85 Percent of Highway Diesel Fuel Meets EPA Standards

(Washington, D.C. - December 8, 2006) New, cleaner diesel fuel is producing cleaner air, according to preliminary surveys and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Surveys of retail stations since mid-October show that about 85 percent of highway diesel fuel meets Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) standards, exceeding the 80 percent regulatory mandate. 100 percent of highway diesel fuel must meet the ULSD standards by 2010. "These results show that we are making significant progress in protecting the environment and public health," said Bill Wehrum, EPA's Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. Having clean diesel fuel at the pump will help all Americans breathe easier. ULSD fuel has 97 percent less sulfur than diesel fuel produced in previous years. Under EPA's clean diesel programs, ULSD, combined with new engine emission control technology kicking in next year, will deliver billions of dollars in environmental and public health benefits by preventing nearly 20,000 premature deaths and tens of thousands of cases of respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and asthma.

Although almost all pumps contain ULSD, preliminary data indicates that some retail stations have not properly labeled their diesel pumps as such. Proper labeling is critical for consumers to know that they are using the correct fuel for new clean diesel cars and light trucks coming on the market.

EPA is working with the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance to help provide additional public information and raise awareness of the importance of proper labeling. For more information on the Alliance go to: http://www.clean-diesel.org/

Governor Richardson To Review Ideas to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Santa Fe, NM - December 1 -- Governor Bill Richardson's Climate Change Advisory Group announced today that New Mexico could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 267 million metric tons and create a projected $2 billion net economic savings for New Mexico's economy over the next decade if the state adopts 69 policies they developed on climate change.

The group, created by Governor Richardson in 2005, was tasked with developing policy recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The diverse group has been working on its recommendations for more than a year and sent its final report to the Governor today.

"Climate change ranks as one of the most serious environmental challenges we face today, and the federal government has not showed leadership in addressing it," Governor Richardson said. "The implications of climate change for New Mexico - especialy our freshwater and snowpack - are potentially severe if we don't act now."

"Climate change issues are at the top of the list of priorities in New Mexico, across the nation and in many nations around the world," said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry. "With Governor Richardson's leadership, we were the first state to join the Chicago Climate Exchange and we are well ahead of other states on addressing these issues."

The recommendations would create greenhouse gas emissions reductions through initiatives in transportation, land use, energy supply, agriculture, forestry and energy use in residential, commercial and industrial operations. Some of the top recommendations of the advisory group are to increase the renewable energy portfolio, create incentives for energy efficiency in buildings, require cleaner cars and reduce emissions from oil and gas production.

Governor Richardson has already taken steps that are in line with the recommendations of the advisory group. For example, the state's renewable portfolio standard requires that ten percent of all electricity be produced from renewable sources by 2011, and the Governor will work to increase the percentage further during the next session of the Legislature. On October 31, 2006, the Governor announced a far-reaching package of energy proposals including a $23 million investment in energy efficiency and green buildings, a recurring investment of $9.6 million for land, wildlife and clean energy projects and $3 million in tax incentives for biofuels, energy efficient appliances and renewable energy manufacturers.

In spring 2005, Gov. Richardson issued an executive order establishing greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for New Mexico and called for the creation of the advisory group to meet those goals. The state's greenhouse gas reduction goals were targeted to meet year 2000 levels by 2012, 10 percent below 2000 levels by 2020 and 75 percent below 2000 levels by 2050. New Mexico, along with Arizona and California, is among a growing number of states to create climate change advisory groups.

New Mexico's advisory group consisted of about 40 representatives from tribes, industry, agriculture, universities and our national labs and environmental nonprofit groups. The group met six times around the state for the past year and a half to gather public input for the process. Technical workgroups developed details of recommendations and determined emissions reductions and cost savings.

Earth911.Org Introduces New Global Warming Web Resource

Newly Launched Section Builds on National Effort to Raise Awareness About Impact of Global Warming; Recognized as Valuable Public Resource for Anyone Wanting to 'Go Green'

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 06, 2006 -- Responding to increased awareness and the need for greater public resources dedicated to addressing the global warming trends, Earth 911 -- part of the Global Alerts' cause media network, and the nation's portal for environmental action and information -- has launched a new section dedicated exclusively to Global Warming. Visitors to Earth911.org will now have access to comprehensive educational and actionable information designed to help them better understand what global warming is, and what efforts they can take to help combat its devastating effects.

"Global Warming affects us all. Earth 911 has always been designed and committed to creating a network accessible by individuals, communities and organizations for the latest information on local and national environmental issues and resources," said Jeffrey Rassás, President and CEO of Global Alerts. "Our new section dedicated to Global Warming is a natural extension of our larger vision -- to provide resources that empower individuals, communities and corporations to make a difference."

The Earth 911 Global Warming resource page includes background on what causes Global Warming, and an overview of the effects -- including links to heat and sun index safety, weather details, and world data. Information on what national and international organizations and agencies are doing to address Global Warming issues is also available. Visitors can learn more about programs and other organizations dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or access information on U.S. Climate Policy and Actions.


Understanding Individual Impact

Did You Know? According to the U.S. EPA, individuals can impact nearly 32% of the total emissions per person by the choices made in only three areas. By visiting Earth911.org, visitors can learn how they can make the most impact in reducing carbon emissions through educated choices about the electricity used in their homes, the waste they produce, and the transportation they choose to use.

Since launching in 1991, Earth 911.org has been recognized throughout the industry with numerous awards, including the Al Gore Hammer Award and the National Information Infrastructure Award for Recycling.

