San Joaquin Valley low income communities to receive cap-and-trade investments

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) today announced that it has prioritized disadvantaged communities across the state for projects funded by California's cap-and-trade program. As a result, more than $200 million of $832 million in cap-and-trade proceeds from the 2014-2015 budget will be earmarked for low-income areas, including those in Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/san-joaquin-valley-low-income-communities-to-receive-cap-and-trade-investments

Eight scary horror movies for Halloween with an environmental theme

Halloween is almost upon us. Our streets will be filled with revelers dressed, among other things, as ghouls and monsters. To help get in the spirit of what is this author's favorite holiday, here are eight movies that will provide plenty of thrills and scares, if not campy humor, for you and your friends and family to enjoy when you aren't out Trick-or-Treating.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/list/five-scary-horror-movies-for-halloween-with-an-environmental-theme

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants farmers in the San Joaquin Valley's Stanislaus County to know that they have a free and safe way to get rid of obsolete and unwanted pesticides. In an announcement today, EPA said that farmers may bring the chemicals to a free pesticide collection event on Thursday, October 30, 2014. The by-appointment-only event will be held at the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, 3800 Cornucopia Way, in Modesto from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/free-pesticide-disposal-opportunity-for-stanislaus-county-farmers

EPA fines Bakersfield steel fabricator for hazardous waste violations

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that it has fined a Kern County steel fabrication company for violating hazardous waste management regulations. As a result of an investigation begun in 2012, Kern Steel Fabrication, Inc. was fined $57,100 for improperly managing hazardous waste.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/epa-fines-bakersfield-steel-fabricator-for-hazardous-waste-violations

Ten sports cars rated by smog and greenhouse gas performance

Some of the more pressing environmental problems facing cities and the world include photochemical smog and climate change. The former is caused in part by a chemical reaction between sunlight and air pollution emissions from such sources as industries, power plants, commercial and residential facilities, and motor vehicles. Those same sources contribute to an accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are driving climate change and the warming of the planet.

However, despite these issues, some of us, particularly motor-driving enthusiasts, still would like to have some fun. So for those of you with a similar mind, here is a list of sports cars, all under $100,000, along with their air pollution emission ratings. This is not a complete list and does not include exotics, American muscle cars such as the Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro, or all electrics such as the Tesla Model S. However, it is a list of cars that most of you have either seen on the road, own, are considering buying, or just wish that maybe, one day...

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 http://www.examiner.com/list/ten-sports-cars-rated-by-smog-and-greenhouse-gas-performance

Cal/OSHA issues Ebola guidance for workers who may be exposed to deadly virus

In response to growing concerns about the introduction of the deadly Ebola virus into the United States, California's Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) today announced interim guidance for workers who may be exposed to those who are infected. The guidance is geared toward workers and their employers in six general categories based upon potential risks identified by the federal government. Those categories include health care workers, emergency responders, laboratory staff, mortuary workers, airline flight crews and airport staff, and quarantine operations staff.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/cal-osha-issues-ebola-guidance-for-workers-who-may-be-exposed-to-deadly-virus

California residents will see electric bills reduced by Climate Credits

Millions of California households will be receiving some good news soon, according to an announcement from the state Air Resources Board (ARB). As part of California's programs to address climate change, consumer utility bills will be reduced by an average of $35 in October. This is the result of California's Cap-and-Trade program and something called the Climate Credit, which is issued biannually.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/california-residents-will-see-electric-bills-reduced-by-climate-credits

ARB fines Vallejo bus company for air violations, San Joaquin Valley may benefit

California's Air Resources Board (ARB) just announced that it has fined a Texas based bus company $387,750 for tampering with particulate filters and disregarding rules designed to reduce air pollution. The company, Vallejo Citizens Transit Co. (VCTC), a subsidiary of MV Transportation, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, was under contract with the City of Vallejo for bus services when the violations occurred.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/arb-fines-vallejo-bus-company-for-air-violations-san-joaquin-valley-may-benefit

ARB seeking nominations for 2014 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) yesterday announced that it is seeking applications for the 2014 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards. The prestigious awards are given annually to those who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of clean air, climate change, technology, and related policies.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/arb-seeking-nominations-for-2014-haagen-smit-clean-air-awards