EPA Seeks to Cut International Ship Emissions

On Nov. 29th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced plans for new emission standards for diesel engines on board large ocean-going vessels. The advance notice of proposed rulemaking reflects the approach set out in the U.S. Government's recent proposal to the International Maritime Organization and would require the use of high-efficiency aftertreatment technology and lower sulfur marine fuels to reduce NOx and PM emissions.

"Diesel ships are a global economic workhorse. By advancing clean diesel technology, this economic workhorse can become an environmental workhorse," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Working with the International Maritime Organization, EPA is reducing emissions from the shipping sector – making ports across the world harbors of cleaner air."

The advance notice of proposed rulemaking targets emissions from the largest marine diesel engines. These "Category 3" marine engines are used primarily for propulsion power on ocean-going vessels, such as container ships, tankers, cruise ships and bulk carriers. As foreign trade grows and new emissions controls take effect on other transportation sources, emissions from these ships comprise an increasing share of the nation's pollution inventory.

The approach described in both the domestic and international initiatives would consist of performance-based standards for new and existing Category 3 engines, including:

· Tier 2 NOx limits for new Category 3 engines beginning in 2011 that would achieve a 15 to 25 percent NOx reduction.

· Tier 3 NOx limits for new Category 3 engines beginning in 2016 that would apply when ships are operating in U.S. ports and coastal areas and that would require the use of high efficiency catalytic aftertreatment emission control technology capable of reducing NOx emissions by 80 percent or more.

· NOx limits for existing engines (those built before Jan. 1, 2000) that would achieve a 20 percent NOx reduction; these standards would phase-in beginning 2010/2012

· PM and SOx performance standards beginning in 2011 that would apply to all vessels when they are operating in U.S. ports and coastal areas and that could be achieved through the use of low sulfur fuel or the use of exhaust gas cleaning technology.

EPA is providing 60 days for comments on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking. In addition, a schedule for this rulemaking was finalized today, setting a completion date of Dec. 17, 2009.

More information about the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, the timetable for rulemaking, and the government's proposal to the International Maritime Organization (which is presented as a series of amendments to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is available at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm

New Mexico Leads the Fight Against Global Warming with Clean Car Program

New Mexico has become the first Intermountain state to implement the Clean Car program after the state's Environmental Improvement Board voted on November 27th to approve the regulations addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars.

The program goes into effective Jan. 1, 2008, requiring car manufacturers to sell and lease vehicles that meet the standards beginning with model year 2011. The program only applies to new vehicles and will not affect new or used cars sold before that model year.

“The Clean Cars Program is a key part of our state’s effort to reduce global warming emissions to the levels necessary to avoid the worst effects of a warming planet,” said Governor Richardson. “Today’s decision by the Environmental Improvement Board means New Mexico can implement the cleanest standards for vehicle emissions in the country. New Mexico is again taking action, when Washington won’t.”

“New Mexico is taking deliberate steps to protect the environment from the effects of global warming for future generations because the EPA has failed to do so,” Governor Richardson said. “I believe other intermountain states will take New Mexico’s lead and implement the program as well. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and demanding vehicles with a cleaner carbon footprint will help states reverse the effects of global warming – one of the most important issues of our time.”

“The Clean Car standard will help protect our state from the effects of climate change, including public health concerns, increasing temperatures and lessening snow pack and stream flows.” said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry. “Under Governor Richardson's administration, we will continue to fight to make New Mexico a role model in combating climate change. The Clean Car program is a major step forward that will improve our air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.”

The program requires reductions in tailpipe emissions to reduce air pollution, overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles sold in the state and sales of some Zero Emission Vehicles in the state. The program regulates emissions of non-methane organic gases, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and air conditioning refrigerants. Under the program, consumers will be able to purchase the same cars and light trucks but those vehicles will be manufactured slightly differently to reduce air pollution from the vehicle’s tailpipe and gain greater fuel economy. Studies of the program show that upfront costs for clean cars are more than made up for in fuel efficiency.

