SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2) * Proposed Revisions to Sulfur Dioxide Primary National Air Quality Standards http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/actions.html#nov09 EPA is proposing to revise the primary SO2 standard, designed to protect public health, to a level of between 50 and 100 parts per billion (ppb) measured over 1-hour. The existing primary standards were 140 ppb measured over 24-hours, and 30 ppb measured over an entire year, and EPA is proposing to revoke these two standards. EPA is not proposing to revise the secondary standard... EPA is also proposing changes to the ambient air monitoring and reporting requirements for SO2. These proposed requirements are expected to result in a minimum of 348 SO2 monitoring sites. EPA estimates that at least one-third of the SO2 monitors already in operation may meet the proposed siting requirements. EPA will accept comments for 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. The Agency will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule January 5, 2010 in Atlanta. EPA will issue a final rule by June 2, 2010. Current scientific evidence links short-term exposure to SO2, ranging from five minutes to 24 hours, with a range of adverse respiratory effects including narrowing of the airways that can cause difficulty breathing (bronchoconstriction) and increased asthma symptoms. These effects are particularly important for asthmatics at elevated ventilation rates (e.g., while exercising or playing.) Fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/pdfs/20091116factsheet.pdf * EPA Proposes Stronger Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide /New standard to protect millions of the nation's most vulnerable citizens http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/f4dcb340a6d523608525767100770756!OpenDocument For the first time in nearly 40 years, EPA is proposing to strengthen the nation's sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standard to protect public health. Power plants and other industrial facilities emit SO2 directly into the air. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2's effects. AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH * Air Pollution Increases Infants' Risk Of Bronchiolitis http://www.pollutiononline.com/article.mvc/Air-Pollution-Increases-Infants-Risk-Of-0001?atc~c=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO Infants who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution are at increased risk for bronchiolitis, according to a new study. The study appears in the November 15 issue of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine... The researchers analyzed nearly 12,000 diagnoses of infant bronchiolitis between 1999 and 2002 in southwestern British Columbia, with respect to the individual's ambient pollution exposure based on monitored levels of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter from monitoring stations within 10 km of the infants' homes. They also used land-use regression maps to assess concentrations of ambient pollution with respect to traffic and wood smoke... Dr. Karr, who is a pediatrician, also noted that the current research might help guide the conversations that doctors have with patients. "I think we have a role in educating parents about concerns regarding air pollution and promoting precautionary approaches where feasible. Encouraging avoidance of the use of wood burning appliances or avoiding residing in close proximity to highways would be examples." * London's 'New Era' of Air Pollution Threatens Olympics in 2012 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601104&sid=arLpHvpEGn9o London, which has some of Europe's worst air pollution, may have to ban cars and reschedule events during the 2012 Olympics to ensure optimum conditions for athletes, a leading air-quality scientist said... The city of 7.5 million residents has the worst record for nitrogen dioxide pollutants among European capitals and one of the worst for dangerous airborne particles. Politicians including Mayor Boris Johnson aren't doing enough to cleanse the air, Kelly said. Beijing last year and Athens in 2004 struggled with air pollution during the games. ENERGY * Gig Harbor-based Peninsula Light Company To Enter Power-generating Business http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/nov/13/gig-harbor-based-peninsula-light-company-enter-pow/#ixzz0X3GQ1hqi On Dec.15, if all goes as planned, Gig Harbor's Peninsula Light Company will start generating electricity for the first time in its 85-year history. That's the date Harvest Wind, PenLight's wind project, will officially begin commercial operation. The project, a collaboration between PenLight, Lakeview Light and Power, Cowlitz PUD and Eugene, Ore., Water and Electric Board, will generate 98.9 megawatts (MW) of "green," environmentally friendly power. * New EPA Web Site Provides Tools to Cut Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Homes http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/82a55a1119a0323e85257670005f636d!OpenDocument Home owners, buyers and renters have a new resource for going green indoors and outdoors. EPA's new Green Homes Web site will help people make their homes greener with tips on reducing energy consumption, carbon footprints, waste generation and water usage, as well as improving indoor air quality. For more information: http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes * China, U.S. announce they'll work together on clean energy