HSR Board meeting may impact Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley

HSR Board to discuss, Grapevine route, hiring practices, 2012 Business Plan and more. Info here:


HSR Board meeting may impact Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley

When is an increase of half a million tons per year of CO2 insignificant?

A project that adds the equivalent of 17 new sources under ARB's Cap and Trade rules isn't significant, according to the SJVAPCD. Read why here:


http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-bakersfield/when-is-an-increase-of-half-a-million-tons-per-year-of-co2-insignificant

Photo by Matt Cardy / Getty Images

When does 1 job equal 10 (or 20, or 30)? CaHSRA lays another egg.

CaHSRA in the news again for all the wrong reasons.

http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-bakersfield/when-does-1-job-equal-10-or-20-or-30-cahsra-lays-another-egg

Photo by Frank Maccioli

Compliance Deadline Approaches for Diesel Fleets

 Own a fleet of heavy duty trucks or buses? You need to read this:

http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-bakersfield/clean-air-deadline-near-for-diesel-trucks-and-buses

GHG banking rule scheduled for APCD approval on Jan. 19, 2012

The SJVAPCD is planning to adopt a greenhouse gas banking rule, but, can the credits ever be used for anything? Read more here:

GHG banking rule scheduled for APCD approval on Jan. 19, 2012

Governor Brown holding Climate Change Conference today, Dec. 15, 2011

Happening right now - click on article for a webcam link:

Governor Brown holding Climate Change Conference today, Dec. 15, 2011

photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Alon, AERA, & Chevron seeking relief from air regs tomorrow

Big oil in Kern having trouble complying with air pollution regs - seeking variances for relief tomorrow. Read about it here:

Alon, AERA, & Chevron seeking relief from air regs tomorrow

Photo © Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Would you vote for High Speed Rail in California if given a second chance?

What do you think about HSR in California? Would you vote for it again? Read more (and give your vote) at the link below:

Would you vote for High Speed Rail in California if given a second chance?

Free webinar on California's new Cap and Trade regulations on Thursday, Dec. 8

Wondering how to comply with those new GHG rules? Here's an opportunity for you to learn:

Free webinar on California's new Cap and Trade regulations on Thursday, Dec. 8

APCD adds new Governing Board members

New Board members for the APCD. Read all about it here:

APCD adds new Governing Board members

Hazardous Waste facility facing APCD hearing for air permit renewal

APCD holding a hearing for Chem Waste Management's Title V air permit renewal for Kettleman Hills Haz Waste facility. Read more about this somewhat unusual hearing at the link below:

Hazardous Waste facility facing APCD hearing for air permit renewal

Chevron's drilling suspended by Brazil - latest problem for local oil giant

Kern County isn't the only place Chevron is struggling with environmental regulations. Read more here:


Chevron's drilling suspended by Brazil - latest problem for local oil giant

APCD postpones GHG banking rule hearing

Banking rule postponed. No reason given. Read more here:


APCD postpones GHG banking rule hearing

California HSR takes another financial hit

California HSR takes another financial hit

APCD to adopt new GHG emissions banking rules on Dec. 15, 2011

The San Joaquin Valley APCD plans to adopt new regulations to allow greenhouse gas emission reductions to be banked for future use. See the attached for more info:

APCD to adopt new GHG emissions banking rules on Dec. 15, 2011

Big Oil asking for APCD relief, again - Hearing Board meets tomorrow

Some of Kern County's bigger oil companies are asking for permission to continue operating instead of complying with air pollution regulations. Read more here:

Big Oil asking for APCD relief, again - Hearing Board meets tomorrow

Photo by Matt Cardy / Getty Images

APCD issues Wood Burning Prohibited notice for today

photo © F. Maccioli

Better check with the APCD before you throw a log on your fireplace. See why below:


APCD issues Wood Burning Prohibited notice for today

High-Speed Rail Business Plan released - Bakersfield segment still up first

Oppose HSR? Support it? Get the latest with links to the business plan and more right here:

High-Speed Rail Business Plan released - Bakersfield segment still up first

National Prescription Drug Take-Back day this Saturday

Here's some info on how/where/when to get rid of unwanted or unused prescription medicines that you may have:

National Prescription Drug Take-Back day this Saturday

Chevron to add 400 new oil wells in Bakersfield, APCD says impact insignificant

Gee, I thought environmental regulations were a roadblock to stuff like this? Read more at the following link:

Chevron to add 400 new oil wells in Bakersfield, APCD says impact insignificant

ARB adopts final cap-and-trade regulation, affects 360 businesses state-wide

The ARB just adopted its cap-and-trade regulation to help reduce greenhouse gases in California. For all the details, see my article at the link below:

ARB adopts final cap-and-trade regulation, affects 360 businesses state-wide

Regulatory Reform vs Job Losses - Who Really Wins (or Loses)?

