Here is how California's Cap-and-Trade program is helping the state

A new report just released by the California Air Resources Board details the benefits from the proceeds of its landmark Cap-and-Trade program, particularly for disadvantaged and low-income communities.

In the last year alone, more than $720 million generated by the program was reinvested in projects located in all 58 California counties. Over 75,000 projects have been completed, resulting in reductions of greenhouse gases, improved energy efficiencies, and nearly tripling the number of trees that have been planted.

Some of the projects include:

A 44-unit affordable housing development in Tulare County with integrated vanpooling service and discount transit passes is among more than 1,600 housing units funded statewide.

The Cecchini Farm in Contra Costa County, whose fifth-generation owners decided not to sell after they were approved for a conversation easement, is among more than 250,000 acres of land statewide that will be preserved, from coastal watersheds and wetlands to mountain meadows.

Los Angeles County’s Foothill Transit is purchasing 15 zero-emission electric buses to advance the agency’s goal to go all-electric by 2030 to reduce GHG emissions and improve air quality in the inland communities it serves.

For all of the details, the full report may be reviewed here: 2018 Annual Report

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and four others receive prestigious air quality award

The California Air Resources Board on Thursday awarded five individuals a special 50th Anniversary edition of the Haagen-Smit Legacy Award for outstanding contributions to improving air quality.

Photo Credit: California Air Resources Board

The five honorees included former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his work in addressing climate change.


Previously known as the Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award, it was renamed as the Haagen-Smith Legacy Award in honor of its 50th Anniversary. The annual award is considered by many to be the Nobel Prize for air quality and climate change achievements.

“Our honorees span the past 50 years of progress toward clean air. Each played a leading role in this struggle for clean air and a healthy economy,” CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols said. “Individually our honorees have conducted ground-breaking research or shaped pioneering clean-air policies. Together, these five remarkable individuals are being recognized for their leadership, courage, and innovation. Californians owe them a debt of gratitude for their contribution to improved public health in California, across our nation, and throughout the world."
In addition to Schwarzenegger, others honored included:

• David G. Hawkings, Director, Natural Resources Defense Council’s Climate Center

• Henry Waxman, Former U.S. Congressman and current Chairman, Waxman Strategies

• Mario Molina, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego

• Gina McCarthy, Professor of the Practice of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Director, Harvard’s Center for Health and the Global Environment

For more details, including a summary of each honoree's achievements, click on the following link:

2017 Haagen-Smit Legacy Awards

California draws a line in the sand for Trump, Pruitt, and the new EPA

Our apologies for not having posted recently, but, we were in Palm Springs playing in an international team tennis tournament as well as attending some of the action at the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Championships at Indian Wells, CA.

Anyway, a lot has happened recently in the environmental world. One of the more significant is the response from California authorities to the efforts of the Donald Trump administration to effectively dismantle the EPA and roll back environmental regulations.

photo credit: St. Germaine / Marlene Swetlishoff/Tsu-tana, The Rainbow Scribe

Recent actions by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) demonstrate clearly that whatever Trump and his new EPA chief, Scott Pruitt, try to do to weaken environmental rules, California is drawing a line in the sand and effectively challenging them to a fight.

Here are a few links that clearly show the differences between the new feds and California:

CARB finds vehicle standards are achievable and cost-effective

CARB votes to move forward with greenhouse gas reductions and zero emission programs through 2025; action sets the table for accelerating programs post-2025

CARB approves rule for monitoring and repairing methane leaks from oil and gas facilities

Regulation applies to natural gas pipeline equipment and storage facilities

CARB approves broad plan for reducing climate “super pollutants”

Reductions in short-lived climate pollutants enhance 2030 climate efforts

CARB establishes next generation of emission controls needed to improve state’s air quality

Today the California Air Resources Board approved two critical efforts to provide cleaner air for all Californians.  

In the first action, the Board approved the State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan (State SIP Strategy), which describes CARB’s commitment for further reducing vehicle emissions needed to meet federal air quality standards over the next 15 years. The Board also approved the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s comprehensive air quality plan.

The Board also directed staff to report annually on progress on implementation of the SIP Strategy including recommendations on additional funding as well as direction to expedite implementation where possible. 

In parallel to actions at the state level, CARB will continue to call for strong federal action to develop more stringent engine standards for cars, trucks, ships, aircraft and locomotives. 

Porsche part of vehicle emission control scandal, ARB and EPA charged today

"Porsche, There is no substitute!"

http://www.examiner.com/article/porsche-part-of-vehicle-emission-control-scandal-arb-and-epa-charged-today

USEPA to expand testing for defeat devices on any vehicle because of VW scandal

http://www.examiner.com/article/usepa-to-expand-testing-for-defeat-devices-on-any-vehicle-because-of-vw-scandal

ARB plans new tests for all car brands because of VW emissions scam

http://www.examiner.com/article/arb-plans-new-tests-for-all-car-brands-because-of-vw-emissions-scam

Volkswagen caught programming cars to shut down emission controls when driven

Unfriggingbelievable!!!

http://www.examiner.com/article/volkswagen-caught-programming-cars-to-shut-down-emission-controls-when-driven

Safeguard your health from California wildfires

http://www.examiner.com/article/safeguard-your-health-from-california-wildfires

Cities invited to CoolCalifornia Challenge to reduce GHG emissions

Cities invited to CoolCalifornia Challenge to reduce GHG emissions

California's AB 32 explained: The Global Warming Solutions Act Primer

http://www.examiner.com/article/california-s-ab-32-explained-the-global-warming-solutions-act-primer?cid=db_articles

K&N Engineering Inc. fined $521,000 for selling illegal aftermarket parts

http://www.examiner.com/article/k-n-engineering-inc-fined-521-000-for-selling-illegal-aftermarket-parts

ARB fines Tesoro over $1 million for violating gasoline regulations

http://www.examiner.com/article/arb-fines-tesoro-over-1-million-for-violating-gasoline-regulations

ARB announces plan to help low income LA & Valley residents buy electric cars

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will be helping low income residents of the Los Angeles area and the San Joaquin Valley purchase electric or hybrid vehicles. In an announcement released yesterday, ARB said the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program and Plus-Up Pilot Project (EFMP) will provide cash vouchers for those who meet eligibility requirements and wish to replace or scrap their older, dirtier vehicles for cleaner, more fuel efficient ones or public transit vouchers.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/arb-announces-plan-to-help-low-income-la-valley-residents-buy-electric-cars

Smoke school? ARB and APCD holding visible emissions training classes next month

Smoke school? ARB and APCD holding visible emissions training classes next month

ARB, APCD to hold PM2.5 air modeling symposium this week

Modeling symposium this week, workshop on draft PM2.5 Plan next week.

ARB, APCD to hold PM2.5 air modeling symposium this week

Still time to apply for CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards

Want some recognition for your efforts to improve the environment? Read on:

Still time to apply for CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards

APCD adopts GHG banking rule

 This was pretty much expected, but, does it really do anything from a practical standpoint?

http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-bakersfield/apcd-adopts-ghg-banking-rule

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

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