"The Clean Car Program now has a foothold across the nation," said Environmental Improvement Board Chairwoman Gay Dillingham. "This is a tremendous opportunity for our country and American manufacturers to take back the lead in environmental protection and innovation reminiscent of the 1970s when Congress passed the Clean Air Act and car production and sales in this nation were at historic highs. I applaud the Governor’s visionary leadership on global warming as exemplified by the clean car regulations. From the testimony in this hearing I can say the American people are overwhelmingly asking for this leadership and these regulations.”

The Climate Change Advisory Group -- including representatives from various industries, oil and gas companies, utilities, environmentalists, the labs, universities and local governments -- recommended the program as one of the most affordable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico. The Governor then directed the department to present a proposal to adopt the California Clean Car standard to the EIB before the end of the year. The Clean Air Act requires that manufacturers have a two year lead time before implementing the rule. The rule will be effective January 1, 2008 and with the required lead time, will be fully implemented in model year 2011. That model year is the same as calendar year 2010.

Transportation, which accounts for about 17 percent of New Mexico’s greenhouse gas emissions, is the third largest and fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. In adopting the program, New Mexico joins 11 other states representing more than 35 percent of the American population — about 104 million people and about 78 million potential car buyers.

In the Four Corners region, Arizona and Utah are also committed to adopt those standards and Colorado is considering it. Under Governor Richardson’s administration, New Mexico also joined nine states and provinces in the Western Climate Initiative, which commits those states to Clean Cars as part of a collaborative regional effort.

Governor Richardson recently joined 13 governors in calling on automobile manufacturers to produce cars with a cleaner carbon footprint, withdraw legal challenges to clean vehicle standards, and begin working with the states to reverse the threat of global warming. New Mexico was also the first state in the nation to join the Chicago Climate Exchange and the first major energy state to fight climate change.

See the Source:

New Mexico Environment Department

Find out:

About CleanAIR Systems, an emissions control manufacturer based in New Mexico.

global-warming

emission standards

Air Pollution Facts: Current Stats from the News

1. Iowa’s Clear the Air (a coalition of organizations fighting global warming) reports the following Iowa state statistics according to data collected by consultants for the EPA:
- 323 annual deaths attributed to fine particle pollution from power plants
- 40,988 lost work days
- 333 hospitalzations
- 7,322 asthma attacks

2. The Senate has recently passed a bill that will require car owners to buy:
- 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022

But Nobel Prize recipient, Paul Crutzen, warns that intensive cultivation of biofuels could actually increase the greenhouse effect up to 70% MORE than burning fossil fuels. According to Crutzen, a byproduct of fertilizer used in growing biofuels is nitrous oxide. This greenhouse gas has almost 300 times the heat-trapping properties of CO2 (one of the most common greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels).

3. Levels of ozone and particulate matter in Europe have not improved since 1997, despite significant reductions in pollutants from emissions.

4. Global energy demands will rise by 50% by the year 2030, from 85 millions barrels of oil a day to 116 million barrels a day, according to the International Energy Agency. Almost half of the increase in demand will be attributed to China and India.

5. Sea level is projected to rise 1 to 3 feet within the next 100 years due to global warming and climate change.

6. To date, the US Congress has not passed a single bill to cap and reduce global warming pollution in the United State’s.

7. In California alone, 28,000 tons of particulate matter are emitted annually from diesel-fueled vehicles and engines. This includes 1 million+ on- and off-road vehicles, 16,000 stationary engines, and approximately 50,000 portable engines.

8. Due to smog and particulate matter, India is now receiving less sunlight than it did 20 years ago.

9. Air pollution is costing China 3.8 percent of its gross domestic product, with particulate matter becoming a major health threat.

10. China’s combined health and non-health cost of outdoor air pollution and water pollution is about 100 billion U.S. dollars annually according to the World Bank.

Find out:

How to cut emissions of particulate matter from diesel on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary engines by using diesel particulate filters from CleanAIR Systems.

air pollution
diesel emissions

Got a California Diesel Truck? Take the ARB Survey

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is conducting an online survey on the use of certain on-road diesel trucks, such as long-haul and local delivery, to gather info on their use and age. CARB is requesting any person, business or corporation in California that owns or leases, for twelve months or more, any diesel-powered truck, bus, pickup, or other vehicle to complete the survey.

