Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
Over the past several years I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on the goings-on in the locomotive-and-train-propulsion-power-development-progress arena. There have been numerous postings here at the Air Quality Matters blog since day 1 that have dealt with this area. Here is just a small sampling of those. American high-speed rail building on a roll – … Read more
In the very early hours of June 21, 2024, before sunrise, the revolutionary next generation of clean passenger rail vehicles arrived in San Bernardino County. Slated to begin service this fall between the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands, the arrival of North America’s first self-powered, zero-emission passenger train that will meet Federal Railroad Administration … Read more
Emissions-reductions’ the word! Pollutant emissions in California have been on the retreat for quite some time now. And, for good reason. According to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, in 2023 just in the Valley alone, 8,492 tons of fine particulates (PM2.5), 10,383 tons of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 7,179 tons of … Read more
SACRAMENTO — The sales of new zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks in California in 2023 have doubled from the prior year, now representing 1 out of every 6 new vehicles sold for services that include last-mile delivery, freight transportation, and school buses, according to a report released by the state today [Jun. 6, 2024]. With 18,473 medium- and heavy-duty … Read more
GILLETTE, WY — The Biden administration announced today that it will end coal leasing in the Powder River Basin – the largest coal-producing region in the United States. The decision represents an historic shift in federal management of coal in the region, recognizing that the market has shifted away from coal as an electricity source … Read more
Um, no. Background The average global surface-air-temperature-rise — compared to that which was present at the time the Industrial Revolution first became a thing back in year 1750 — must climb by no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (C), in order “to reduce the greatest global risks and avoid significant, wide-ranging, and severe impacts,” as … Read more
WASHINGTON – Today, March 20, [2024], the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. These standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of carbon emissions and provide nearly $100 billion of annual net benefits to society, … Read more
There is no doubt in my mind that times have changed. Life has emerged from the pandemic business as usual, I’m afraid. Okay, so where exactly am I going with this? To provide perspective, let’s look at just one piece of the entire worldwide greenhouse-gas-emissions-reduction picture, or dare I say, puzzle: California. On this very … Read more
WASHINGTON — Amid record industry profits and rising climate damages, a new NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) report documents 57 federal and state subsidies that the fossil fuel industry receives in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico that incentivize extraction, cost taxpayers billions, worsen climate change and increase harmful air pollution. The authors … Read more
The region will soon have a new connection from Mesa, Tempe and downtown Phoenix to northwest Phoenix. The Northwest Extension Phase II light rail project will officially open for service on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. A ribbon cutting and community celebration is being planned on that day to commemorate the occasion. “As Phoenix continues growing, … Read more