Report findings: States committed to meeting 2030 climate goals ‘off track’

The below Dec. 8, 2020 press release is from the Environmental Defense Fund. A new report from Environmental Defense Fund using emissions data from Rhodium Group finds that U.S. states with climate commitments are not on track to bring their emissions down consistent with science-based trajectories for 2030. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate … Read more

Montgomery County, MD releases action-plan-draft for meeting climate goals

The below Dec. 14, 2020 press release is from Montgomery County (Maryland) Government. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has released the Draft Climate Action Plan for public review. The Climate Action Plan is the County’s strategic plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035. [Note: … Read more

Clean energy now powers Sound Transit’s light rail trains

The below Dec. 1, 2020 news release is from Sound Transit. Sound Transit’s Link light rail system is now running on 100 percent carbon-free electricity, making it the first major light rail system in the country to achieve this milestone. The accomplishment is made possible through an innovative agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to … Read more

Will that be ‘renewable,’ ‘natural’ natural gas or neither?

Picture an operating dairy farm that is first rate in every way, including environmentally. Carrying this farther, now imagine that the electricity the farm uses to power such devices as automated cow-milking equipment and refrigeration units to keep the drawn milk chilled while in storage to name but two, well, that is farm-generated. If that … Read more

California GHG in the plus column. Emissions-reduction steps state can take to get back on track

California has been a leader when it comes to climate-change-correction work, meaning efforts by the state to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions output have been working. But the most recent numbers tell a slightly different tale. This is reflected in the latest (2018) California GHG emissions inventory. Compared to annual Golden State GHG output … Read more

EPA required to strengthen regulations in eight states to lower smog from fracked gas, oil extraction

The below Oct. 22, 2020 press release is from the Center for Biological Diversity. A federal court has approved an agreement between conservation groups and the Environmental Protection Agency requiring the agency to ensure reductions in asthma-causing smog from oil and fracked gas extraction across portions of eight states. Under the agreement, which was approved … Read more

Fuel-cell technology used to power food distribution center in Stockton, Calif.

The below Oct. 27, 2020 press release is from KeHE Distributors. As part of the company’s quadruple bottom line, focusing on people, purpose, planet and profit, KeHE Distributors announced today it will power its food distribution center in Stockton, California with Bloom Energy Servers to provide clean and reliable electricity. By adding Bloom Energy fuel … Read more

Why gasoline consumption may be more relevant metric in determining air-improvement progress

In 2018, internal combustion engines in the United States gulped 147 billion gallons of gasoline. Use of this liquid was split among motor vehicles, motorcycles, motor scooters, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, some types of jack hammers and other internal-combustion-engine-powered equipment and devices. Over time, domestic gasoline use has tracked in a generally positive direction. From … Read more

Climate change question asked during last night’s debate sparked charged responses from presidential candidates

I tuned into Thursday (Oct. 22, 2020) evening’s (6 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time starting time) presidential candidates’ debate (full disclosure: This one had the look, feel and sound of an actual debate) and I watched and listened quite attentively to its content as presented by both candidates, particularly as it had to do with the … Read more

Doing double duty creating energy, cutting emissions: A unique organic waste-conversion concept

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is big business. But being big business doesn’t necessarily ensure profitability. The recycling industry as a whole, meanwhile, after holding its own for several decades at least, today the outlook, truth be told, appears less rosy. Whether recyclable or non-recyclable material like MSW, finding alternative uses for such refuse can not … Read more