Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tues., Feb. 12, 2019 in his first State of the State address since taking office announced a new plan for the state’s high-speed rail project. The plan is to scale the project back. The California governor, on this issue, was unflinching in his resolve. Having to do with this in … Read more
The below December 13, 2018 press release is from The Greenlining Institute. Today [Dec. 13, 2018] the California Public Utilities Commission approved a series of pilot projects to bring long-overdue relief to rural communities lacking natural gas service, providing residents with cleaner and healthier alternatives for heating and cooking, as well as home weatherization. The … Read more
The below July 25, 2018 press release is from the American Farmland Trust. Today [Jul. 25, 2018], American Farmland Trust, in partnership with the Conservation Biology Institute, released a report that identifies the most critical farmland and water supplies to protect in the San Joaquin Valley. Based on the findings of the report, “San Joaquin … Read more
Living in a part of the U.S. – California’s San Joaquin Valley (Valley) – that year after year experiences some of the worst episodes of air pollution – ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) – well, in this regard, there is certainly much to be desired. I speak from experience. So, now that … Read more
The below Jan. 25, 2019 press release is from the Center for Biological Diversity. Legislation introduced Thursday [Jan. 24, 2019] by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) would eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate and address greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and mobile sources like cars, trains and airplanes … Read more
It has been reported that if high-speed rail were placed on the California ballot today the electorate would vote it down. While that may be true, it would not be a landslide defeat. There are still a considerable number of Californians that continue to support the project, myself included. So, keep in mind that California … Read more
The below Jan. 24, 2019 news release is from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The San Joaquin Valley has been working for decades to improve air quality by putting into place the toughest and most innovative clean air measures anywhere. These efforts have not been easy or cheap – billions in dollars … Read more
In the past on the Air Quality Matters blog and elsewhere I have talked quite a bit about transit-oriented development or TOD. But, I’ve yet to discuss – here or elsewhere – development-oriented transit or DOT. That stops right here, right now. Whereas TOD is development that is built up around transit stops and train … Read more
The below article used with the permission of the Great American Publishing Company* Recurring forest fires along the West Coast have left growers casting a wary eye towards the skies. What effects might drifting smoke have on crops – and is there anything that can be done to mitigate the potential damage to fruit? Since … Read more
I can’t count the times I’ve been stuck in freeway traffic. I remember driving from Long Beach, California to Phoenix, Arizona one Friday afternoon and returning on Sunday. The drive out: 9 hours. The drive back: 7 hours. What we are effectively looking at is stop-and-go driving – at least until I got beyond the … Read more