DIESEL EMISSIONS * EPA spending millions to lower emissions in Puget Sound region http://www.king5.com/news/local/EPA-spending-millions-to-lower-emissions-in-Puget-Sound-region-78484152.html A top federal administrator made her official visit to Washington State, and she didn't come empty handed. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson is at war with harmful diesel emissions. She came to the front lines with millions of dollars. * Foss tugboats getting $739K ‘green’ overhaul http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/11/30/daily31.html EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was at Seattle’s Bell Harbor on Thursday to make the award, which will be managed by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. <<Foss tugboats getting $739K ‘green’ overhaul - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle).htm>> * EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson Announces Over $16 million in Recovery Act Dollars to Bolster Clean Air in Washington http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d96f984dfb3ff7718525735900400c29/906f57f8e35c6c05852576810076bfa5!OpenDocument Puget Sound Clean Air Agency -- $739,577 for retrofitting engines on tugboats operated by FOSS Marine that will reduce particulate matter, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions $2,534,511 for retrofitting locomotive engines owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Head in Seattle to Award 'Emerging Technologies' Grant http://finance.yahoo.com/news/US-Environmental-Protection-bw-861496831.html?x=0&.v=1 Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, said that a series of project benchmarks and timelines will insure that the public sees a benefit from the federal stimulus grant. “Providing emission controls for harbor craft is a key element of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy,” McLerran said. “This project is a model for what we’re trying to accomplish – reducing harmful diesel emissions from tugs and other harbor craft. The result will be cleaner air for citizens of our region for years to come, as well as jobs in the near term. We are pleased to be partnering with Foss and ESW on a strategy that offers a significant payoff for the public.” * Lady Washington wintering at Columbia River ports http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010389009_apwaladywashington.html For the past 18 or so years, the vessel has wintered at Sacramento's port. But this year, it was learned the ship's diesel engine no longer met California's emission standards, forcing the crew to stay here this fall and winter. The ship is now visiting Columbia River ports... Earlier this month, the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, which operates the ship, received an anonymous gift that covered 78 percent of the $100,000 needed to purchase a new engine. They're still holding out for the remaining 22 percent to come from Sailing Adventure ticket revenue, Clark said. Sailing Adventure tickets pay the cost of operating the ship and its sister, the Hawaiian Chieftan. The Hawaiian Chieftan's engine meets emission standards, so it's sailing to California ports this winter. * Suspend diesel rule, critics urge -- Roberts: Researcher’s lie compromises study http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/03/suspend-diesel-rule-critics-urge/ The rule would require owners of nearly 1 million trucks and buses to change out the engines in older models or install anti-pollution devices on newer ones starting in 2011... Beyond the possible economic harm to industry, critics of this toughest-in-the-nation rule are convinced that its validity has been compromised by revelations that the lead researcher, who crafted a persuasive study of diesel’s damaging health effects, exaggerated his academic credentials. WOOD SMOKE * Before you light that fireplace http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/homeandgarden/story/972133.html Check to make sure is there’s a burn ban in place before using your wood-burning fireplace (this does not apply to gas-fired). According to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the following is true of fireplaces that burn wood during a stage one burn ban: “No burning is allowed in fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves, unless it is your only adequate source of heat. This includes the use of manufactured logs such as Duraflame or Javalogs.” For current forecast information, visit the agency’s website at www.pscleanair.org<file:///\\www.pscleanair.org> or call 1-800-595-4341. * Weather Service in Seattle says cold, sunny days ahead http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091205/NEWS01/712059938/-1/news01#Weather.Service.in.Seattle.says.cold.sunny.days.ahead During cold periods, more people use their fireplaces and wood stoves and sometimes the pollution hangs close to the ground, according to officials with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. This week, though, air quality in the area is expected to be good, said Amy Warren, a spokeswoman for the agency. Winds aren't predicted to be strong but breezes will keep the air swept out, she said. Still, people who burn wood are encouraged to use practices that keep smoke and pollution down, such as using dry, seasoned wood, Warren said. Information on clean heating practices may be found on the agency's Web site at www.pscleanair.org<file:///\\www.pscleanair.org>. ENERGY * Stimulus: Lack of efficiency, wasted energy --Feds gave state $59.5 million to weatherize homes, but it took months to resolve conflicting rules http://www.thenewstribune.com/topstory/story/983538.html State officials spent between July and November mired in bureaucratic confusion over how to reconcile federal and state wage requirements for workers. .. The federal stimulus package allocated $59.5 million to Washington state earlier this year to install energy-efficiency upgrades on low-income homes. But as the frost and fog of late fall settle in, few Washington families have seen the benefit of those dollars. State officials spent between July and November mired in bureaucratic confusion over how to reconcile federal and state wage requirements for workers. During that time, weatherization work was mostly on hold. * Pacific Northwest emerges as power player in ‘smart-grid’ sweepstakes http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/12/07/story2.html The expansion of the smart grid sector in Washington has been a long-term target of state and local government and clean-tech advocates who think the industry offers both economic and environmental benefits. For example, a smart grid would help make plug-in electric hybrids more feasible. And while Washington doesn’t have the solar potential of Southwest states, Washington’s information-technology know-how, skilled work force and cluster of existing smart-grid companies make it a strong competitor in the smart-energy sector, said Howard Schwartz, who works for the state Department of Commerce. <<Pacific Northwest emerges as power player in ‘smart-grid’ sweepstakes - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle).htm>> * Opinion: Watt-guzzling TVs latest target but