CLEAN CARS * Gregoire applauds Obama's move on car emissions -- State could set stricter standards http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/397483_greenhouse27.html <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/397483_greenhouse27.html> Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Bainbridge Island, is chairman of the Environment, Water and Energy Committee. "It's a breath of fresh air that our president is taking steps to move toward a day when California and Washington and other states can implement something that will benefit public health," he said. * Editorial: President Obama commits to better-mileage cars, cleaner air http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008673362_edita 27emissions.html <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008673362_edit a27emissions.html> On Monday the president cut to the chase as he announced his order seeking EPA reviews: "Year after year, decade after decade, we've chosen delay over decisive action," Obama said. "Rigid ideology has overruled science. Special interests have overshadowed common sense." A single national law would seem the most practical, but it was not politically practicable. Congress passed a law in 2007 that set higher mileage standards, a 40 percent improvement by 2020. The Bush administration did nothing to turn the law into regulations and move the process ahead. Obama on Monday did not magically change things for California and the other states. He set EPA down the path to doing the right thing. An auspicious start. * Editorial: A return to reason on clean air rules http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/607678.html <http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/607678.html> The Bush administration defended its decision by pointing to federal standards set to take effect in 2020. It argued that separate state emission standards would only create "a confusing patchwork." But in reality the only confusion was among EPA officials trying to justify the denial. That "patchwork" was more two-tone than rainbow-colored. States would either pick the California standards or the federal standards. Car makers have long been manufacturing cars for both markets... States that have chosen to step into the void created by eight years of federal inaction on climate change should have their efforts encouraged, not stifled. Obama apparently gets that. What a welcome change. TRANSPORTATION/PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT * Commentary: Transit-oriented communities a positive move for environment http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/397527_trans27.html <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/397527_trans27.html> Our state may face no challenge greater than the threat of global warming and the lack of sufficient affordable housing -- and we can't solve either unless we solve both. Unrelated issues, you say? Think again. The lack of affordable housing pushes people to live farther from jobs and community services, creating longer commutes. More time spent in cars increases vehicle miles traveled, which leads to greater greenhouse gas emissions... Lack of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income earners exacerbates poverty issues, adding pricey transportation costs to household expenses. TRANSPORTATION CHOICES * In 2008, spending on fuel imports became a huge drag on the Northwest's economy. http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2009/01/20/record-fuel-sp ending-in-2008 <http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2009/01/20/record-fuel-s pending-in-2008> ALTERNATIVE FUEL * The U.S. Department of Energy provides grants to spur commercial development of biofuels produced from nonfood feedstocks. http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/001796.html <http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/001796.html> DIESEL SOLUTIONS * Foss Maritime Co. delivers hybrid-electric tugboat to ports (of Long Beach) http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/606020.html <http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/606020.html> The world's first hybrid-electric tugboat, built in Seattle, has arrived at the Port of Long Beach. The 78-foot vessel was unveiled Friday by its makers, Foss Maritime Co. of Seattle. The company said its green-and-white diesel-electric tug, named the Carolyn Dorothy, can perform the same as a traditional tug, but with 44 percent less pollution. The tug doesn't consume diesel during down time and emits less fumes during routine operations. 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