DIESEL SOLUTIONS * The greening of a tailpipe industry http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/11/10/focus1.html <http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/11/10/focus1.html> IDLING REDUCTION * Traffic light aims to bring cleaner air to the Peace Arch -- Signal allows drivers to turn off engines while waiting at the border http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=8f74 202d-40aa-45b0-b425-abfa457f528c <http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=8f7 4202d-40aa-45b0-b425-abfa457f528c> The Peace Arch pilot project is part of a larger Greening the Border program that was agreed to earlier this year by Falcon and Washington's secretary of transportation, Paula Hammond. TRANSPORTATION CHOICES * Air Cars: A New Wind for America's Roads? http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/106040/Air-Cars:-A-New-Wind -for-America%27s-Roads <http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/106040/Air-Cars:-A-New-Win d-for-America%27s-Roads> A new carmaker has a plan for cheap, environmentally friendly cars to be built all over the country * State fleet should begin transition to electricity http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/386374_gasmoratorium05.html <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/386374_gasmoratorium05.html> WOOD HEATING * Wood stove violations could result in fines http://www.columbian.com/article/20081110/NEWS02/711119969 <http://www.columbian.com/article/20081110/NEWS02/711119969> Vancouver (WA) air quality authorities are prepared to crack down, potentially with fines, against Vancouver-area residents who ignore warnings about curtailing their use of wood stoves and fireplaces during cold-weather inversions. DEQ's air quality authorities, who work with the Vancouver-based Southwest Clean Air Agency to declare air quality advisories in the airshed shared by Portland and Vancouver, are planning to stick with a voluntary approach south of the Columbia River. It's possible that Portland, with its much larger population, ultimately could be the cause of an air-quality advisory that triggers mandatory burning restrictions in Vancouver. * University Of Oregon Offers Guidebook, Video On Wood Fuel http://www.aer-online.com/mail/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content. 2095 <http://www.aer-online.com/mail/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content .2095> The University of Oregon has a message for the government buildings, schools, hospitals and other structures facing rising energy costs: You can save money by burning local wood waste. * Clean Wood Program Planned For Indian Tribal Lands http://www.aer-online.com/mail/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content. 2094 <http://www.aer-online.com/mail/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content .2094> The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has approved a resolution to launch the Tribal Wood Stove Changeout Program, a program designed to replace outdated wood-burning appliances with clean-burning alternatives. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) reports it is working with NCAI on coordinating and implementing the program. HPBA will also draft proposed federal legislation that will encourage the use of tax incentives for tribal members to replace their older appliances with new woodstoves or pellet stoves. CLIMATE * Great Expectations: President-Elect Obama's Environmental and Energy Policies http://www.martenlaw.com/news/?20081105-obama-environmental-policies <http://www.martenlaw.com/news/?20081105-obama-environmental-policies> In his acceptance speech in Grant Park Tuesday night, President-elect Obama spoke of a "planet in peril." As a candidate, he promised to combat global warming and to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. Obama tied energy issues to our national security and economic recovery. He said he would act quickly to put in place policies that create new "green collar" jobs and develop new domestic sources of energy. * State Greenhouse Gas Reporting Deadlines Looming http://www.martenlaw.com/news/?20081105-state-ghg-reporting-deadlines <http://www.martenlaw.com/news/?20081105-state-ghg-reporting-deadlines> Almost half of all states have adopted rules which will require businesses to quantify and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Oregon is the latest to join the list... Unlike California's and New Mexico's programs, legislation in Washington requires the Department of Ecology to develop reporting rules for mobile sources in addition to stationary sources. * Scientists say a rock can soak up carbon dioxide http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081107/sc_nm/us_climate_rocks;_ylt=AmzST8yV MCtwoZYWgpFkRkes0NUE <http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081107/sc_nm/us_climate_rocks;_ylt=AmzST8y VMCtwoZYWgpFkRkes0NUE> A rock found mostly in Oman can be harnessed to soak up the main greenhouse gas carbon dioxide at a rate that could help slow global warming, scientists say. When carbon dioxide comes in contact with the rock, peridotite, the gas is converted into solid minerals such as calcite. LAND USE/PLANNING/DEVELOPMENT * Partnership releases blueprint for restoring Puget Sound http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/386853_pugetsound07.html <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/386853_pugetsound07.html> Restoring Puget Sound will mean keeping sensitive land undeveloped, steering more growth into cities and encouraging low-impact construction, according a new blueprint for recovering the Sound by 2020. * Puget Sound Partnership releases draft of Puget Sound cleanup plan http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/530989.html <http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/530989.html> Dicks said the plan does set priorities and holds participants accountable, and he expects to build on political momentum when the Puget Sound Partnership asks the state Legislature for $200 million to $300 million in new Puget Sound money in the 2009-11 budget. He also expressed hope that Puget Sound cleanup would fit into President-elect Barack Obama's call for investments in a new, green economy... The plan calls for preserving farmlands and working forests, halting suburban sprawl, fixing failing on-site septic tanks, upgrading sewage treatment plants, reducing reliance on the automobile, halting stormwater runoff and other lifestyle-changing behavior. * No mini-cities in Snohomish County--for now http://www.northcountyoutlook.com/1106_FCC_moratorium.htm <http://www.northcountyoutlook.com/1106_FCC_moratorium.htm> The unanimous decision will allow the council time to review current regulations, ensuring codes for the mini-cities provide "adequate protections for our local communities and taxpayers," said council chair Dave Somers. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY * Report: Sun, wind power strain power grid http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/11/10/daily7.html?f=e t87&ana=e_du <http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/11/10/daily7.html?f= et87&ana=e_du> The nation's electrical grid could be strained by electricity that is being introduced to it from the wind and sun, an industry group said. NOTE: If the hyperlink to the article fails, contact Consuelo Davis. Consuelo Davis Communications Dept. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency 206-689-4074 consueloF@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