To access the Heavy-Duty Vehicles Survey go to:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/onroad_survey/index.php

ARB Settles with Waste Management for over $1 million

Trash hauler failed to inspect diesel trucks for excess smoke

SACRAMENTO - Waste Management recently settled with the California Air Resources Board for more than $1 million for failing to properly inspect its diesel truck fleet to assure state emission standards were met.

Waste Management, the nation's largest trash hauler, settled for air quality violations that occurred in 2004 and 2005 throughout the state.

"Trash pick-up is a critical service, but emissions spewed from uninspected trucks are not something Californians should pay for with their health," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Our enforcement teams will continue to ensure clean air laws are taken seriously."

California's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, which requires annual smoke opacity tests of California-based fleets, in conjunction with a roadside smoke inspection program, is used to ensure that all of California's heavy-duty vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

In addition to the settlement monies, Waste Management has agreed to comply with the smoke inspection program and will require all fleet staff responsible for compliance with the ARB's regulations to attend classes conducted by the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology. Waste Management must also supply to ARB all smoke inspection records for the 2007 and subsequent four years.

All monies are being paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technology. This fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, uses compliance settlement fees to support various pollution-related research projects and related programs.

The state has more than 12,000 diesel-fueled commercial and residential solid waste and recycling collection vehicles. Waste collection is a weekly event in most areas, and in some cases, neighborhoods are served by three collection vehicles each week.

Unchecked, emissions from these trucks contribute to toxic diesel particulate matter levels that are a danger to public health.

Diesel emissions contribute to poor air quality throughout the state.

See the Source:
California Air Resources Board

Find out:
How to cut emissions on waste collection vehicles using diesel oxidation catalysts or diesel particulate filters.

diesel emissions
air pollution

EPA Goes Google with Hi-Tech Online Air Quality Tools

Ever use your computer to "fly" through the mountains, or zoom in on a satellite picture of your house? Now you can use the same technology to learn more about emissions and air quality across the country and where you live.

EPA has developed two tools that allow users "see" air quality information on a virtual globe. Both tools were unveiled to the public on Monday.

"Google has changed the way people use the Internet. By combining their innovative mapping tools with our air data, EPA and Google are changing the way people use the Internet to protect their health," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

The first tool is part of the new "Air Emission Sources" Web site, which is designed to make emissions data for six common pollutants easy to find and understand. Based on the latest National Emissions Inventory, the site uses charts and Google Earth files to answer a user’s questions. Users can look at overall emissions, emissions by type of industry, or emissions by largest polluter.

Want to know what industry emits the most sulfur dioxide in your state? Select your state from a map, pick a pollutant, and the site creates a chart showing you emissions by industry. Want to "see" which refineries in your state emit the most sulfur dioxide? Use the "tilt" feature in Google Earth to quickly find the largest emitter. Then click on the balloon to get more details about emissions from that facility.

EPA also is providing Air Quality Index (AQI) information in the Google Earth format. Use the AQI tool to quickly see air quality across the country, then click on a specific location to see that city’s AQI forecast and current levels of ozone or particle pollution.

The AQI is EPA’s color-coded tool to inform the public about daily air pollution levels in their communities. EPA, in collaboration with state and local governments, provides AQI forecasts and conditions for more than 300 cities across the United States.

See the Source:
EPA - Air Emissions Sources
View information in Google Earth format about which facilities emit any of six common pollutants
Air Quality Index forecasts and current conditions
See Acid Rain Program data

air pollution
particle pollution

Dangerous Ferry Emissions in California

This photo is of a California ferry service taken by a citizen reporter and posted on Flickr with her comments. Diesel ferries and other harbor craft emit dangerous particulate matter (black soot) that can cause serious health problems such as lung impairment, heart attacks and even premature death.

