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Reuters
April 11, 2007
U.S. offers renewable fuel standards for vehicles
The United States announced new standards for renewable fuels for cars and trucks on Tuesday, but stopped short of committing to regulate greenhouse gases that spur global warming. The renewable fuel standards program aims to cut dependence on foreign oil and curb global warming pollution by expanding the use of ethanol and other alternative fuels, said Stephen Johnson, head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
March 30, 2007
New Green Big-Rigs Cut Greenhouse Gases, Save Truckers Up To $11,000 Yearly
Starting this month, truck and trailer manufacturers are offering customers 2007 models certified by EPA's SmartWay program to improve fuel efficiency. By meeting EPA equipment specifications, these models provide the triple benefit of saving operators money while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and air pollutants. "These new trucks will make an important contribution toward achieving EPA's goals for conserving energy and reducing emissions," said Bill Wehrum, EPA's acting assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "Truckers who buy this new equipment, and who are members of the EPA SmartWay program, will be able to proudly display a logo on their qualified big-rigs." SmartWay-approved equipment, like aerodynamic bumpers and mirrors on a tractor, can generate fuel reduction of 10 to 20 percent more than trucks without these devices. For example, aerodynamic bumpers and mirrors on a tractor help conserve fuel by reducing wind resistance. Each qualified truck can produce savings from 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of diesel per year, which would result in a gain up to $11,000 annually. Participating in the program are well-known truck brands including Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, and Volvo. EPA plans to set more ambitious performance targets for the SmartWay-recognized tractor-trailer combination in the future. EPA is also developing guidelines for recognizing other vehicles such as delivery vans, in which hybrid technology can dramatically improve fuel efficiency. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is an innovative program developed by EPA and the freight industry to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, and to promote cleaner, more efficient ground freight transportation. For information about joining the SmartWay program, and for a complete list of the specifications for the 2007 SmartWay Tractor and 2007 SmartWay Trailer, go to: http://www.epa.gov/smartway.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
March 30, 2007
EPA Spurs Clean Diesel Technology
In a move that helps pave the way for putting more innovative and fuel efficient clean diesel cars and trucks on America's roads, EPA has issued guidance on emission certification procedures for on-road diesels that use selective catalyst reduction (SCR) technology. While SCR has been used successfully in other applications, this guidance enables automakers for the first time to adapt the technology to light- and heavy-duty vehicles on American roads. SCR reduces emissions of the ozone-forming pollutant nitrogen oxide (NOx). It uses a nitrogen containing "reducing agent," (usually ammonia or urea) that is injected into the exhaust gas upstream of the catalyst. Drivers must periodically replenish the agent or else NOx emissions can greatly increase. Manufacturers will need to gain approval for their SCR strategies as part of EPA certification. These strategies must address driver warning systems and inducement, system durability and reliability, and reducing agent quality and availability. View the March 27, 2007 letter.

Capital Press
March 29, 2007
Top EPA Officials View Ag Innovation: UC Davis Event Highlights Pollution-Cutting Technologies
New John Deere tractors, an irrigation pump demonstration and a biodiesel-sipping car were showcased today for federal and state environmental regulators as examples of agriculture's efforts to curb pollution at UC Davis. The field trip to the university's Western Center for Agricultural Equipment came on the final day of the annual California Biomass Collaborative and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's West Coast Collaborative, which was held in Sacramento.

Washington Post
March 26, 2007
U.S. House of Representatives OKs Bill to Cut Ship Pollution
Under a House bill approved late Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard and EPA would be given the authority to develop and enforce emission limits on the thousands of domestic and foreign-flagged diesel-powered ships that enter U.S. waters each year.

BNA
January 9, 2007
Report Describes Emissions Benefits Of Various Transportation Strategies
The Federal Highway Administration released a report analyzing pollutant-specific impacts of air pollution control strategies for transportation which found, among other things, that curbing vehicle miles traveled is more effective than policies governing vehicle speeds in reducing emissions.

Planetizen
May 13, 2006
Chevron Invests In Texas Biodiesel Plant
Renewable fuels received a big boost from the country's second largest oil company. After an investment in ethanol fuel, Chevron acquired 22% of a Texas soybean biodiesel plant, meaning that biodiesel production in the U.S. will increase over 50%.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
December 8, 2006
85 Percent of Highway Diesel Fuel Meets EPA Standards
New, cleaner diesel fuel is producing cleaner air, according to preliminary surveys and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Surveys of retail stations since mid-October show that about 85 percent of highway diesel fuel meets Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) standards, exceeding the 80 percent regulatory mandate. 100 percent of highway diesel fuel must meet the ULSD standards by 2010.