 Repealing environmental regulations might result in something different than planned. Read my commentary on Yahoo:

http://news.yahoo.com/regulatory-reform-vs-job-losses-really-wins-loses-234800586.html

The Kern River Oilfield in Bakersfield, CA

© F. Maccioli 

Get rid of your bulky household waste this weekend

See my article at the attached link for more info:


Get rid of your bulky household waste this weekend

AWMA to host greenhouse gas strategies conference next month

San Francisco is the place to be next month. Get all the info in my article at the link below:

AWMA to host greenhouse gas strategies conference next month

Oilfield perc ponds - how they may affect (your) non-oilfield business

For more info on AWMA's luncheon meeting on this subject, read my full article at the link below:

Oilfield perc ponds - how they may affect (your) non-oilfield business

Photo by Matt Cardy - Getty Images

ARB announces 2nd annual Climate Generation competition for high schools

 High school students, educators - read about ARB's climate change competition in my full article below.


ARB announces 2nd annual Climate Generation competition for high schools

HSR Board announces new EIR, comment period for Fresno to Bakersfield backbone

 Photo © F. Maccioli

Read my article at the link below for all the details on the proposed new HSR EIR/EIS:

HSR Board announces new EIR, comment period for Fresno to Bakersfield backbone

New HSR Business Plan delayed, McCarthy vows to cut off funding

Get the latest news about California's HSR project. Click on the link to my article below:


New HSR Business Plan delayed, McCarthy vows to cut off funding

APCD to hold eTrip marketing class next week

The San Joaquin Valley APCD will be holding an eTrip Rule marketing class next week. Get all the info in my article at the link below:

APCD to hold eTrip marketing class next week

Green Business Breakfast Workshop, Tues., Oct. 4, 2011

Bakersfield's Chamber of Commerce will be holding a free green workshop breakfast meeting on Oct. 4. Read my article at the link below for more info:

Green Business Breakfast Workshop, Tues., Oct. 4, 2011

California High Speed-Rail and Real Estate Limbo

How HSR Can Negatively Impact Homeowners and Businesses, Even If the Project Never Gets Off the Ground

 Before and after pictures of how a Bakersfield neighborhood might be changed if California's HSR project is built.

For more info and my full article, click on the link below:

http://news.yahoo.com/california-high-speed-rail-real-estate-limbo-173000521.html

High-Speed Rail Supporters and Opponents voice their feelings at EIR Hearing

Photo © F. Maccioli

Proponents and Opponents of HSR were out in force at yesterday's draft EIR/EIS hearing in Bakersfield. Read more in my article below:



High-Speed Rail Supporters and Opponents voice their feelings at EIR Hearing

Want some crude oil with your morning o.j.?

A local oil company wants to use its wastewater to irrigate citrus crops. Read more about it in my article at the link below:

Want some crude oil with your morning o.j.?

What environmental regulations would you repeal, if you had a chance?

Lots of people are blaming environmental regulations for many of Bakersfield and Kern County's economic woes. How do you feel about that and which regulations would you like to see changed or eliminated? Read my article below for more info.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: Demonstrators shout, "What do we want? Jobs! When do we want them? Now!" as they are pushed out of the Ronald Reagan Building September 15, 2011 in Washington, DC. Credits:  Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

What environmental regulations would you repeal, if you had a chance?

High-Speed Rail EIR/EIS hearings next week

Hearings on the draft EIR/EIS for the California HSR backbone between Fresno and Bakersfield will be held next week. Read my article at the link below for more info.

High-Speed Rail EIR/EIS hearings next week

California bullet train takes another funding bullet - can it survive this one?

A House subcommittee slashes funding for HSR. Read more in my article at the link below:

California bullet train takes another funding bullet - can it survive this one?

The economy - what happens if environmental regulations are repealed?

http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-bakersfield/the-economy-what-happens-if-environmental-regulations-are-repealed

Photo© F. Maccioli

Lots of people are calling for the repeal of environmental regulations because of the bad economy. But what would happen if we did that? Read my article at the attached link for some possibilities.

APCD looking for new Hearing Board members

The APCD is looking for Hearing Board members. For more info, click on my article at the link below:

APCD looking for new Hearing Board members

Homeowners facing major impacts from High-Speed Rail

 If you lived near a proposed high-speed rail track, do you think you will get fair compensation if the state takes your property? And if they don't take it, what compensation should you get if you have to look at and hear a 200 mph train in your backyard everyday?


