Category Archives: environment

AFL-CIO, ETUC Release Principles for TransAtlantic Trade Deal

However, critics say provisions threaten the environment, decrease food safety, allow financial institutions to escape regulation that could prevent another global meltdown, drive down wages, and give up US sovereignty in many legal areas, including labor commitments. In the auto sector, it gives European luxury carmakers a free pass to keep importing cars into the US at a time when more manufacturing jobs are desperately needed. Continue reading

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Anti-Green Aviation Industry Finally Getting the Lead Out

The general aviation industry through trade groups, airplane and engine makers, as well as members of Congress who fly has fiercely resisted doing anything about this destructive and toxic use of lead in so-called 100 low lead fuel (100LL) going back to the last century. Continue reading

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EPA Proposes to Replace Harmful HFC Greenhouse Gases

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency – EPA- is proposing to ban the use of certain hydro-fluorocarbon chemicals that it claims significantly contribute to climate change. This is the agency’s second action aimed at reducing emissions of HFCs, a class of potent greenhouse gases. Continue reading

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Department of Transportation Kisses Big Oil and Railroad Butts

The problem, the deadly problem, is that many of the tank cars in use by Big Oil and the railroads to move crude oil are not safe – as the Lac-Mégantic derailment that killed 42 civilians and wiped half of a southern Quebec town proved. Continue reading

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Kerr-McGee $5.15 Billion Cleanup Settlement Largest in History

“If you are responsible for 85 years of poisoning the earth, then you are responsible for cleaning it up,” said U.S. Attorney Bharara. “That’s why this case was brought.” Continue reading

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Republicans Pass Polluter Protection Act

This latest example of the power of money in the Congress is a setback for citizens. In 2009, EPA determined that greenhouse gas pollution threatens Americans’ health and welfare by leading to long lasting changes in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on human health and the environment. Continue reading

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EPA Finally Cleans up Fuel over Big Oil Objections and Money

Once fully in place, the standards will help avoid up to 2,000 premature deaths per year and 50,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, according to agency that Republicans – owned by big oil – love to hate and obstruct. Continue reading

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SAE World Congress to Review 48-Volt Mild Hybrid Progress

Both systems are based on switched reluctance (SR) motor-generator technology developed for a new breed of 48-volt hybrid vehicles. CPT claims multiple O.E. applications are being explored, particularly in Europe for sub-compact and compact vehicles as a relatively inexpensive way to make big gains in fuel economy. Continue reading

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EPA 2013 Enforcement Collects $4.5 billion in Criminal Fines

The U.S. EPA has released its annual report on enforcement efforts and it shows the agency’s cases resulted in criminal sentences requiring violators to pay more than $4.5 billion in combined fines, restitution and court-ordered environmental projects that benefit communities, and more than $1.1 billion in civil penalties. Continue reading

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Top Auto Stories of 2013

As is our annual predilection, here comes AutoInformed on the Top Auto Stories of 2013. As always, these are presented with our wry awareness that opining columnists conduct their education in public as we most certainly did last year – with both good and bad results – and will continue to do so during 2014. Continue reading

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EPA Wants Air Quality to Improve in Ports

Most of the country’s busiest ports are located near large metropolitan areas and, as a result, people in nearby communities can be exposed to high levels of diesel emissions. Continue reading

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Honda Fuel Cell Concept Debuts at Los Angeles Auto Show

Honda’s next generation fuel cell-electric vehicle has what is for the moment the world’s first fuel-cell powertrain packaged completely in the engine room of the vehicle. This not only allows more interior space, but it gives the Japanese automaker some flexibility in the use of fuel cell technology in different vehicle types. Continue reading

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Carbon Black Maker Cabot Corporation Fined by EPA

Boston-based Cabot Corporation, the second largest carbon black manufacturer in the United States, will pay a $975,000 civil penalty and spend an estimated $84 million on technology to control harmful air pollution, resolving alleged violations of the New Source Review (NSR) provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Continue reading

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Fuel Cell Faceoff in LA – Honda v Toyota

The battle of the ‘green press releases continued today as both Honda and Toyota teased their upcoming fuel cell electric vehicles that will appear in the U.S. at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month. Continue reading

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Eight States Want 3.3 Million EVs on U.S. Roads by 2025. Here come More Subsidies for the Rich

Eight states, representing 27% of the total U.S. new vehicle market, have announced a joint plan to put 3.3 million allegedly zero-emission electric vehicles on America’s roads by 2025. “Alleged” because EVs are elsewhere emissions vehicles when you take into account how the electricity is generated. Continue reading

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