Here are a few statistics just posted by the California Air Resources Board:
- 3 tons of diesel soot and 73 tons of NOx: the amount of pollutants emitted daily from California harbor craft
- 4,200: an estimate of how many harbor craft vessels operate in California
- 600: number of CA ferries, excursion vessels, tugboats and towboats that require emissions reduction under a new ARB ruling to cut emissions by 50% by 2015

Thank you to Luxomdedia for providing the photo for this post. Here are her comments:
A plume of deadly diesel exhaust pours from the Blue and Gold Fleet Ferry service to Oakland Alameda. They do not use diesel particulate filters and the ferry manager said they do not have any plans to install them. An average of 900 people ride the ferry every day, including school children. The people who work on the ferry get the most exposure to it.

The company received roughly $1.5 million in Carl Moyer grant funding from Bay Area Air-Quality Management in 2006, including $677,531 for this vessel to be upgraded. They also raised their ticket prices for capital improvements. It seems that the vessel just "goes in for service" often, but no long-term air quality improvements are made. I usually enjoy riding the ferry, and the service and people who work there are great, but what's the point when you can't breathe fresh air? What is also concerning is that B&G claim to be clean, green and environmentally sound. I don't see any "green waves" here, do you? I am looking forward to when this is really a clean, green commute. Until then, I think I WILL hold my breath.

Check out the California Air Resources Board, and the Clean Air Task Force public health information about Diesel Exhaust, which causes cancer and other health problems contributing to thousands of premature deaths per year.

See the Source:
Luxomedia on Flickr

Find out:
About diesel particulate filters that can be used to retrofit ferries, reducing diesel particulate matter by more than 85%.

air pollution
diesel emissions

ARB Approves Measures to Reduce Pollution from Commercial Harbor Craft

New regulation expected to cut emissions by 50 percent by 2015

The Air Resources Board today approved a measure designed to reduce harmful emissions from commercial ferries, excursion vessels such as dinner cruises and tour boats, tugs and towboats in California waters as much as 50 percent by 2015.

With this rule in place, ARB expects emissions of diesel soot and oxides of nitrogen, and their negative health impacts, to be reduced by 40-50 percent by 2015, and 60-70 percent by 2025, compared to 2004 levels. The new measure for commercial harbor craft does not include recreational or ocean-going vessels.

"Today's Board action brings new protection to the thousands of Californians who live and work in port communities," said ARB Chair Mary Nichols. "While harbor craft play a vital role at our ports and along our coast, they also contribute significantly to air emissions most responsible for premature death, respiratory illnesses, and increased risk of heart disease. With today's vote, ARB is now regulating yet another diesel source that has fouled California's air for years."

Roughly 3 tons of diesel soot and 73 tons of NOx are emitted from commercial harbor craft engines daily. A recent ARB study revealed that, for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, commercial harbor craft is the third highest source of diesel soot emissions contributing to cancer risk at the ports.

Statewide, approximately 90 premature deaths per year are associated with emissions from commercial harbor craft.

Currently, about 80 percent of all harbor craft engines in California are unregulated. The new regulation requires these dirty, older engines currently in use on ferries, excursion vessels, tugboats, and towboats to be replaced with newer, cleaner engines meeting more stringent U.S. EPA marine engine standards. Replacements are to be phased in starting in 2009, with the oldest, highest-use engines to be replaced first. In addition, commercial harbor craft operating in the South Coast area are required to replace their engines on an accelerated schedule, in order to help meet federally mandated air quality deadlines.

The regulation exempts certain existing harbor craft from the engine replacement requirements of the regulation such as fishing boats, crew and supply boats, pilot boats, and work boats, such as those operated by police and fire departments and other government entities. However, all new harbor craft, including these vessels, are regulated under this measure and must use the cleanest available marine engines. Similarly, replacement engines on all existing harbor craft will need to be the cleanest available.

The ARB estimates that there are about 4,200 harbor craft vessels and 8,300 harbor craft engines currently in use in California, with each vessel typically having more than one engine. Of these, there are nearly 600 ferries, excursion vessels, tugboats, and towboats equipped with about 1,900 propulsion and auxiliary engines that will be subject to this regulation. While these represent only 15 percent of the vessels (25 percent of the engines), they generate about 50 percent of the emissions. Additionally, most of their emissions are generated within the harbor or close to shore and thus have the greatest impact on adjacent communities. About 40 percent of these vessels are in the Bay Area, while 30 percent service the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The remainder are scattered throughout the State.

