Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
The fracked gas and oil industries are large contributors of photochemical smog. So says who? Well, for one, information on Wikipedia supports this finding. “The major culprits [to smog formation] from transportation are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO and NOx), volatile organic compounds [VOC], and hydrocarbons [HC] (hydrocarbons are the main component of petroleum … Read more
The below Oct. 21, 2019 news release is from the California VW Mitigation Trust. Today [Oct. 21, 2019], the first Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust funding program launched for projects throughout California. The Zero Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus program provides $130 million to replace internal combustion engine transit, school, and shuttle buses with … Read more
A concluding thought in “Road expansion or repair: Can either do anything to lower burden on air?” (Part 1) had to do with whether road-based projects – expansion or repair thereof – could have “an air-remedying effect.” Affirmative is the answer. Though “yes,” it’s conditional. A new overpass used to replace a physical intersection, for … Read more
Despite there being a wealth of disappointing news lately having to do with environmental matters one can take heart in knowing that not all news making the rounds related to the environment in this day and age is bad. Some of it is even downright good. As a case in point, the American Council for … Read more
Complete and total computerization of automobilization holds tremendous promise. Hey, that’s like the next revolution in road-based transportation. Admittedly, there is work to be done there still. So, why do we need this or do we? If you think the status quo is acceptable, then you haven’t been paying close enough attention. The status quo: … Read more
There is a chill in the air. The smog in it – the air – is fading. Not because of diminishing daylight but, presumably, on account of lower ambient levels of heat. That could change; Monday in Fresno is forecasted to be 91 degrees. Parents picking up their children from schools in air-conditioned automobiles are … Read more
It is hard to believe it has already been a week since the United Nations’ Climate Action Summit was held on Sept. 23, 2019. It was an unprecedented gathering. For one day (Sept. 23, 2019) a summit was convened at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The assemblage was for the purpose of … Read more
The vehicle-emissions-standards waiver that California currently has in place may get rescinded. If California has a say in the matter which, hopefully, it will, the waiver won’t be revoked. One organization, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), appears ready to take the fight to court if need be. EDF President Fred Krupp in a press release … Read more
I don’t know why, but in 2019 it seems like there are more earth-moving air-quality-news-related items than usual. And, the year isn’t even over yet. The American Lung Association in April issued its latest findings of the quality of America’s air in its 20th annual “State of the Air” report as well as in a … Read more
The below Sept. 9, 2019 press release from the Natural Resources Defense Council. General Electric, which boasts of being a clean energy leader, is quietly doubling down on the dirty energy of the past with plans to equip more than a dozen new coal-fired power plants in countries like Cambodia, Kenya, Poland, Pakistan and Vietnam, … Read more