"We hope that as the Earth 911 portal continues to expand, it will increasingly become a place people turn to help stay informed about environmental issues, and share knowledge with others to enable all to act now and make a difference," concluded Rassás.

About Earth911
Founded in 1991, Earth911.org is the nation's premier one-stop environmental Web portal. Earth 911 consolidates community-specific environmental resources into a single, user-friendly information network. It is the mission of Earth 911 to empower the public with local resources needed to improve their quality of life. Through the use of patent-pending alerting technology from its parent company, Global Alerts, and ZIP Code-based applications, Earth 911 helps residents and businesses protect and improve the environment. Community-specific alerts, such as beach water quality alerts, inform citizens of urgent environmental news in their area. As a unique Public and Private Sector Partnership, the Earth 911 network is supported by the private sector so it can be provided at no cost to taxpayers and government. 1-800-CLEANUP is listed on billions of household product container labels guiding consumers to important recycling and disposal information.

EPA Draft Staff Paper Outlines Lead Air Quality Standards Review

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing its first Draft Staff Paper for the Lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The document is part of the agency's review of the lead NAAQS to ensure that federal air quality standards reflect the latest air pollution and health effects research. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set, and periodically review, NAAQS for six major pollutants.

This initial draft document does not include any conclusions or recommendations with regard to keeping or changing the current lead air quality standard. The draft includes assessments and preliminary analyses related to: air quality characterization; integration and evaluation of health information; human exposure analysis and health risk assessment; evaluation and analysis of information on vegetation damage and other welfare effects. The draft is based upon the agency's Air Quality Criteria Document for Lead, which was issued in October 2006.

As a result of removing lead from gasoline and other EPA regulations, airborne lead concentrations have decreased dramatically in the United States. From 1980 to 2005, national lead air quality levels have dropped more than 90 percent.

Later this month, EPA will release its draft Lead Human Exposure and Health Risk Assessments and Ecological Risk Assessment for Selected Areas (Pilot Phase). This technical support document will present initial results from the exposure and risk assessments that are summarized and discussed in the First Draft Lead Staff Paper.

EPA will accept public comment on the lead documents until Feb. 5, 2007.

To date, the lead NAAQS review has followed our historic approach to reviewing NAAQS, including issuance of a criteria document and a first draft staff paper. The agency is now moving forward to implement a new, more efficient process for conducting NAAQS reviews.

EPA intends to transition to the new process during the course of the lead NAAQS review. Copies of the draft staff paper and a related fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/pb/s_pb_cr_sp.html

More about the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/pb/s_pb_index.html

Digging Up Trouble!

A health report released on December 6th by the Union of Concerned Scientists states the health impact in California related to emissions from diesel construction equipment.

Digging Up Trouble: The Health Risks of Construction Pollution

- Premature Deaths 1,132
- Respiratory Hospitalizations 669
- Cardiovascualr Hospitalizations 417
- Asthma and Other Lower Respiratory Symptoms 30,118
- Acute Bronchitis 2,494
- Lost Work Days 182,940
- Minor Restricted Activity Days 1,544,952
- School Absences 331,040

Total Annual Cost $9,140,480

From the report:

The impact of construction pollution on public health is greatest where
equipment and people mix, and 90 percent of the health and economic damage
occurs in California’s five most populous air basins:

- The South Coast air basin (which encompasses most of Los Angeles, Orange,
Riverside, and San Bernardino counties) ranks first with more than 700 premature
deaths and more than 1,000 hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular
illness annually.

- The San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego follow, with more than 150 and 89
premature deaths, respectively, every year.

- The San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley (the two largest air basins in
California’s Central Valley) round out the top five with 49 and 39 annual premature deaths, respectively.

Report Analyzes Construction Pollution Impact in California

Newswise — In California, pollution from construction equipment in 2005 was responsible for an estimated 1,132 premature deaths, nearly 183,000 lost work days, 1,086 hospitalizations, and $9.1 billion dollars in annual costs, according to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). Nine out of every ten construction-related health effects in California have occurred in the state’s five most populated air basins.

“Construction pollution is taking a heavy toll on the health of all Californians,” said Don Anair, author of the report and a Clean Vehicles Engineer in UCS’s Berkeley, California office. “Construction equipment being used to build our hospitals shouldn’t be responsible for filling them up.”

The report, Digging up Trouble: the Health Risks of Construction Pollution in California, is the first to quantify the consequences of construction pollution on California’s health and economy. The methodology, based on established government methods, is conservative and does not represent all potential damage associated with diesel pollution.

The study includes regional analyses of Construction Risk Zones in the five areas most affected by construction pollution. UCS researchers combined city population densities with a statewide database of construction permits to identify the Risk Zones, areas where the presence of construction activity significantly raises the risk of exposure to pollution.

Lagging engine standards and long equipment life make construction equipment one of the largest sources of diesel pollution in the state. Today, the average excavator emits in one hour as much particle matter as a new big rig tractor-trailer traveling 1,100 miles. The Environmental Protection Agency adopted emissions standards for new engines in 2004, but benefits from federal regulations will not be fully realized until some time after 2030 because construction equipment lasts for decades.

Phasing out the oldest, most polluting equipment, installing new engines and retrofitting other engines with clean technologies could significantly reduce diesel emissions. California’s Air Resources Board is developing a regulatory measure to cut diesel emissions from existing construction equipment, but the construction industry is resisting such rules.

“Reducing diesel engine pollution is one of the most cost-effective strategies for cleaning up the air, with benefits outweighing the costs by a factor of ten-to-one” Anair said. “But equipment owners need a push to start investing in clean, affordable technology available today to reduce costly construction pollution.”