The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee chaired by Sen. Boxer, D-Calif., begins work today. By midday Tuesday, Republicans had filed more than 150 possible amendments to the bill dealing with limiting carbon dioxide production. CC Times 12/5/07
A gasoline tanker that rolled over and burst into flames on the MacArthur Maze in Oakland in April is prompting talks about how to prevent similar accidents. Major trucking companies gathered in Oakland Tuesday, joined by representatives of oil companies and hazardous materials experts to consider a few options. Chief among them are high-tech systems that sense when the tanker is about to go out of control and automatically throttle down and apply anti-lock brakes on certain wheels to put the rig back on track. CC Times 12/5/07
A fatal accident that killed a man at the Port of Oakland Monday night is the second in as many months and has longshoremen worried about speed outweighing safety on the docks. The Pacific Maritime Association held closed meetings after the accident but refused to comment on what was discussed during the meeting, or whether any actions will be taken regarding port workers' safety. SJ Mercury 12/5/07
Sen. Barbara Boxer has released two bills in Washington aimed at preventing future oil spills like the one in the San Francisco bay last month. One of the bills would give more authority to the U.S. Coast Guard to control ships entering and exiting ports during emergency or hazardous conditions. The bill would also authorize 20 million dollars to upgrade the Coast Guard's vessel traffic service. The other piece of legislation would raise the liability limit for cargo ships. The bills have not yet been formally introduced.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invites the public to provide oral comments at a public hearing tonight on a proposed air permit for the construction of a clean fuels project at the Big West of California, Bakersfield refinery. EPA 12/4/07
Special Brown Section:
Attorney General Jerry Brown - declaring instant victory on a tobacco suit Tuesday - plans to file a complaint today demanding that U.S. regulators force airliners and other aircraft to spew less greenhouse gases. Brown says in his complaint that the EPA must "adopt regulations to control greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft on the shortest possible timeline" using "emission limitations and operational practices." SJ Mercury 12/5/07
Brown and the other petitioners want the EPA to start imposing tough limits on plane emissions within six months. The federal government now does not regulate greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft or any other vehicles, including cars and trucks. Aircraft account for up to 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the U.S. transportation sector, according to the EPA. By 2025, U.S. air traffic is expected to rise by 60 percent, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. SF Chronicle 12/5/07
California is asking the EPA to:
• Make an explicit finding that greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health and welfare
• Adopt regulations to control greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft
The EPA has six months to respond to the petition.
Central Valley Business Times 12/5/07
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