http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20091117/wl_mcclatchy/3358860 President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao agreed Tuesday that U.S. and Chinese scientists and engineers will work together to speed the widespread use of electric cars, buildings that need far less energy and coal-fired power plants that don't pump out gases that cause global warming. TRANSPORTATION * New Wave -- Dow Constantine's election as King County Executive means expanded service, and a friend in the front office, for the West Seattle Water Taxi. http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-11-11/news/new-wave/ Last July, in the heat of the crowded race for King County Executive, the King County Ferry District seemed all but doomed. Of the candidates running, only Dow Constantine was committed to staying the course with the fledgling transportation agency. Luckily for that agency, Constantine emerged as the winner, and on Monday helped broker a deal that accomplished his goal of keeping the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes afloat while sharply lowering the KCFD's property-tax rate from $22 to $1.20 per year on a $400,000 home, beginning in 2010. The deal also shelves plans to explore the establishment of a multiroute mosquito fleet. * New light-rail plan avoids downtown core http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/412372_sound70249167.html CLIMATE * Dozen Lesser-Known Chemicals Have Strong Impact on Climate Change http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117102036.htm Purdue University and NASA examined more than a dozen chemicals, most of which are generated by humans, and have developed a blueprint for the underlying molecular machinery of global warming. The results appear in a special edition of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Physical Chemistry A, released Nov. 12... Chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur and nitrogen fluorides stood out in their warming potential because of their efficiency to trap radiation in the atmospheric window. * Led by China, carbon pollution up despite economy http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091117/ap_on_sc/sci_carbon_pollution Pollution typically declines during a recession. Not this time. Despite a global economic slump, worldwide carbon dioxide pollution jumped 2 percent last year, most of the increase coming from China, according to a study published online Tuesday... Carbon dioxide emissions, the chief man-made greenhouse gas, come from the burning of coal, oil, natural gas, and also from the production of cement, which is a significant pollution factor in China. Worldwide emissions rose 671 million more tons from 2007 to 2008. Nearly three-quarters of that increase came from China. * Jellyfish swarm northward in warming world http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091116/ap_on_bi_ge/climate_09_jellyfish_menace;_ylt=AiFdlHYoHXTGpOa1bqDl4RKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTM5bHZrOXVtBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMTE2L2NsaW1hdGVfMDlfamVsbHlmaXNoX21lbmFjZQRjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzkEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA2plbGx5ZmlzaHN3YQ-- Scientists believe climate change - the warming of oceans - has allowed some of the almost 2,000 jellyfish species to expand their ranges, appear earlier in the year and increase overall numbers, much as warming has helped ticks, bark beetles and other pests to spread to new latitudes. The gelatinous seaborne creatures are blamed for decimating fishing industries in the Bering and Black seas, forcing the shutdown of seaside power and desalination plants in Japan, the Middle East and Africa, and terrorizing beachgoers worldwide, the U.S. National Science Foundation says. * Pests on move worldwide as climate warms http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091116/ap_on_re_us/jellyfish_menace_climate_pests * EPA to Hold Public Hearings on Proposed Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule for Large Facilities http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/548e6c675e6ea18e85257670006a387b!OpenDocument The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold two public hearings on the proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions thresholds defining when Clean Air Act permits would apply to new or existing industrial facilities. This program would cover nearly 70 percent of the nation's total GHG emissions from stationary sources. The nation's largest facilities, including power plants, refineries, and cement production facilities, that emit at least 25,000 tons of GHGs a year would be required to obtain operating and construction permits. * US Senate to act on climate bill in 2010 http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091117/sc_afp/usclimatepoliticssenate The US Senate will act in early 2010 on legislation to battle climate change, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday, ending hopes of a breakthrough by next month's global talks. * Fighting Climate Change With a Bucket www.care2.com/causes/global-warming/blog/fighting-climate-change-with-a-bucket<file:///\\www.care2.com\causes\global-warming\blog\fighting-climate-change-with-a-bucket> For $3, a Cambodian family can switch to an improved bucket stove that consumes 25% less charcoal. Over 800,000 of these stoves are now in use, reducing fuel consumption by more than 150,000 tons of charcoal per year. 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