Transporation Daily News 10/24

Global warming is stirring up health problems that are likely to worsen, witnesses told a Senate committee Tuesday, pointing to heat waves, severe weather, rising air pollution, waterborne diseases, water and food supply disruptions and even refugees resulting from civil conflict. The chart foretold increasing rates of asthma and cardiovascular diseases, malaria, dengue, malnutrition, migration and premature death. The testimony came during a hearing on global warming held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Next week the committee's global warming panel begins work on legislation to cut emissions by 60 percent by 2050. The legislation would allow states such as California to move ahead with even tougher laws. Sacramento Bee 10/24/07

 

With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tending to the Southern California wildfires Tuesday, his office delayed until next week a lawsuit demanding action from the Bush administration on the state's long-stalled request to enforce its global warming law. Mary Nichols, director of the state Air Resources Board, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, said she and Schwarzenegger would postpone the suit until next week "so that all state and federal resources can remain focused on fighting these devastating wildfires." SF Chronicle 10/24/07

 

In an effort to speed cleanup of the state's air pollution, the California Air Resources Board has adopted a sweeping plan that would require all farmers in the state to use cleaner engines in farm equipment. The new plan, which was adopted by the board in September, must now be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, farmers say once they have paid for a tractor and learn it has no resale value, it will be difficult to turn around and buy a new one to comply with the regulations. California Farm Bureau Federation 10/24/07

 

Mostly hidden in the hills south of Reno, Northern Nevada's largest highway project is taking shape. Heavy equipment is carving out the route of a new six-lane freeway that eventually will link Mount Rose Highway to Washoe Valley. It's all part of a $500 million-plus project that, when completed in 2011, will finally link Reno to Carson City with a continuous freeway. Contract woes have caused delay, but the project seems to be picking up steam again. Reno Gazette-Journal 10/24/07