Over the past two years, ARB has addressed the problem of poor air quality at the ports from several different angles, adopting measures that reduce emissions from cargo handling equipment, require use of cleaner fuel in auxiliary ship engines, and limit onboard ship incineration. In December, ARB will consider two more regulations, including a measure to provide alternative power supplies at ports so that ships can avoid using diesel power while at dock, and a rule requiring retrofit or replacement of older heavy-duty diesel trucks that service ports.

Source:
California Air Resources Board

Find out:
How diesel particulate filters can reduce diesel emissions from ferries by greater than 85%.

air pollution

Hot Off the PDF Press: CleanAIR Systems’ Emissions and Product Guidebook

Environmental consultants and equipment dealers for diesel powered engines know the importance of emissions control regulations. So does CleanAIR Systems. Today’s air quality standards are tough and getting tougher. With daily changes being made to CARB and EPA rulings, it’s hard to keep up-to-date and informed. To make the job less demanding, CleanAIR Systems, a leading manufacturer of emissions control technology, has compiled a free 60-page, PDF e-book entitled the Emissions and Product Guidebook.

Distributed as a no-cost service to qualified consultants and dealers, the hyperlinked Emissions and Product Guidebook includes:
- Current regulatory information, emissions summary charts and resource links from the California - Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- A glossary on emissions control technology
- FAQs related to emissions control
- An extensive directory of abbreviations and acronyms related to air pollution
- A directory of California Air Quality Agencies
- Current EU regulations
- Product cut-sheets from CleanAIR Systems

Environmental and engineering consultants, as well as equipment dealers, often face the task of bringing a client into compliance with air quality standards. From identifying regulatory requirements to analyzing possible emissions control technologies to implementing long-term strategies, the job can be daunting. By publishing the easy-to-use Emissions and Product Guidebook, CleanAIR Systems hopes to make the task less time-consuming and problematic.

To request the Emissions and Product Guidebook go to http://www.cleanairsys.com/emissionsguide/contact.asp.

Those who sign-up to receive the Guidebook will also be emailed future updates as part of the free service from CleanAIR Systems.

About CleanAIR Systems:
CleanAIR Systems is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution such as diesel particulate matter and NOx, for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. Visit CleanAIR Systems online at http://www.cleanairsys.com/.

air pollution
emissions control

10 Pollution Fast Facts: Statistics to Make You Think

The staff at CleanAIR Systems keeps track of all kinds of air pollution statics and facts reported from recent environmental studies. Here's a selection of recent air pollution information:

1. During winter months, 49 percent of soot and other particle pollution in Sacramento is caused by burning wood in fireplaces and wood stoves.

2. According to the World Health Organization, if you are one of the 18 million residents of Cairo:
- Breathing daily air pollution is like smoking 20 cigarettes a day
- You take in over 20 times the acceptable level of air pollution each day

3. The World Bank reported in 2002 that pollution causes 2.42 billion dollars worth of damage to the Egyptian environment annually - equaling about 5 percent of the country’s annual gross domestic product.

4. The risk of cancer from breathing diesel exhaust is about ten times more than ingesting all other toxic air pollutants combined, with diesel emissions contributing to over 70% of the cancer risk from air pollution in the USA. – reported by Environmental Defense

5. The Boston area ranks number 5 in the country for premature deaths due to diesel pollution annually. – reported by the Clean Air Task Force

In the state of Massachusetts alone, diesel emissions are responsible for the following annual statistics:
- 450 premature deaths
- 700 non-fatal heart attacks
- 9,900 asthma attacks
- 13,000 respirator symptoms in children
- 60,000 work loss days

6. According to Carnegie Institution’s Department of Global Ecology, carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) is rising at an alarming rate. During the 1990s, carbon dioxide emissions increased approximately 1.3% each year. But since 2000, the rate has increased to 3.3% per year, with an estimated annual global CO2 emissions increase of 35% from 1990 to 2006.

7. A recent study from Toronto Public Health estimates over 440 deaths a year in the Canadian city can be directly attributed to traffic emissions.

8. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have:
- Contributed 25% of the total diesel particulate emissions in the Los Angeles Basin.
- Added more NOx emissions to the atmosphere than all of the 6 million cars operating in this area of California.
- Have not complete an environment impact report for infrastructure improvement projects in six years.

9. Emissions from ocean-going ships contribute to approximately 60,000 deaths each year, mostly from heart and lung-related cancers. Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong rank within the world’s top 5 busiest ports, and experience a higher impact from emissions-related health issues.

10. According to the US-EPA, emissions from power plants contribute to over 2,800 lung cancer deaths and 38,200 heart attacks annually in the US.

Find out:

About reducing air pollution using diesel particulate filters, diesel oxiation converters and selective catalytic reduction.

air pollution
particle pollution

Inconvenient Truths about Biofuels and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

“Ethanol is often touted as a solution for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, but the inconvenient truth expressed by concerned scientists is that the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from biofuel production and associated agricultural practices would effectively negate or even reverse any reduction in emissions that could be achieved by significantly expanding the use of ethanol as a transportation fuel.”
Charles T. Drevna
Executive Vice President, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA)
November 8, 2007

Scientists Say the IPCC’s Latest Climate Mitigation Report Fails to Address the “Dangers and Pitfalls” Associated with Biofuel Expansion.

Scientists from Cornell University, the University of California, Berkeley, RSS GmbH’s Munich office, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt recently expressed their concerns in a lengthy letter to IPCC Chairman, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri on deficient or incomplete conclusions about biofuel production and use made by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in their recent global report.

See the Source:
Letter to IPCC Chairman Pachauri

climate change
global-warming

ARB Credits Local Air District for Stationary Source Program Improvements

Regulators now must tackle land use, trucks, agricultural equipment and promote new technologies

SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board issued a report today that concluded the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has improved significantly over the past several years and now regulates all stationary sources of pollution that fall under its purview.

ARB staff conducted the analysis after being directed by the Board in June to work with stakeholders via the San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Task Force to identify new measures that could be undertaken to clean up Valley smog sooner. ARB staff has since met with the task force five times throughout the Valley and held three community meetings to solicit additional input from residents.

"We have a typical good news/bad news story here: the good news is that the local air district is doing its part to regulate local pollution sources. The bad news is that the remaining areas still needing some work – trucks, agricultural equipment and suburban sprawl – will be thorny issues with no real easy answers," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. "ARB can commit to reducing emissions from agricultural equipment and trucks but local officials need to take charge of their growth. We owe it to Central Valley residents to continue to search for solutions to clean up their air."

Last month, ARB committed to actions that would take the Valley 90 percent of the way to attainment with federal ozone standards by 2018. The state improved earlier attainment plans by adopting a new regulation for off-road construction equipment that the local air district can tailor for its needs, as well as proposing other new measures for trucks and agricultural equipment that will help clean the Valley’s air. To close the final 10 percent gap, regulators will need to look into ways to reduce pollution from agricultural operations and via local land use planning efforts.

The Air Resources Board will consider a proposal to regulate farm equipment such as tractors and combines in 2009. In the meantime, the Board is requesting the local air district to work with the Valley’s Councils of Governments to devise a strategy that addresses pollution from sprawl that leads to increased miles travelled and overall sustainability.

Finally, ARB staff outlined recommendations for the San Joaquin Valley Air District, which included among others, to raise its cost-effectiveness thresholds for Best Available Control Technology for new sources to be in line with other air districts, to widen its search for cutting-edge technologies by looking beyond the Valley for innovative technology applications, and to continue its local task force with expanded purview to add industrial as well as mobile sources.

ARB and local air district staff are working with the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency to hold a technology forum at UC Merced next spring since emerging environmental innovations will also play a key role in reducing local pollution in the coming years.

The Air Resources Board will hear today’s staff report and recommendations at next week’s hearing in Sacramento.

See the Source:
ARB's staff report: Accelerating San Joaguin Valley Air Quality Progress

Find out:
How to reduce emissions of particulate matter from stationary engines by more than 85%

air pollution