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Air
Latest News and Updates
AirShare
AirShare is operated by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District has a new tool for air quality communicators that provides up-to-date information on state and local air-related news, products, events, programs, and activities.
For more information.
EPA Proposes First National Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In response to the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764; Public Law 110-161), EPA has proposed a rule that requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from large sources in the United States.
The proposed rule would collect accurate and comprehensive emissions data to inform future policy decisions.
In general, EPA proposes that suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG emissions submit annual reports to EPA. The gases covered by the proposed rule are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated gases including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrofluorinated ethers (HFE).
For more information.
Climate Smart Communities
The Climate Smart Communities program from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is a state and local partnership to encourage climate protection. The program is centered around a pledge to combat climate change and includes the online resource, A Guide for Local Officials: Climate Smart Communities.
For more information.
EPA Proposes Clean Air Standards to Reduce Emissions
EPA is proposing new clean air standards to reduce emissions from about 1 million existing stationary diesel engines. The more stringent standards would take effect beginning in 2013, reducing emissions of hazardous volatile organic compounds, particle pollution, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Stationary diesel engines also would be required to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, already in use by mobile diesel engines. The new rules would affect stationary engines including but not limited to those used to generate electricity both a primary and a backup generation source.
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U.S. Stimulates Global Market for Methane Recovery and Use as Fuel - The Way to Go Clean, Green and Fight Climate Change
International leadership by the United States to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is highlighted in the third annual Methane to Markets (M2M) partnership report. Current U.S. supported M2M projects, when fully implemented, will deliver estimated annual emissions reductions of more than 24 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, tripling the reductions achieved in 2006. M2M reduces greenhouse gas emissions by recovering methane (also a primary component of natural gas) from agricultural waste, coal mines, landfills, and oil and gas systems and using it as clean energy.
For more information.
National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change is available.
This web page provides an overview of the likely effects of climate change on water resources and the nation's clean water and safe drinking water programs.
For more information.
Issue Summary
Local governments play an important role in reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution and the impacts of climate change by educating communities about air quality issues and participating in air quality improvement policies, programs or initiatives in buildings they own and/or manage, transportation and energy programs, and land use decisions.
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