AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH Short-Term Air Pollution Exposure May Damage DNA http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090519/hl_hsn/shorttermairpollutionexposuremaydamagedna;_ylt=Aiwkz9qU2faIWRMBfmwGmlNpl88F Breathing polluted air for even a short period of time can cause some genes to undergo reprogramming, which may affect a person's risk of developing cancer and other diseases, say Italian researchers. Comparisons of blood DNA samples from healthy workers who were exposed to high levels of airborne particulates at a foundry near Milan revealed that after only three days of exposure, changes occurred in four genes that have been linked to tumor suppression, according to research presented Sunday at the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, in San Diego. CLIMATE Seattle's day to tell EPA how to fix climate http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009245410_greenhousegas21m0.html Today in a meeting hall overlooking Seattle's waterfront, more than 180 people - from the governor to the mayor to high school students - will one by one tell the Obama administration how the U.S. should tackle climate change... "We are launching into a bold new era here," said Dennis McLarren, director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Obama wants increased fuel efficiency, less smog http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009233358_apusobamaautos.html "As a result of this agreement," Obama said, "we will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years. And at a time of historic crisis in our auto industry, this rule provides the clear certainty that will allow these companies to plan for a future in which they are building the cars of the 21st century." He said the new rules amounted to removing 177 million cars from the roads over the next 6 1/2 years. While the new fuel and emission standards for cars and trucks will save billions of barrels of oil, they are expected to cost consumers an extra $1,300 per vehicle by the time the plan is complete in 2016. Obama said the fuel cost savings would offset the higher price of vehicles in three years. While requiring that vehicle carbon dioxide emissions be reduced by about one-third by the target date, the plan requires the auto industry to be building vehicles that average 35.5 miles per gallon. The plan also would effectively end a feud between automakers and statehouses over emission standards - with the states coming out on top but the automakers getting the single national standard they've been seeking and more time to make the changes. Obama takes aim at climate-warming car emissions http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090519/bs_nm/us_obama_emissions_7 Growing public support for efforts to battle climate change and the weakened state of auto companies, which are restructuring with the help of federal bailout money, gave Obama a window of opportunity to impose the rules... The U.S. Congress does not have to approve the standards, which will be implemented through federal rules... The White House announcement came as U.S. gasoline prices soared for the second week in a row, with the latest pump cost up 7 cents over the previous week to $2.31 a gallon amid signs of an easing of the recession. President Obama Announces National Fuel Efficiency Policy http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/451902cb77d4add5852575bb006d3f9b!OpenDocument President Obama today - for the first time in history - set in motion a new national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. The new standards, covering model years 2012-2016, and ultimately requiring an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016, are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program with a fuel economy gain averaging more than 5 percent per year and a reduction of approximately 900 million metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions. This would surpass the CAFE law passed by Congress in 2007 required an average fuel economy of 35 mpg in 2020. Editorial: At last: Tougher fuel, emission standards http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/editorials/story/747866.html President Barack Obama deserves much credit for pushing for the tougher standards. But the real champions here are California, Washington and 12 other states that essentially forced the federal government to finally get tough on the automakers. Led by California, the 14 states passed legislation that would have required stricter standards to apply to vehicles, but they were fought by automakers and the Bush administration on grounds that such standards should be uniform nationwide. Tuesday's announcement accomplishes what the states wanted to do - and on a national basis, not piecemeal. It also saves states the expense of setting up their own monitoring and enforcement plans. The automakers are on board because they prefer uniform standards and a measure of certainty to state-by-state rules and uncertainty. Editorial: Obama leads on higher mileage, cleaner emissions http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2009239073_edita20cars.html Even within the federal government there is a historic collaboration. Obama said the Department of Transportation and the EPA will adopt the same rules. All the parties will work through one set of operating guidelines. The administration says the new policy will result in yearly 5 percent increases in fuel efficiency from 2012 through 2016. Manufacturers will be working on increased mileage for their entire fleets, so there are no specific incentives or prohibitions for the size or types of cars, trucks or SUVs. Carbon dioxide emissions drop in 2008 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009243230_apusclimatechange.html There is a positive note to the country's economic woes and last summer's $4-per-gallon gasoline: The nation in 2008 had a record decline in the amount of