Green Building News  
November 13, 2006 
Oil from Algae?
There was recent news about the discovery of 200 marine dead zones all over the world. These dead zones occur when water becomes devoid of oxygen because algae have consumed it. The algae create the oxygen deficit because of their ability to prosper in polluted water that kills off all other marine life but them. With no competitors or predators to curb their numbers, the algae are free to grow uncontrolled and consume oxygen.

But there is an upside to algae’s ability to grow so quickly. Because they grow in specific environments, sensitive to salinity, sunlight, acidity, temperature and nutrients, algae’s growth can be controlled and even augmented. That means that one of the most promising new uses for algae is the production of vegetable oil – bio-diesel.

New Model Serves as Resource for States to Cut Truck Fuel Use
To help facilitate more consistent, effective state truck idling laws, EPA has developed a model that states can consider adopting to help strengthen idling reduction efforts, reduce fuel consumption and improve industry compliance.  Reducing idling conserves energy, helps the environment and saves industry money.  Each year, truck idling consumes over one billion gallons of diesel fuel, resulting in the emission of 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, over 180,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, as well as emission of fine particulate matter and other air toxics.  The model is based on input from workshops EPA held across the country last year with the trucking industry, states, and environmental and health groups. Information on the model

EPA announces program to cut diesel pollution
September 30, 2004
CLEAN AIR
Greenwire
The U.S. EPA announced a new initiative yesterday that aims to coordinate $100 million in federal funding annually to reduce pollution caused by diesel fuel on the West Coast.

About $10 million per year is already committed to the program, which involves cooperation with state and local pollution authorities and the Mexican and Canadian governments to reduce emissions from older diesel engines through replacement and improved fuels (David Danelski, Riverside [Calif.] Press-Enterprise, Sept. 30).

BNA Inc. Daily Environment Report
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Joint Public, Private Campaign Aims To Cut West Coast Diesel Emissions
Federal, state, and local regulators Sept. 30 will team up with industry and nonprofit groups to launch a $6 million effort to try to speed up the reduction of harmful diesel emissions from trucks, marine vessels, locomotives, and other sources along the West Coast. Separate events will be held in five California cities, Portland and Eugene in Oregon, and Seattle, Wash., to announce projects organized by the West Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative, Environmental Protection Agency Region IX Administrator Wayne Nastri said in news conferences held Sept. 29. The projects involve a mix of programs aimed at replacing or retrofitting high-polluting diesel engines in locomotives and marine vessels, reducing the time heavy-duty diesel trucks idle, and electrifying ports so cruise ships can plug in instead of generating power through diesel engines.

Business Wire and Diesel Technology Forum
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Diesel Industry Supports U.S. EPA "West Coast Diesel Emissions Reduction Collaborative"; Diesel Technology Forum Encourages Focus on Cost-Effective Clean Diesel Strategies and http://dieselforum.org/news/sept_30_2004.html
America's diesel industry today expressed support and encouragement for the U.S. EPA-sponsored "West Coast Diesel Emissions Reduction Collaborative," a public-private effort to promote and secure additional funding for voluntary programs that reduce emissions from diesel-powered engines. Eight separate events were held today in California, Oregon and Washington state to formally announce the effort, describe several immediate projects that have been funded and outline long-term objectives. "From the start of this effort in June, participants have offered creative ideas and looked to proven, cost-effective strategies for reducing diesel emissions," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum (www.dieselforum.org).

Washington Times
Thursday, September 30, 2004
EPA Grants to Reduce Diesel Idling in West
The Environmental Protection Agency announced $6 million in grants Thursday to cut diesel emissions on the West Coast. The grants go to projects ranging from onshore electric power for cruise ships in Seattle to locomotive retrofits in Bakersfield. The projects also include those that reduce the need to idle truck engines over long periods in Los Angeles and San Diego. The EPA said in a release that reducing running time and replacing older diesel engines will have a major impact on the amount of soot and other emissions spewed into the air from trucks, trains, ships and farm equipment. Such emissions are considered potential health risks. The industry-supported Diesel Technology Forum said the EPA's actions are "creative" and "cost-effective."

