WASHINGTON — Citing climate-damaging tailpipe emissions, 23 governors signed a pledge Tuesday backing California leaders in their showdown with the Trump administration over its plans to relax vehicle mileage standards. The pledge by leaders of states and Puerto Rico, most of them Democrats, comes as the administration seeks to ease tougher...
Despite Sharp Growth in Electric Cars, Vehicle Emissions Keep Rising
It is tempting to employ any number of puns when considering California’s transportation future: The state is at a crossroads, its policies could run out of gas, dangerous curves lie ahead. But keeping in mind that the state’s climate policies demand the wholesale electrification of transportation, here’s another: California must...
Governor and Legislature: Stop Raiding California’s Cap-and-Trade Funding
When I was California Assembly Speaker in 2006, I proudly negotiated with Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to lay down a marker in the fight against climate change by placing strict reductions on greenhouse gas emissions through Assembly Bill 32. We knew we had to do something, especially after the U.S....
Crushing Tractors Is Fun. Breathing Clean Air Is Even Better.
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District received $108 million from the state Legislature earlier this year to reduce agriculture industry emissions. The program is dubbed FARMER and it provides incentives for replacing old, high-polluting tractors and other ag equipment with newer and cleaner options. The incentives cover up...
Brown Signs Bill Phasing Fossil Fuels Out of Electricity
SACRAMENTO — California has set a goal of phasing out electricity produced by fossil fuels by 2045 under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown, who has positioned California as a global leader in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, approved the measure as he prepares to host...
Will Seaweed Feed Make Cow Burps Better for Environment?
DAVIS — University of California researchers are feeding seaweed to dairy cows in an attempt to make cattle more climate-friendly. UC Davis is studying whether adding small amounts of seaweed to cattle feed can help reduce their emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that's released when cattle burp, pass...
Trump Plan Scales Back Obama's Coal Emissions Standards
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Tuesday came out with new rules scaling back Obama-era constraints on coal-fired power plants, striking at one of the former administration's legacy programs to rein in climate-changing fossil-fuel emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency called the Obama-era regulations on coal power plants "overly prescriptive and...
Need a New Car? Air District Will Give You Up to $9,500.
Trade in your old, tired, gross-polluting car is the new mantra of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. If you are driving a 1999 or older car, the air district wants to help put you in a new ride. Or, if you're driving an old model that guzzles...