SJVAPCD issues health caution for high winds and blowing dust

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (the District) today issued a health caution for strong winds and blowing dust. The notice covers Monday through Wednesday of this week.

The windy conditions may result in high concentrations of PM 10 (particulate matter 10 microns and smaller) that can result in serious health problems, including the triggering of asthma and bronchitis attacks, an increased risk of respiratory infections, and aggravate heart and lung disease. The District also recommends that older adults and children avoid prolonged exposures to these conditions.

Impacts are expected Monday and Tuesday in the Northern and Western counties of the District (San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, and Kings). The Valley portion of Kern County will be impacted beginning late Monday and lasting through early Wednesday.

The dusty conditions result from exceptionally dry soil in many areas as well as smoke from wood burning fireplaces. The District urges residents to refrain from using wood burning devices to help minimize these impacts.

More information is available at SJVAPCD or District offices in Fresno (559.230.6000), Modesto (209.557.6400), or Bakersfield (661.392.5500).

California's High Speed Rail project wins prestigious Sustainability award

The California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced this week that it has received a national award for its sustainability efforts. The Envision Platinum rating for the Authority was issued by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, a non-profit group founded by the American Public Works Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. 

Photo Credit: California High Speed Rail Authority

The Envision Platinum rating is the highest-level award from the Institute and represents the very first time it has been issued to a project as large and complex as this one.

The award was earned following an independent third party review of the Authority's performance related  to 64 sustainability criteria, including materials, energy, water, environmental impacts, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, just to name a few.

“We are proud to have achieved Envision Platinum for the high-speed rail program. This recognizes the Authority’s progress on delivering a sustainable transportation system for California,” said Meg Cederoth, the Authority’s Director of Planning and Sustainability. “We’ve sought to reflect California’s sustainability ethic while laying the foundation for carbon-free travel. This recognition is a validation of the Authority’s ability to deliver sustainable infrastructure.”

“Sustainable infrastructure is a broad idea made very specific through the Envision verification process. This robust, third-party review of sustainability performance against 64 different issue areas illustrates how the California High-Speed Rail Authority is delivering on its commitment to provide current and future generations a system that protects and restores social, environmental and economic sustainability in its delivery and on into operation,” said Melissa Peneycad, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Managing Director.

Bulky Waste Collection Event for Kern County residents, November 7, 2020

The Kern County Public Works Department is holding a free residential bulky waste event on Saturday, November 7, 2020. The event will be held from 8 a.m. until noon at three separate locations, as shown in the picture.

Please note that ONLY non-hazardous, residential wastes will be accepted, such as mattresses, appliances, furniture, TVs, water heaters, and e-waste. All you have to do is drive in and drop off your articles.

Please note also that face coverings are required!

Watch out carmakers - CARB is coming after you (and your pocketbooks)!

The California Air Resources Board warned automakers today that it will not tolerate any more emission control bypass shenanigans similar to what Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and most recently, Mercedes Benz-Daimler have done.

As you may recall, CARB and the USEPA issued fines and other penalties in the billions of dollars after discovering that many vehicles were purposely designed to bypass state and federally required emission controls unless an emissions compliance test was being performed.

Photo Credit: Ruben de Rijcke / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

In September of 2015, CARB sent a letter to all automakers asking them to voluntarily disclose any such systems they may not yet have reported. Apparently not satisfied with the response, CARB issued another warning today threatening severe repercussions if it or EPA, utilizing new laboratories and testing equipment, discover violations that have not been reported.

Here is an excerpt from today's letter, in which CARB expressed its dissatisfaction with the small response:

"On September 25, 2015, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) wrote light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle and engine manufacturers to remind them to properly disclose all auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs) at the time of certification. That letter also informed manufacturers of CARB’s intent to begin using then newly-developed screening tests in CARB’s In-Use Compliance Program, in addition to standard certification emission test cycles, to identify unapproved AECDs and defeat devices, the discovery of which would subject the manufacturer to penalties and remedial measures. The goal of that letter was clear: for manufacturers to proactively inform CARB of undisclosed software devices and reintroduce a level of trust and forthrightness into the certification process."

"While a handful of manufacturers stepped forward over the last five years, the vast majority did not. As promised in 2015, CARB moved forward with expanded testing programs and a suite of newly developed techniques to detect unauthorized AECDs and defeat devices in diesel engines." 

"This situation will not continue--It is a clear violation of public health to pollute the air with illegal devices, and it undermines the essential trust that has supported the certification program for decades. CARB is therefore now writing to you again to encourage voluntary disclosure of any potential violations with respect to these and other applicable regulatory requirements. Voluntary disclosure will trigger a reduction in penalties; failure to do so may affect the result of future enforcement actions involving your company when CARB’s new techniques – and its new state-of-the-art testing laboratory opening in 2021 – inevitably detect any violations you may have. "