not last http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/editorials/story/975711.html TV-related power usage has more than tripled since 2000. There are a number of reasons for the surge, and most are beyond the reach of regulators. Americans are buying bigger televisions and more of them. They also keep the sets turned on more hours of the day. Then there is flat-screen technology, which is still a work in progress. These state-of-the-art TVs have become more energy efficient since they were introduced, but a plasma set still uses more than three times the energy necessary to power the old cathode-ray tube television it replaced. Industry groups say the new regulations – which require new sets to use about one-third less energy by 2011 and one-half by 2013 – will “endanger jobs, innovation and consumer choice.” Their lamentations sound familiar. They were some of the same ones automakers used to delay fuel economy standards despite damning evidence that technology to build more fuel-efficient cars was available... That regulators have trained their sights on TVs is a sign of how far energy conservation measures have come and how narrow the opportunities for further gains are becoming. But with the era of cheap and endless power over, don’t expect the pursuit of every available watt to stop anytime soon. CLIMATE * Historic EPA finding: Greenhouse gases harm humans http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091208/ap_on_bi_ge/climate_epa The Obama administration took a major step Monday toward imposing the first federal limits on climate-changing pollution from cars, power plants and factories, declaring there was compelling scientific evidence that global warming from manmade greenhouse gases endangers Americans' health. The announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency was clearly timed to build momentum toward an agreement at the international conference on climate change that opened Monday in Copenhagen, Denmark. It signaled the administration was prepared to push ahead for significant controls in the U.S. if Congress doesn't act first on its own. * EPA: Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment / Science overwhelmingly shows greenhouse gas concentrations at unprecedented levels due to human activity http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/08d11a451131bca585257685005bf252!OpenDocument President Obama and Administrator Jackson have publicly stated that they support a legislative solution to the problem of climate change and Congress’ efforts to pass comprehensive climate legislation. However, climate change is threatening public health and welfare, and it is critical that EPA fulfill its obligation to respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that determined that greenhouse gases fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants. EPA issued the proposed findings in April 2009 and held a 60-day public comment period. The agency received more than 380,000 comments, which were carefully reviewed and considered during the development of the final findings. * Gregoire to join climate summit -- Governor says meeting is vital to state; critics say she should deal with problems at home http://www.thenewstribune.com/partners/theolympian/story/980055.html * India feels pressure on emissions -- China, U.S. decisions create push for targets http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/environment/story/973247.html India found itself under growing pressure last week to set an emissions reduction target after China and the United States announced their pledges in advance of a global summit on climate change that opens early next month. The two Asian powerhouses, both of which have eschewed binding targets over concerns about undercutting national development, are seen in some U.S. circles as the biggest impediment to an agreement. * Global warming may require higher dams, stilts http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091203/ap_on_sc/sci_climate_adapting With the world losing the battle against global warming so far, experts are warning that humans need to follow nature's example: Adapt or die. That means elevating buildings, making taller and stronger dams and seawalls, rerouting water systems, restricting certain developments, changing farming practices and ultimately moving people, plants and animals out of harm's way. * Opinion: How Seattle can lead on climate change http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/12/07/editorial2.html <<How Seattle can lead on climate change - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle).htm>> * Commentary: Seattle can lead the world as a carbon-neutral city http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2010418866_guest04curtis.html Though world leaders might delay action on a climate-change agreement at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, guest columnists Craig Curtis and Lisa Richmond say Seattle shouldn't wait. Seattle can lead the way. GREEN LIVING * Going green during the holidays -- Union of Concerned Scientists gives eco-friendly travel advice http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2010389773_webgreentrav06.html If you want to travel green this holiday, take the bus or train, but if you must fly, stick with economy seating, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. * Frozen fish may be ‘greener’ http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/environment/story/972066.html The most important thing to know about that salmon on your plate is whether it’s fresh or was frozen out at sea – the latter being better for the global environment, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Sweden, Canada and an environmental think tank in Portland. TRANSPORTATION * Seattle has nation’s worst traffic congestion: Study http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/11/30/daily14.html Seattle’s road woes are worse than Los Angeles at No. 2, with 38 percent of its roads having heavy delays, followed by Chicago (37 percent), San Francisco (35 percent) and New York City (31 percent), according to global positioning system (GPS) company TomTom of Concord, Mass. <<Seattle has nation’s worst traffic congestion Study - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle).htm>> VEHICLES * The Green Car of the Year Is a Diesel. Again. http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/12/audi_a3_tdi_green_car_of_the_year/ For the second year in a row, Green Car Journal has named a German diesel Green Car of the Year. The 42-mpg Audi A3 TDI topped a field that included three hybrids and two diesels to take the award presented today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The judges praised the cars “exceptional fuel economy and low emissions” and hailed it as “stylish” and “fun to drive.” NOTE: If the hyperlink to the article fails, contact Consuelo Davis. Consuelo Davis Communications Dept. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency 206-689-4074 consueloD@pscleanair.org Bill Smith Senior Environmental Specialist City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management 3510 S. Mullen Street Tacoma, WA 98409 253-593-7719 Phone 253-591-5547 Fax