AIR QUALITY * Puget Sound gets bad marks in air quality report http://www.thenewstribune.com/updates/story/725057.html Some Puget Sound counties have gotten bad marks in a national American Lung Association report rating cities and counties on pollution levels. The State of the Air report released Wednesday gives King County an F grade and Pierce County a C grade in ozone pollution. For fine particle pollution, Pierce and Snohomish counties got F's, while King and Spokane counties got C's. * Report: Most Americans in areas with unhealthy air http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/nation/story/724778.html Sixty percent of Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels, despite a growing green movement and more stringent laws aimed at improving air quality, the American Lung Association said in a report released Wednesday ENERGY * Ray of light in Washington state's new energy law -- Thousands of jobs foreseen to upgrade buildings to strict new state standards http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/05/04/story2.html The "Efficiency First" bill was one of the few victories for the environmental community in this year's legislative session, but it's a significant one. Starting next year, utilities will have to keep records of commercial buildings' energy consumption, and anyone wanting to buy or lease space will have access to that data by 2011 or 2012... Because business tenants will likely look for lower utility bills, the measure is expected to spur building owners to spend on energy upgrades. <<Ray of light in Washington state's new energy law - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle).htm>> TRANSPORTATION * Sound Transit gets $44 million from feds early http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009190510_websoundtransit07m.html Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., announced today that the money was previously approved under an $813 million grant. It's being released early as part of the federal government's economic stimulus program. Murray says the early release of the funds will reduce financing costs for the light rail extension between downtown Seattle and the U District. TRANSPORTATION CHOICES * Ditching the car saves thousands, study says http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/405954_transit06.html A typical Seattle resident could save more than $10,000 a year by cutting out a car, according to a new study. LAND USE/PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT * Seattle aims to make it safer for foot traffic http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009187350_pedestrians07m.html The city of Seattle released a Pedestrian Master Plan Wednesday night that calls for spending $60 million in the next six years for crosswalks, sidewalks, warning signs, traffic lights, education and enforcement. Voters approved the money as part of the 2006 Bridging the Gap property-tax levy, which also includes street, transit and bicycle projects. * Growth, transit scenarios laid out http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/733423.html The PSRC has come up with five alternative scenarios of how the region might proceed in a unified way. The various plans put different emphasis on transit, system management, tolls (including one scenario that has tolls on arterial roads) and environmental protection. EPA * EPA Budget Aims to Create Jobs, Protect Human Health and the Environment http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/50698106f016dcdf852575af0055f1a2!OpenDocument Administrator Lisa P. Jackson released EPA's fiscal year 2010 budget blueprint, which takes significant strides to ensure that our air, land, and water are safe and clean. Expanding on the investments of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this $10.5 billion budget allows EPA to provide real solutions to our economic crisis. It significantly improves accountability and transparency, ensuring fiscal responsibility at a time when every dollar counts... To address the growing threat of climate change, EPA will make key investments in the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. That involves new analytical tools, upgraded testing capabilities, and coordination with other agencies on research and green initiatives... A total of $55 million will go to an enhanced toxics program to screen, assess and reduce chemical risks. Funding will be invested in monitoring air toxics at schools and to provide technical assistance and coordination with states and local communities. Other major investments include funding for continued efforts to reduce lead exposure and grants to states, tribes, and other partners to promote worker safety, protection of water sources and endangered species from pesticide exposure. CLIMATE * US won't drop cap-and-trade auctions: White House http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090507/sc_afp/uspoliticsbudgetcongressenergyclimatewarming;_ylt=AmFVg6ZPP.OwxPWzxnVYDfRpl88F Congress is now debating that system, under which companies would buy rights to emit greenhouse gases from firms that use less energy and pollute less. Obama argues that with the future of the planet at stake, the United States must now take the lead on global warming after years of denial under the former administration of George W. Bush. GREEN BUILDING * Clayton 'i-house' is giant leap from trailer park http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090506/ap_on_re_us/us_clayton_i_house "This innovative 'green' home, featuring solar panels and numerous other energy-saving products, is truly a home of the future," Buffett wrote his shareholders. "Estimated costs for electricity and heating total only about $1 per day when the home is sited in an area like Omaha." Clayton Homes plans to price the "i-house" at $100 to $130 a square foot, depending on amenities and add-ons, such as additional bedrooms. A stick-built house with similar features could range from $200 to $300 a square foot to start, said Chris Nicely, Clayton marketing vice president. The key cost difference is from the savings Clayton achieves by building homes in volume in green standardized factories with very little waste. Clayton has four plants in Oregon, Tennessee, California and New Mexico geared up for "i-house" production.