Homeowners facing major impacts from High-Speed Rail

Longer, hotter, and more dangerous heat waves on the way

 Photo by Kevork Djansezian /Getty Images

Bakersfield is known for a lot of things - being extremely hot in the summertime is one of them. According to a new study released yesterday, Bakersfield and the rest of California can expect things to get even hotter in the future, with heat waves lasting longer and threatening the lives of certain people as well.

The study, commissioned by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and prepared by researchers at Kent State University and The University of Miami, Florida, predicts more frequent and dangerous heat waves in California's future. Utilizing new and more comprehensive weather modeing techniques than have been used previously, they found that the incidence of hot spells lasting 10 or more days could rise by a factor of 2 to 10 by the 2090s. They predict this will have severe impacts on populations at risk, especially the elderly.

Read more of my article by clicking on the attached link:

Longer, hotter, and more dangerous heat waves on the way

ARB approves GHG reduction plan, revised environmental analysis

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) approved an updated environmental analysis of a controversial state plan to regulate greenhouse gases (GHG), which they also re-approved today. The GHG reduction measures may have a significant effect on Bakersfield and Kern County businesses. For example, the oil industry routinely emits millions of tons per year of CO2 equivalent gases from its operations throughout the county.

For more info, read my full article at the link below:


ARB approves GHG reduction plan, revised environmental analysis

High-Speed Rail Board announces draft EIR/EIS workshops

 The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CaHSRA) has just announced a schedule of workshops to be held that will discuss the recent draft EIR/EIS for the Fresno to Bakersfield section of California's high-speed rail project. Residents of Bakersfield and the Central Valley, particularly those whose homes and businesses may be directly impacted by one of the proposed routes, may want to attend.

For more info and a workshop schedule, click on the link below:

High-Speed Rail Board announces draft EIR/EIS workshops

Local oil Industry tops list of air pollution violations

If a stationary source operates equipment that emits air pollution, it needs to get a permit from the APCD. The permit specifies conditions that the equipment needs to operate under in order to comply with the APCD's regulations. When the permit conditions are not met, the owner/operator of the equipment may face fines of up to $25,000 for each day the violation occurs.

The attached article (and the above table) provides more info on the top air pollution violators in the San Joaquin Valley. Not surprisingly to some, the oil industry tops the list. Please click on the link for more details.

Local oil Industry tops list of air pollution violations

Who are the biggest air polluters in the San Joaquin Valley?

 Have you ever wondered why the air we breathe in Bakersfield is so dirty? Have you ever wondered where that air pollution comes from?

As part of a request to the SJVAPCD, a list of the largest industrial polluters in the Valley was obtained. Based on 2009 data (the latest information currently available), the largest industrial air polluters in the Valley can be attributed to three general industries: oil & gas production, energy generation, and glass making. 

For more details, click on the following link:

Who are the biggest air polluters in the San Joaquin Valley?

Back to school with real time air quality data - APCD RAAN program

It's that time of year again and kids are returning to school in Bakersfield and other parts of the Valley. Unfortunately, this time of year is also smog season with unhealthy air quality levels occurring frequently.

To help school districts, teachers, students, and their parents plan outdoor activities better, the San Joaquin Valley APCD has come up with a pilot program that provides e-mail alerts whenever air quality in your area significantly changes. The program is free and available to anyone, not just school administrators.

For more info, click on the link below:

Back to school with real time air quality data - APCD RAAN program

Change your car's A/C refrigerant, help stop global warming

The bad economic news in the country is especially bad in Bakersfield and Kern County, with unemployment rates here still hovering around 15%, significantly higher than the rest of the state and the U.S. Add to that rising prices, a declining stock market, and gloomy predictions for improvement anytime soon, and more and more Bakersfield residents are increasingly turning to do-it-yourself activities rather than paying someone else. For example, people are cutting their own grass, doing their own laundry instead of sending clothes to dry cleaners, and doing their own car repairs.

For those involved with the latter, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has just announced a way for car buffs here and elsewhere in the state to recharge their air conditioning systems in a manner much safer for the environment. As a result of new Climate Change regulations, ARB, equipment manufacturers, and distributors have come up with a redesigned recharge canister. Featuring a self-sealing mechanism, the new canisters are sold with a $10 deposit, refunded when the empty cans are returned.

 For more info, click on the link below:

Change your car's A/C refrigerant, help stop global warming