GRIST Magazine
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Pop Goes the Diesel: Partnership Formed to Fight Diesel Fumes
The U.S. EPA this week announced the formation of a partnership to undertake voluntary, cooperative measures to reduce the impact of diesel fumes on Western states. (Diesel fumes, for those of you tuning in late, kill people. Lots of people.) Most of the money funding the measures will come from the federal government; the EPA hopes to secure $100 million over five years. The partnership, which will involve some 400 federal agencies, environmental organizations, and private business groups, will target the largest sources of diesel fumes: long-haul trucks, cargo and cruise ships, locomotives, and heavy farm and construction equipment. The measures are varied, from having Princess cruise ships plug into the Seattle electricity grid rather than idle when at port to replacing diesel locomotives in the San Joaquin Valley. The EPA projects that, when fully funded, the partnership will collectively remove 8,000 tons of particulate pollutants from the air and save $2 billion in associated health costs. Enviro groups and health agencies, not surprisingly, welcomed the news but said far more was necessary to adequately address the problem.

E-Trucker Online
Thursday, September 30, 2004
EPA Lauds West Coast Projects to Cut Emissions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made simultaneous announcements along the West Coast Sept. 29 to herald collaborative projects to reduce diesel emissions. The West Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative, begun in April, plans to invest $100 million annually for the next five years. Partners include U.S., Canadian and Mexican federal agencies, state and local governments, and non-profits and businesses from California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia.

Enviro BLR Online
Friday, October 1, 2004
EPA, California, Oregon, Washington Join to Announce Comprehensive West Coast Diesel Initiative
EPA joined with a consortium of federal, state, and local government agencies, non-profits, and industry to kick off an unprecedented $6 million effort to reduce diesel emissions from trucks, ships, locomotives, and other diesel sources along the West Coast. Organized as the West Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative, more than 400 interests are working together to find voluntary solutions, incentives, and shared approaches to reducing diesel pollution in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska sooner than federally mandated deadlines. Interests from British Columbia and Mexico have also joined this effort.

Platinum Matthey.com (Johnson Matthey)
Friday, October 1, 2004
US Clean Diesel Industry Gathers Pace
The US clean diesel industry is gathering momentum as it targets major emissions reductions ahead of new regulations governing exhaust fumes. Now representatives of the industry, under the auspices of the Diesel Technology Forum, are seeking more funding to ensure that progress can be maintained. The group today issued support for the US Environment Protection Agency-sponsored 'West Coast Diesel Emissions Reduction Collaborative', a public-private drive to boost funding in the sector. Events across the US have been staged this week in order to highlight the clean technology, with new projects explored and future long-term aims outlined.

STAPPA ALAPCO Washington Update
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Consortium Announces West Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative
A consortium of federal, state and local government agencies, non-profits and industry announced a $6-million initiative aimed at reducing diesel emissions from trucks, ships, locomotives and other diesel sources along the West Coast. Under the West Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative, more than 400 interests will work together to identify voluntary solutions and incentives to reduce diesel emissions in California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska sooner than such reductions would be achieved under federally mandated deadlines.

GreenBiz.com
Monday, October 4, 2004
Climate Trust to Buy Carbon from Reduced Diesel Pollution at Truck Stops
The Climate Trust says it will spend up to $2.2 million to address one of the West Coast’s most serious air pollution problems: the emissions from diesel trucks idling at truck stops. Truckers are required to keep off the road for at least eight hours per day to combat potential fatigue. While taking their required rest at truck stops, they most often idle their engines to provide heating, air conditioning, and power for equipment in the cab. The idle reduction technology allows trucks to use the power grid’s more efficient electricity rather than their own diesel engines to provide a comfortable space and needed in-cab services. The Climate Trust project will commit $2 million in a collaborative project that implements innovative idle reduction technology at truck stops in Oregon and an additional $200,000 for projects in Washington.

E-Wire.com
Friday, October 1, 2004
The Climate Trust Commits $2.2 Million to Purchase Carbon from Reduced Diesel Pollution at Truck Stops
Today, at a conference with Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Oregon State University, The Climate Trust announced a commitment to spend up to $2.2 million to address one of the West Coast's most serious air pollution problems: the emissions from diesel trucks idling at truck stops.

Daily Environment Report, BNA, Inc.
Thursday October 14, 2004
EPA Announces $1 Million in Grants to Reduce Emissions from Truck Idling
RALEIGH, N.C.--Nine states have been awarded $1 million in grants as part of an effort to reduce air pollution from truck idling, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Oct. 13. The agency is awarding the grants under its SmartWay Transport Partnership program to help research methods to reduce idling such as truck-stop electrification and shore power.

DieselNet.com
October 1, 2004
US EPA Announces West Coast Diesel Initiative
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a consortium of federal, state and local agencies and industry have launched the “West Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative”—a $6 million initiative to reduce diesel emissions from trucks, ships, locomotives and other diesel sources along the West Coast. More than 400 interests have been involved in the program, which will find voluntary solutions and provide funding to reduce diesel emissions in California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Interests from British Columbia and Mexico have also joined this effort.