SoCal Clean Cities Newsletter

February 2007

Energy Experts Knock Bush Plan for Ethanol as Gas Substitute

They say it would be costly and inefficient and might force choice: corn for food or fuel.

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/25/MNGAUNOPVN1.DTL

'Spare the Air' Program Gets Green Light

Link to story in the San Mateo County Times:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_5083260

More Trains but Less Pollution?

Experts debate BNSF planned rail hub’s environmental impact on High Desert air quality

Link to story in the Daily Press:

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20070125/more-trains-but-less-pollution

State Won’t Drop Auto Industry Emission Suit

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/BAG1GNTJUU1.DTL

Cal Sees BP Deal as Landmark

Research could lead more quickly to making alternative fuel a reality.

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/02/BAG1GNTL911.DTL

Mobile Lab to Scope Out Air Hazards

A specially equipped car will measure pollution levels in several South Bay communities to help fill gaping holes in environmental data.

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-carlab5feb05,1,1932708.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Sorry, Hybrid Driver, Window’s Closed for Carpool Lane Stickers

Link to story in the San Jose Mercury News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/16614747.htm

Bill Would Increase Smog Fee on Newer Cars to $16

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/06/BAGK7NVGVB1.DTL

Bill Aims to be Carrot for Clean-Fuel Ventures

Link to story in the Contra Costa Times:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/state/16633091.htm

LA Goes Public

After decades of neglect, LA's public transit gets a redesign--and a lot of new fans.
Link to story in Fast Company:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/112/features-lagoespublic.html

White House Pushes for Gas Efficiency Bill

Legislation would give government authority to require cars to go further per gallon of gas; Congressman John Dingell says passage looks unlikely.

Link to Reuters story:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/07/news/economy/fuel_economy.reut/index.htm

The Trouble with Clean Cars

They're too quiet: Advocates for blind want sound added so they can hear traffic.

Link to story in The Capital:

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/02_07-44/TOP

Big Oil Cautious about Clean-Energy Spending
Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/09/BUGG3O1FHK1.DTL

California’s Future May be Paved with Fees

Voter-approved bonds won't bankroll all of the state's new roads. Up ahead: public and private tollways.

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-roads13feb13,0,5269294.story?coll=la-home-headlines (may require free registration)

Industry CEOs Testify for Emissions Limits

They get a mixed reception on Boxer's Senate committee.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/14/MNG9MO45TK1.DTL

EPA Might Pose Roadblock to 60 Freeway HOV Lane Plan: Plan Must Pass Environmental Protection Agency

Link to story on KNBC-TV:

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/11015380/detail.html

Los Angeles Airport Commissioners Adopt "Green" Building Policy Standards

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=206304

The Southern California Clean Air Newsletter is published monthly as a service of the Southern California Economic Partnership.

For further information or comments please contact JoAnn Armenta at joann@the-partnership.org or the newsletter’s editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.