Five things you didn't know about Chet Atkins

One of the true legends of the music industry was guitarist Chet Atkins, known for his country, pop, and jazz talents. Although he recorded hundreds of his own records, his greatest influences were as a session musician and as a record producer. He is credited with helping to create the “Nashville” sound of country music in the 1950s and 1960s. The popular country style combined the essences from pop music of the time and honky tonks.

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http://www.axs.com/five-things-you-didn-t-know-about-chet-atkins-53766

Doosan Infracore Company fined $647,500 for violating air pollution regs

Another engine manufacturing company has run afoul of California's stringent air pollution regulations and has agreed to pay a significant fine as a result. South Korean based Doosan Infracore Company Ltd. illegally made field modifications to previously certified compressed natural gas (CNG) motor vehicle engines in violation of California's Health & Safety Code. The penalty, $647,500, was announced today by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) although the actual settlement was signed in October of last year.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/doosan-infracore-company-fined-647-500-for-violating-air-pollution-regs

Mel Tillis: 5 things you didn't know about the legendary artist

Country music star Mel Tillis has recorded more than 60 albums and written over 1000 songs. More than 600 of his songs have been recorded by major artists, including Kenny Rogers ("Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town"), Bobby Bare (“Detroit City”), Brenda Lee (“Emotions”), George Strait (“Thoughts of a Fool”), and Ricky Skaggs (“Honey (Open That Door)”).

Read more about Mel Tillis, including 5 things you didn't know, at the link below:

 http://www.axs.com/mel-tillis-5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-the-legendary-artist-53327

Randy’s Trucking, Inc., given largest ever fine for violating truck regulations

A trucking firm based in Taft, CA has just received the largest air pollution fine ever issued by California for violating the state’s landmark Truck and Bus Regulation. The California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced yesterday that Randy’s Trucking, Inc., has agreed to pay $524,675 for violating requirements designed to reduce harmful diesel emissions into the atmosphere.

The company will pay a portion of the penalty, $392,755, to the state’s Air Pollution Control Fund to support air quality research. The remaining $130,920 will be paid to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) to aid in the cleanup of school bus fleets throughout the state.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/randy-s-trucking-inc-given-largest-ever-fine-for-violating-truck-regulations

EPA issues NOV for oil terminal permits, blasting the SJVAPCD in the process

Anti-oil groups and environmental activists were overjoyed recently with the news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Violation to the Bakersfield Crude Terminal and its owners/operators for violating the Clean Air Act. EPA said that the Taft, CA, facility, which was designed to receive crude oil by rail, had obtained invalid Authorities to Construct and Permits to Operate from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (APCD). Additionally, EPA said that emission offsets and Best Available Control technology were not required by the APCD, blasting the local agency for an inadequate and incorrect permit review/issuance process.

However, in an e-mailed response today to an inquiry from Examiner.com, an APCD representative strongly disputed EPA's charges, stating that EPA did not properly investigate the facts and nor did it even contact the APCD to discuss its analysis of the project before issuing the NOV.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/epa-issues-nov-for-oil-terminal-permits-blasting-the-sjvapcd-the-process