Air pollution

Spearheaded this summer by NOAA, NASA, massive air-quality research campaign

In Aug. 2023, scientists from NOAA, NASA, and 21 universities from three countries are conducting multiple, coordinated research campaigns to investigate how air pollution sources have shifted over recent decades

Scientists from NOAA, NASA and 21 universities from three countries are deploying state-of-the-art instruments in multiple, coordinated research campaigns this month to investigate how air pollution sources have shifted over recent decades. Since the 1970s, U.S. scientists and environmental regulators made significant strides in reducing air pollution by cleaning up tailpipe and smokestack emissions. Yet … Read more

‘Long-dormant’ oil wells in California’s Carrizo Plain National Monument ordered shut

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif.― The Bureau of Land Management late Wednesday ordered an oil company to permanently close and remove 11 long-dormant oil wells inside the Carrizo Plain National Monument, a unique landscape in central California famous for its vibrant springtime wildflower displays and rare wildlife. The order was part of a legal agreement … Read more

Feds announce intent to fund efforts to lower oil, gas sector methane emissions

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) released a notice of intent announcing the first in a series of funding opportunities to monitor and reduce methane emissions, one of the biggest drivers of the climate crisis, from the oil and gas sector and … Read more

San Pedro Bay Port Corridor to get first-of-its-kind fuel-cell locomotive

DIAMOND BAR—The South Coast Air Quality Management District was awarded about $76 million by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) for zero-emission projects that will help transform the goods movement sector in the San Pedro Bay Port corridor. More than 80% of air pollution in Southern California is associated with mobile sources, including trucks, trains, … Read more

Ocean-deposited olivine could help turn tide regarding climate-influencing activity

An article in the Spring 2023 Cal Poly Engineering Advantage magazine issue caught my eye. It’s title: “Combating Climate Change on a Green-Sand Beach.” The “green sand,” in this instance referring to refined olivine (the mineral), meanwhile, in its natural or unaltered state, is produced during volcanic eruptions. Its natural color is, more or less, … Read more

EPA investigation into La. civil rights issue closed; longstanding eco-discrimination effort left unaddressed

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today [Jun. 27, 2023], the Biden administration decided to close several civil rights complaints and an investigation into whether the State of Louisiana failed to protect a community beset by decades of toxic air pollution. For much of the last decade, residents of St. John the Baptist Parish have had the highest … Read more