With much fanfare, CaHSR and Congressman Costa announce a new funding bill that has zero Republican support

On February 21, 2020, the California High Speed Rail Authority (CaHSRA) announced the release of a new federal funding bill sponsored by Congressman Jim Costa that would provide $32 billion dollars to fund projects in federally designated high-speed rail corridors.

CaHSRA proposed Bakersfield Station map

Photo Credit: CaHSRA

The press release trumpeted Costa, Congressman T.J. Cox, and other CaHSRA officials as if the new funding was soon to be on its way to help California's beleaguered bullet train project.

However, not mentioned in the press release is that Costa and his 9 co-sponsors, all Democrats, had merely introduced the bill to the House of Representatives on February 7, 2020. The bill was then referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure where it currently sits. As of this time, no further action has been taken.

To clarify, no new bill has been voted upon or passed by the House, no new bill has been sent to, voted upon, or approved by the Republican controlled U.S. Senate (unlikely at this time), and no new bill has been signed into law by the President (even more unlikely if Trump remains in office).

In short, the fanfare related to the bill appears to be much to do about nothing at this time.

Should farmers consider Wind Farming as an additional crop?

Is there enough wind for farmers here in the San Joaquin Valley to consider it a "crop?"




Here's a link to USA Today's original story by Elizabeth Weise on wind farming by farmers in Kansas, as posted by Frank Brill on EnviroPolitics.com:

Wind energy gives American farmers a new crop to sell in tough times

Whole Foods Market, Hobby Lobby, Walgreens, and others fined for violating California air pollution laws

Remember this the next time you find yourself walking down the aisles of your local Whole Foods Market, thinking about what a healthy choice you have made by shopping there instead of one of the other major grocery chains: the California Air Resources Board (CARB) just fined Whole Foods for selling products that violated  California's air pollution laws.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whole_Foods_Market_logo.svg

You read that correctly. Whole Foods and other companies were found to be selling products that emitted levels of air pollution that are not allowed in the state. The chemicals released, called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), are key components in the formation of photochemical smog. They are found in a variety of common household cleaners, air fresheners, lubricants, and other products.

Whole Foods was fined $5,250 for selling imported products that did not meet California's requirements.

Similarly, Hobby Lobby was fined $4.920 and Walgreens was fined $80,000 for selling products labeled as "not for sale in California."

Other companies found to be in violation of air pollution laws were Walmart Stores Inc., Save Mart Companies, and TJX Companies.

 “Many common household products contain compounds that contribute to ground level ozone formation,” explains CARB Enforcement Division Chief Todd Sax. “Breathing in ozone may cause people to experience chest pain, coughing and throat irritation. It is important that retailers understand their role to ensure household products they sell meet clean air standards before those products reach California households.”

For more information about chemicals found in common household products, please click on the following link: Consumer Products and Air Pollution

USEPA fines Huntington Beach wind energy firm for polluting Bolsa Chica wetlands

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently announced a settlement with Airtech International, Inc., related to Clean Water Act violations at its facility in Huntington Beach, CA. Airtech manufactures materials used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and wind energy industries.

An interpretive panel at Bolsa Chica's south parking lot facing the pedestrian bridge spanning inner Bolsa Bay 

Photo Credit: Ca Dept of Fish & Game, Photo by Kelly O'Reilly

The violations were related to illegal stormwater runoff discharges from December 2014 to January 2019 into the Bolsa Chica Channel, which flows into the Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve before entering the Pacific Ocean.

The settlement requires Airtech to pay a fine of $95,208, conduct five beach cleanup events, and complete a habitat restoration project, including an initiative to replenish native Olympia oyster shells in the Upper Newport Bay and a replanting of eelgrass.

“Stormwater discharges from the manufacturing industry are a major contributor to California coastal water pollution,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director Amy Miller. “This settlement will bring about improved stormwater management at the Airtech facility along with a much needed project to clean up local beaches and restore coastal habitat.”

More information on USEPA's Stormwater program may be found at the following link: NPDES Stormwater Program

CARB approves first ever AB 617 emission reduction plans for Fresno and Shafter

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently announced its approval of two emission reduction plans for the San Joaquin Valley. The plans will affect the communities of South Central Fresno and Shafter, two areas significantly impacted by air pollution.

AB 617 Target Areas, Photo Credit - CARB

Assembly Bill 617 requires that these Community Emissions Reduction Programs to identify, monitor and reduce air pollutants of specific concern to each location. 

“These two emission reduction plans are only the beginning of the focused efforts to cut air pollution in the communities of Shafter and South Fresno,” said CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey. “The next step is turning the plans into actions on the ground. CARB stands ready to work with the communities, air district and others to provide continued support and rigorous oversight to make sure the plans adopted today deliver on their promise of healthier air for all.”

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) helped gather together residents, businesses, air regulators, and other stakeholders to form steering committees that developed specific emissions reduction strategies for the two areas. 

“We applaud the action taken by the California Air Resources Board to approve the Community Emission Reduction Programs for the communities of Shafter and South Central Fresno,” stated Samir Sheikh Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. “We look forward to working closely with these communities to reduce air pollution and improve quality of life for community residents.”

Emission sources targeted include:

• Passenger cars
• Residential energy use
• Urban sources
• Heavy-duty trucks
• Industrial and agricultural sources including pesticides
• Oil and gas operations
• Fugitive dust

To address AB 617 requirements, CARB created the Office of Community Air Protection (OCAP). More information on OCAP may be found at this link: Community Air Protection Blueprint

CaHSRA Issues Draft 2020 Bullet Train Business Plan for Public Review and Comment

The California High Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA) has just released its draft 2020 Business Plan and is seeking comments from the public.

Photo: CaHSRA

The plan emphasizes the CAHSRA's intent to use existing funding to complete a Central California interim line connecting Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. It also outlines major program progress in Northern California, Central California, and Southern California.

Estimated costs are consistent with the 2018 Business Plan and the 2019 Project Update Report.

“This plan outlines how this program will advance to meet California’s mobility, environmental and economic objectives,” said Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “We are in an exciting time for this project and the electrification of transportation in California. In 2020, there will be 350 miles of electrified high-speed rail in development. In the next 18 to 24 months, we will work to environmentally clear the full Phase 1 system between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Anaheim. This transformation is well underway in California. Now is not the time to turn back,” Kelly said.  

The public comment period started February 12 and closes on April 12, 2020.

Further information on the draft plan can be found at this link: 2020 Draft Business Plan