SMOG / OZONE * As mercury rises, so does pollution -- Region may violate smog standards for the first time since 1992 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/374936_ozone14.html <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/374936_ozone14.html> The Puget Sound region is on the verge of violating a federal smog standard and going officially into the dirty-air category for the first time since 1992... With temperatures headed up faster than an Olympic high jumper, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency officials are keeping a nervous eye on air pollution monitors and thinking that if you were considering taking an unplanned "mental health day," maybe now is the time. OK, they didn't actually say that, but the agency's manager of air resources, Dave Kircher, did say that Seattle-area residents should do everything possible to keep from driving for the next few days. * Smog puts Seattle area at risk for pollution penalties http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008112739_ozone14m.html <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008112739_ozone14m.htm l> A combination of thousands of tailpipes and factories, summer sunshine and stricter pollution standards is putting the Seattle area on the brink of violating federal smog standards, which could cause health concerns and result in more red tape for companies building factories here, more inspections for car owners and new formulas for the gasoline we pump into our cars. * Puget Sound On Verge Of Smog Violation http://www.kirotv.com/video/17190141/index.html <http://www.kirotv.com/video/17190141/index.html> * Smog Watch in Effect for Kitsap http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/aug/14/smog-watch-in-effect-for-kitsa p/ <http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/aug/14/smog-watch-in-effect-for-kits ap/> To reduce potential problems, officials at the Clean Air Agency suggest carpooling or riding the bus; using the most fuel-efficient car available; refueling in evening hours without topping off the tank; avoiding the use of gasoline-powered lawn mowers, garden tools and recreation equipment; avoiding the use of volatile solvents or paints; and not using lighter fluid to start the barbecue. * Hot Weather Causes Smog Watch http://www.kirotv.com/news/17189455/detail.html <http://www.kirotv.com/news/17189455/detail.html> * Smog watch issued for four counties http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008113149_webweather14m .html <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008113149_webweather14 m.html> High temperatures today have prompted the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to issue a smog watch for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties... That weather pattern will raise ozone pollution to "unhealthy levels," the agency said in a news release. Ozone comes primarily from automobile tailpipes, and "cooks" in heat and sunlight on hot days to produce smog, officials said. Those living south and southeast of Everett, Seattle and Tacoma will be most impacted, according to the agency. Exposure can impair lung function, cause respiratory irritation, aggravate asthma symptoms, and weaken the immune system, the agency cautioned. * High temperatures prompt smog watch in Puget Sound region http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/445387.html <http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/updates/story/445387.html> The smog watch is in effect from today through noon Sunday, unless the high temperatures and poor air quality continue, the agency reported. The forecast calls for highs into the 90s today and Friday... Communities south and southeast of Tacoma, Everett and Seattle will be affected the most by the smog. The agency said fine particle pollution also will result in reduced visibility and will likely create moderate air-quality conditions Friday and Saturday. * Heat wave hits the Northwest http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_081408WXB_weather_heat_LJ.468 bb46d.html <http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_081408WXB_weather_heat_LJ.46 8bb46d.html> * Day 1 of the August sizzle is upon us http://www.komonews.com/news/26959154.html <http://www.komonews.com/news/26959154.html> With the heat comes the month's second Smog Watch, issued by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. This is expected to remain in effect until noon Sunday. ENERGY * Everett to replace green traffic lights with LEDs http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080814/NEWS01/702272669/-1/news01#Eve rett.to.replace.green.traffic.lights.with.LEDs <http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080814/NEWS01/702272669/-1/news01#Ev erett.to.replace.green.traffic.lights.with.LEDs> City street crews will soon swap out incandescent green light bulbs at 169 traffic signals and replace them with more energy-efficient light emitting diodes, or LEDs... While the LED arrays cost about $50 each, as opposed to $2.50 for incandescent lamps, they should last seven to 10 years, compared with one to two years for incandescent lights. Also, the new lights consume about one-tenth the energy of the old. That's expected to result in energy savings next year of about $112,000 -- $62,000 for the green lights and $50,000 for the pedestrian signals. * 3 million bulbs distributed; now, how to get rid of them http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008106909_lightbulbs12m .html <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008106909_lightbulbs12 m.html> Energy experts say Snohomish PUD's energy savings is equivalent to taking 150,000 cars off the road for one year. By way of comparison, Seattle City Light, with 400,000 customers, this summer distributed its 1 millionth energy-saving bulb in a program that began last year. Puget Sound Energy, the largest of the regional utilities with 1 million customers, estimates it has distributed 8 million CFLs since 2002... The Snohomish County program has been so successful that the utility is turning its attention to proper disposal of the bulbs, which contain trace amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin. This fall the PUD will broaden its consumer-awareness efforts and offer more convenient disposal sites for the bulbs, which must be taken to hazardous-waste-disposal sites. * Tailpipe emissions may help power cars http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080812/BIZ/558004054/1005#Tailpipe.em issions.may.help.power.cars <http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080812/BIZ/558004054/1005#Tailpipe.e missions.may.help.power.cars> . Researchers say a device that generates electricity using the heat from the tailpipe could be used in vehicles in three years. * Oregon runs faster to catch the wind http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008106953_wind power12.html <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008106953_win dpower12.html> In Oregon's Harney County, the Bureau of Land Management and the county have seen a jump in interest in the region as companies look for different sources of the renewable energy. * Commentary: A nation flush with energy http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008106320_friedman12.html <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008106320_friedman12.htm l> Frankly, when you compare how America has responded to the 1973 oil shock and how Denmark has responded, we look pathetic. * Chrysler considers shorter workweek to cut energy use http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/442106.html <http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/442106.html> Beyond condensing the workweek, the Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker is looking at a variety of energy-saving ideas, from optimizing tire pressure in shipping vehicles to talking with retail companies about sharing freight space. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING * Fall transit proposal has too few buses, critics say -- But backers insist new light rail will free up more service http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/374563_buses12.html <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/374563_buses12.html> If this year's measure is approved, it will increase the sales tax by 5 cents on a $10 purchase during the 15 years of construction and through 2036, when, Sound Transit thinks, the bonds can be repaid. The agency estimates the added tax bill at $69 per year for a typical adult and $125 per year for a typical household. TRANSPORTATION CHOICES * Seattle City Council approves rules for taxis http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008106929_taxilicenses1 2m.html <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008106929_taxilicenses 12m.html> As part of Seattle's efforts to fight global warming, the law also requires all Seattle taxis to get at least 30 miles per gallon by 2013. Nickels' office said that will reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions of the current taxi fleet by 40 percent. NOTE: If the hyperlink to the article fails, contact Consuelo Flores. Consuelo Flores 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