climate-changing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Where humans tread, animals pay a price http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009244754_extinct21.html Redmond High a finalist for "greenest" school in U.S http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2009226339_greenschool16m0.htmlAll these efforts built upon the work Redmond High School already has more green mojo than you can shake a solar panel at: regional recognition for starting the Cool Schools carbon-cutting project, a President's Environmental Youth award, an invitation to the White House last year to celebrate the school's accomplishments. Redmond students started in 2007 with the Cool Schools Challenge, a program that measures a school's carbon footprint. The program trains students to do energy audits and shows teachers simple things they can do in class to reduce greenhouse gases, like turning down the thermostat and using both sides of sheets of paper. That program has expanded to 40 schools in the region, with help of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Puget Sound Energy. Alaska glaciers melt, but land rises http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009231643_alaska18m.html Global warming conjures images of rising seas that threaten coastal areas. But in Juneau, as almost nowhere else in the world, climate change is having the opposite effect: As the glaciers here melt, the land is rising, causing the sea to retreat... The geology is complex, but it boils down to this: Relieved of billions of tons of glacial weight, the land has risen much as a cushion regains its shape after someone gets up from a couch. The land is ascending so fast that the rising seas - a ubiquitous byproduct of global warming - cannot keep pace. As a result, the relative sea level is falling, at a rate "among the highest ever recorded," according to a 2007 report by a panel of experts convened by Bruce Botelho, Juneau's mayor. World city chiefs told to act fast to save planet http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090519/wl_asia_afp/skoreaclimatewarming;_ylt=ApxoE7ZkmwSjZTIlmnrmHdppl88F Former US President Bill Clinton urged leaders of the world's cities, which produce over two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions, to act swiftly to save the planet for their grandchildren. Executives from the 40 largest cities plus 17 affiliate municipalities attended the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit which opened in Seoul, the third such event since 2005. EPA Sued Over Quality of Washington's Ocean http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=17561 An environmental group has filed a lawsuit against the federal government over protection of Washington's ocean waters. It's the first case in the country to address ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is what happens when too much carbon dioxide changes the ocean's chemistry. Miyoko Sakashita calls it global warming's evil twin. TRANSPORTATION Tunnel two-step: buses & trains http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009245404_stdowntown21m.html When light-rail service begins July 18, the trains will take turns with buses inside the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel... The tunnel gates, which now are rolled shut at 7 p.m., will stay open late. Some light-rail fans think it will be safer and more pleasant to be in the tunnel than on the street, especially at night. That alone could attract new riders, they hope... The tunnel remains part of the downtown free-ride zone for buses, but train passengers must pay at least the $1.75 adult base fare, even for short hops. Metro bus cuts approved http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/406342_metro18.html The council kept partial service on Route 42, which runs from downtown through the International District and then down MLK, after officials from the Asian Counseling and Referral Service, at 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., objected to losing the route. They said the light rail stations would be spread too far apart for many users who are elderly or have disabilities and said the cuts also were about freeing money to pay for the South Lake Union Streetcar, which provides less-essential service. Light rail trains set to ramp up runs http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/406335_rail19.html VEHICLE CHOICES Washington state tax exemption for hybrid vehicles ends soon http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009234690_webhybrid18.html The sales tax exemption for cars with highway mileage of at least 40 miles per gallon took effect Jan. 1, but was repealed during this year's legislative session. The exemption ends Aug. 1. Hybrid vehicles will still be exempt from the separate 0.3 percent motor vehicle sales tax until Jan. 1, 2011. New cars that run on fuels such as natural gas, propane, hydrogen or electricity will continue to be exempt from all sales taxes through Dec. 31, 2010. India flips for bargain-priced Tata Nano and Zipcar goes to college http://blog.marketplace.nwsource.com/nwautos/2009/05/india_flips_for_bargain-priced_tata_nano_and_zipcar_goes_to_college.html?cmpid=2627 Zipcar is moving into college campuses and the public sector. In April, Zipcar started a partnership with Zimride, a social online ride-sharing community, so that Zimride users on some college campuses (so far mainly in California) can use Zipcar as their shared vehicle. The company also recently announced it will make its reservation and management systems available to municipalities, allowing city employees to share vehicles, which could streamline fleets. A pilot program in Washington, D.C. allowed the city to reduce its fleet by 17 percent. Tesla announces showroom in Seattle http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009245030_tesla21.html The Silicon Valley manufacturer of electric supercars is announcing today that it's