The federal Environmental Protection Agency tightened the public health standard for smog Tuesday, but many environmentalists and California officials said the change does not go far enough to protect children, the sick and elderly from air pollution. However, pollution regulators predicted the new national standard should produce cleaner air. The Bay Area and many areas in California will be forced to take new measures to reduce emissions from factories and homes, they said. CC Times 3/13/08
The Bay Area has the nation's second worst road and highway conditions, after the Los Angeles area, according to a report released Wednesday by a Washington-based transportation research group. Poor highway conditions on 62 percent of the region's main thoroughfares cost motorists an average of $761 a year in auto maintenance, the study by The Road Information Program found. CC Times 3/13/08
Lawmakers on Wednesday launched an independent state investigation into last year's ship fuel spill in the Bay, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed confidence that his administration properly handled the emergency. A legislative committee granted Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, a request for the nonpartisan Auditor's Office to conduct a probe of what she says was a series of mistakes by state agencies reacting to the November spill. CC Times 3/13/08
California High-Speed Rail Authority Executive Director Mehdi Morshed, joined Governor Schwarzenegger Tuesday in participating in a roundtable discussion at the State Capitol regarding the importance of investing in California's infrastructure and maintaining the state's economic growth through public private partnerships. Mr. Morshed noted the California proposed system of high-speed trains offers a unique opportunity to develop a new model for "P3" or public private partnership financing. Business Wire 3/13/08
Southern Nevada tourism officials are starting a $12 million ad campaign to invite visitors and conventioneers to town despite high gasoline prices, sagging consumer confidence and a global credit crisis. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, representing area governments and the largest Las Vegas area hotel-casinos, gave the go-ahead Tuesday to the "Vegas Right Now" campaign to run through June. Research presented during the authority's monthly meeting showed declines in arrivals and departures at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, decreasing visitor traffic from Southern California and a dip in casino gambling revenue. North County Times 3/13/08
CALIFORNIA air regulators have refused to go away quietly after a major setback two weeks ago on their plan to make ships burn cleaner fuel within 24 miles of the state. This means the stop-start implementation of this unilateral law in the Golden State will continue to remain an obstacle for merchant shipping, despite a stated US position in favour of Marpol Annex VI and two clear-cut victories at the first two rungs of the US federal court system. Lloyd's List 3/13/08
Federal environmental regulators proposed a national fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2018 before top officials stopped their work in December, according to a congressional investigation. The chairman of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday accused the Environmental Protection Agency of foot-dragging and demanded several documents related to the proposal, including communications with the White House. Detroit Free Press 3/13/08
An American tech-licencing company says it is in negotiations with the US Air Force - and unnamed airlines - to supply jet fuel made from Californian household waste. A combination of high oil prices, a military push to find secure fuel sources, and governmental incentives are expected to make the business case viable. The Register UK 3/13/08
The National Retail Federation (NRF) on Tuesday urged the Port of Oakland, Calif., to reject a proposal to impose new container fees to ease pollution and traffic congestion similar to those approved recently in Los Angeles and Long Beach, and instead adopt a plan to ease air pollution and congestion that is supported by shippers. Home Furnishings Business 3/13/08
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