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
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
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.
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
Photo Credit: Wikipedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whole_Foods_Market_logo.svg
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
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
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.
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.
An interpretive panel at Bolsa Chica's south parking lot facing the pedestrian bridge spanning inner Bolsa Bay
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
Monday, February 17, 2020
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.
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:
AB 617 Target Areas, Photo Credit - CARB
“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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)