduce the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that irritates the lungs and exacerbates diseases such as asthma," said Sue Ellen Wooldridge, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "We remain committed to working with EPA and the states to bring companies and industries into compliance with the laws that protect public health and our environment."

Bunge, a multi-state agribusiness based in St. Louis, is the North American operating arm of multinational corporation Bunge Limited, and a leading oilseed processor, corn dry miller, and U.S. exporter of soybeans and soybean-derived products. To extract oil from soybeans or corn, Bunge and its subsidiaries use volatile organic solvents. Emissions of VOCs result because some of the solvent escapes to the atmosphere. NOx, SO2 and PM are emitted when fuel is burned to provide heat for the process; additional PM is emitted by handling and preparation of the soybeans or corn.

Once fully implemented, the settlement will cause Bunge and its subsidiaries to reduce their emissions of harmful air pollutants as follows:

- Using engineering approaches appropriate for each plant, the 12 plants' emissions of VOCs, including n-hexane, which is a listed hazardous air pollutant, will be reduced by 1,122 tons per year (tpy).
- A host of pollution control projects at the plants, including the innovative technology pilot, will reduce emissions of SO2 by 574 tpy, of NOx by 278 tpy, and of PM by 258 tpy.

The emission reduction projects will cost an estimated $12 million. Bunge will also pay a $625,000 civil penalty, which will be divided among the federal government and the eight states. In addition, Bunge will spend more than $1.25 million to implement supplemental environmental projects which go beyond mere compliance to achieve additional environmental benefits. The supplemental projects, which were selected by and will be supervised by the eight states, include removal of mercury, lead or asbestos from schools in Louisiana, providing hazardous materials response equipment and training in Illinois and Mississippi, providing environmental education in Kansas, abatement of residential lead contamination in Illinois, and retrofitting diesel school buses or other diesel vehicles in Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa and Alabama.

The Department of Justice lodged the consent decree today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Urbana in the judicial district and division where the Danville plants are located. The consent decree will be subject to a 30-day public comment period and subsequent judicial approval. It is available on the Justice Department web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html

WHO Challenges World to Improve Air Quality

October 5, 2006 -- GENEVA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) is today challenging governments around the world to improve air quality in their cities in order to protect people's health. The call comes as WHO unveils its new Air Quality Guidelines with dramatically lower standards for levels of pollutants. WHO believes that reducing levels of one particular type of pollutant (known as PM10) could reduce deaths in polluted cities by as much as 15% every year. The Guidelines also substantially lower the recommended limits of ozone and sulphur dioxide.

The Air quality guidelines for the first time address all regions of the world and provide uniform targets for air quality. These targets are far tougher than the national standards currently applied in many parts of the world - and in some cities would mean reducing current pollution levels by more than three-fold.

Air pollution is estimated to cause approximately 2 million premature deaths worldwide per year. More than half of this burden is borne by people in developing countries. In many cities, the average annual levels of PM10 (the main source of which is the burning of fossil and other types of fuels) exceed 70 micrograms per cubic metre. The new Guidelines say that, to prevent ill health, those levels should be lower than 20 micrograms per cubic metre.

“By reducing particulate matter pollution from 70 to 20 micrograms per cubic metre as set out in the new Guidelines, we estimate that we can cut deaths by around 15%," said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director of Public Health and the Environment. "By reducing air pollution levels, we can help countries to reduce the global burden of disease from respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer which they otherwise would be facing. Moreover, action to reduce the direct impact of air pollution will also cut emissions of gases which contribute to climate change and provide other health benefits."

Given the increasing evidence of the health impact of air pollution, WHO revised its existing Air quality guidelines (AQGs) for Europe and expanded them to produce the first guidelines which are applicable worldwide. These global guidelines are based on the latest scientific evidence and set targets for air quality which would protect the large majority of individuals from the effects of air pollution on health.

“These new guidelines have been established after a worldwide consultation with more than 80 leading scientists and are based on review of thousands of recent studies from all regions of the world. As such, they present the most widely agreed and up-to-date assessment of health effects of air pollution, recommending targets for air quality at which the health risks are significantly reduced. We look forward to working with all countries to ensure these Guidelines become part of national law,” says Dr Roberto Bertollini, Director of the Special Programme for Health and Environment of WHO's Regional Office for Europe.

Many countries around the world do not have regulations on air pollution, which makes the control of this important risk factor for health virtually impossible. The national standards which do exist vary substantially, and do not ensure sufficient protection for human health. While the World Health Organization accepts the need for governments to set national standards according to their own particular circumstances, these guidelines indicate levels of pollution at which the risk to health is minimal. As such, the new WHO guidelines provide the basis for all countries to build their own air quality standards and policies supporting health with solid, scientific evidence.

Air pollution, in the form of particulate matter or sulfur dioxide, ozone or nitrogen dioxide, has a serious impact on health. For example, in the European Union, the smallest particulate matter alone (PM2.5) causes an estimated loss of statistical life expectancy of 8.6 months for the average European. While particulate matter is considered to be the main air pollution risk factor for human health, the new Guidelines also recommend a lower daily limit for ozone, reduced from 120 down to 100 micrograms per cubic metre. Achievement of such levels will be a challenge for many cities, especially in developing countries, and particularly those with numerous sunny days when ozone concentrations reach the highest levels, causing respiratory problems and asthma attacks.

For sulfur dioxide, the guideline level was reduced from 125 to 20 micrograms per cubic metre: experience has demonstrated that relatively simple actions can rapidly lower sulfur dioxide levels and directly result in lower rates of childhood death and disease. The guideline level for nitrogen dioxide remains unchanged; however, meeting these limits, which are essential to prevent the health consequences of exposure such as bronchitis, remains a great challenge in many areas where car traffic is intensive.

The guidelines propose progressive interim targets and provide milestones in achieving better air quality. “Building upon the work carried out for several years on air pollution, WHO has now set new targets which Member States can refer to in setting policy. The countries can measure their distance to these objectives, estimate the health impact of current pollution levels and benefit from health gains by reducing them,” says Dr. Michal Krzyzanowski, Regional Adviser for Air Quality, of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, coordinating the process of the Guidelines’ update from the WHO office in Bonn.

Visit WHO International at www.who.int