Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
The Trump administration finalized a major rollback of fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles today. The revised standards will maintain dangerous levels of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and cost consumers more at the gas pump without making the nation’s roads safer. The administration’s final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles rule, or so-called “SAFE” rule, is a … Read more
Generally speaking, American vehicle miles traveled (VMT) since the beginning of the industrial age, has followed an upward trajectory as has the growth in population. Global warming and/or climate change, meanwhile, like it or not and/or agree with it or not, are top-of-mind, front-and-center issues. While true, the fact of the matter is, neither construct … Read more
Imagine what it means for people to regularly have to breathe dirty, deleterious and deplorable air. San Joaquin Valley, California residents know all too well. It was better than a dozen years ago on Dec. 16, 2007 that The Fresno Bee’s comprehensive “Fighting For Air” air-quality report was published. In it, it was brought out … Read more
Transportation is the largest source of global warming pollution in the U.S., making it climate enemy number one. Globally, America’s transportation system is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire economies of France and the United Kingdom combined. But a new report from Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group describes … Read more
One source opines that makers of autos powered by internal combustion engines are has-beens and that electric vehicle manufacturers, in essence, will not just one day, but also, soon be the dominant players in the industry. “Here’s a staggering stat that should tell you which way the wind is blowing: Tesla is valued at more … Read more
Among a cohort or cohorts there is this sense, an opinion, that whether carbon dioxide is introduced into the atmosphere naturally or is the result of such being released through the burning of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas or coal, CO2 isn’t air pollution – at all. Then there, of course, are those who … Read more
On Jan. 29, 2020 the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Annual Energy Outlook 2020 report. Also known as the AEO2020, the outlook includes updated projections of future energy production and use in the United States. The below is from the Energy Information Administration’s Jan. 29, 2020 press release titled: “EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook … Read more
On the “Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator – Calculations and References” page provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) one will find a wealth of information related to greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and their equivalencies. Two areas of particular note as they relate to carbon-dioxide-emissions-releases from U.S.-based cars and diesel trucks examined are: “Gallons … Read more
When taken into consideration that the purchase of fuel and the taxes paid on that fuel, maintenance (e.g. oil and filter changes), insurance, registration, smog testing (biennial or every two years, typically) and parking to name a few, car ownership isn’t exactly an inexpensive proposition. Also there are associated social and environmental costs to consider. … Read more
A newspaper editorial dealing with the subject of California high-speed rail ran in the Dec. 24, 2019 Los Angeles Daily News edition. Access to the full Daily News editorial can be had here. Discussed is the fifth and final phase or package of the construction program in the San Joaquin Valley or what is known … Read more