Category Archives: environment

70 Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicles Run 500,000 Miles in California

The fuel cell – at great expense – improves on some of the range and utility limitations of traditional battery electric vehicles. Continue reading

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Goodyear Concept Tire Charges EV Batteries

BH-O3 generates electricity through the action of materials in the tire that capture and transform the energy created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. Continue reading

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EPA and State Department to Monitor Air Quality Overseas

The deal between the U.S. Department of State – located in Foggy Bottom, once known for industrial smoke, for and pollution – and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes air pollution as a “serious and growing health threat worldwide.” However, in many areas, real-time air quality data are unavailable. Continue reading

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EPA Gives $3 Million to Replace Dirty Diesel School Buses

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the award of more than $3 million in rebates to replace 210 older diesel school buses with new ones that are more than 90% cleaner, reducing pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that are linked to health problems including asthma and lung damage. Continue reading

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EPA, States Say Get the Copper out of Brake Pads

Funny thing about automakers, they are against regulation except when individual states start to wreak havoc with their production lineup, then automakers are all for strong central regulation. This tendency was in evidence with today’s announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the automotive industry and the states signed an agreement to reduce the use of copper and other materials in brake pads. Continue reading

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Toyota Says 1500 Japanese Orders for Mirai Fuel Cell Car

During the first month since its launch in Japan on December 15 2014, 1,500 orders have been received for Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell sedan that lists for ¥7.24 million, ~$63,000, Continue reading

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EPA Proposing Tighter Levels of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Obama Administration via the EPA today announced a new goal to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40% – 45% from 2012 levels by 2025. Continue reading

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EPA Proposal Strengthens Response to Oil Spills

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to amend requirements under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan to improve the nation’s ability to respond to oil spills. This proposal addresses issues raised by the public, responders, government, and industry officials during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill of BP. Continue reading

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EPA Proposes New Rule Limiting Toluene Diisocyanates

EPA today proposed a new rule limiting Toluene Diisocyanates, TDI, widely used in auto manufacturing. These chemicals are in use in residual amounts in the production of polyurethanes and consumer products, such as coatings, elastomers, adhesives, and sealants. Continue reading

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Thanksgiving for Our Tattered Democracy

The most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, has its roots in early 17th century pilgrims – illegal aliens in a sense, as immigrant celebrations of survival because of bountiful – and importantly – shared harvests. Continue reading

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Hyundai, Kia Fined Record Amount for Fuel Economy Cheating

The Korean scofflaws Hyundai and Kia will pay a record $100 million penalty for selling vehicles that emit more greenhouse gases because of false fuel economy ratings. Continue reading

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Shanghai Yancui Import ships Hazardous Materials into US

At least it was not Ebola. Nonetheless, workers at a DHL sorting facility in Erlanger, Kentucky discovered the bottle emitting smoke. Why it took the FAA this long to act is also an indictment of the continuing failure of federal agencies to do their job. To be fair and un-Fox-like it appears that the FAA has a scarce amount of attorneys working on a high volume of cases caused by corporate scofflaws, so it takes time to act. Continue reading

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EV Sales Still a Tiny Part of the Auto Market

U.S. electric vehicle or EV sales are approaching a quarter million, and 20 plug-in models are now available in some parts of the country. Continue reading

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CA Governor Brown, AKA Moonbeam, Increases EV Subsidies

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. yesterday signed half a dozen bills to increase EV subsidies for California’s electric vehicle market. Continue reading

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Pork or Progress as FAA Funds Natural Gas Shuttles?

The grant gives money to purchase six compressed natural gas buses to transport airport passengers and employees from the terminal to parking and rental car facilities. This project is part of the airport’s program to minimize vehicle emissions within the airport footprint. Continue reading

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