opening a regional showroom and service facility in South Lake Union, just around the corner from the massive new Amazon.com headquarters campus. By September the company will be selling its $101,500 battery-powered roadsters from a restored brick warehouse at 425 Westlake Ave., one of the first three to open outside of California. Daimler buys stake in US electric carmaker Tesla http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090519/bs_afp/germanyusautocompanymergerclimatedaimlertesla_20090519175743 German luxury carmaker Daimler said on Tuesday it was buying a 10 percent stake in US electric car manufacturer Tesla as it attempts to plug in to the market for electric cars. Mitsubishi's electric car debuts, green grants take root and van gets mad mileage http://blog.marketplace.nwsource.com/nwautos/2009/05/mitsubishis_electric_car_debuts_green_grants_take_root_and_van_gets_mad_mileage.html Vice President Joe Biden announced last month that $300 million in federal stimulus funds will help expand the nation's fleet of clean, fuel-efficient vehicles. State and local governments as well as transit agencies are eligible to apply for grants to pay for green vehicles and infrastructure for alternative fuels. Toyota rolls out new Prius to fend off rivals http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090518/sc_afp/japanautocompanytoyota;_ylt=AuTkoftJ_fO34vzO.WFxGIJpl88F Toyota Motor on Monday rolled out a cheaper, revamped Prius, seeking to boost its flagging sales and maintain its lead in fuel-sipping hybrids in the face of growing competition from rival Honda. The Japanese giant, the world's largest automaker, has sold more than 1.25 million Prius vehicles since its launch in 1997, making it the world's most popular hybrid, but rivals such as Honda are seeking to challenge its lead. Biking enthusiasts sought for panel http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009240423_webcycling20.html Seattle's Bicycle Advisory Board has openings for biking enthusiasts willing to advise the city on its Bicycle Master Plan and other bicycle-related matters. Volunteers must live within the city limits and agree to serve a two-year term. FUELS Idled Imperium biodiesel plant may reopen next year http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009235360_imperium19.html A turnaround likely depends on how the EPA finalizes rules that flesh out biofuels legislation passed by Congress in 2007. When the Imperium plant first opened, Plaza thought the rules would be in place by 2009 and would guarantee a significant U.S. market for biodiesel. But the final rules are still awaited, and the EPA has launched an extensive review to address a hotly contested issue: How to accurately compare the greenhouse-gas impact of biofuels compared with petroleum fuels. Some scientists have concluded that earlier studies overstated the greenhouse-gas reductions of biofuels. They said it was important to account for the indirect effects of biofuels - spurring conversion of more forest and grasslands to agriculture, thus releasing greenhouse gases. These findings triggered a political battle in Washington, D.C., with environmentalists pushing for the EPA to conduct that analysis, while industry lobbyists questioned whether that analysis could be done accurately. ENERGY Obama officials tout `smart' electricity grid. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009233277_apsmartgridrules.html Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke say the Obama administration plans to move aggressively to establish technology standards needed for modernizing the electric power grid. The two cabinet secretaries met with 70 business executives and state regulators at the White House on Monday. They discussed the so-called "smart grid," which aims to bring electricity transmission into the digital age. They announced 16 steps to create uniform electricity standards for the grid. US energy use a national security threat: study http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090518/pl_afp/usenergyclimatemilitary;_ylt=AvW_8lDDy9kDbmemWqACbNAS.MwF US dependence on fossil fuels and a vulnerable electric grid pose a perilous threat to the country's national security, retired military officers warned Monday in a report. The threat requires urgent action and the Defense Department should lead the way in transforming America's energy use by aggressively pursuing efficiency measures and renewable sources, said the report by CNA, a nonprofit research group. EPA Announces Energy Star label for Computer Servers http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/3829e1ce26d173e7852575ba004d9518!OpenDocument For the first time, EPA announced Energy Star requirements for computer servers that will protect the environment and result in significant energy savings. On average, computer servers that earn the Energy Star label will be 30 percent more energy efficient than standard servers. If all servers sold in the United States meet this new specification, energy cost savings would grow to $800 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from more 1 million vehicles. US, Canadian, Indian firms to use Google 'smart meters' http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090520/ts_alt_afp/usindiacanadaitinternetenergygoogle;_ylt=AmpL0cti2xoXDXVRV_ZSIzAS.MwFGoogle PowerMeter can tell residents which devices or appliances in their homes are being electricity hogs and which are being frugal with energy. The software program receives information from smart meters and sends a detailed report to a home computer on how the power is being divvied up. NOTE: If the hyperlink to the article fails, contact Consuelo Davis. Amy Warren, Communications Specialist Puget Sound Clean Air Agency 1904 Third Avenue, Suite 105 Seattle, WA 98101 206.689.4092 800.552.3565 FAX 206.343.7522 AmyW@pscleanair.org<mailto:AmyW@pscleanair.org> "Working together for clean air" www.pscleanair.org<http://www.pscleanair.org>