California's new climate change reduction goals require the state's electricity providers to draw a larger share of their energy from renewable sources like solar, hydro-electric, or geothermal. How close are we to meeting these goals?  What are the barriers standing in our way?  This Friday the Cleaner Air Partnership is focusing it's quarterly meeting on these questions.  Joining us are experts from the Center for Energy Efficiency and Rewable Technology, SMUD, PG&E, and Roseville Electric.  The meeting is open to the public but seating is limited.  To RSVP, please contact Angela Shepard at angela.shepard@valleyvision.org. 

The California Air Resources Board Friday released a draft rule that would require older big rigs be fit with exhaust filters by 2014 and low emission engines by 2020.  Aerodynamic fairings and low rolling resistance tires on long-haul trucks also would be required to improve fuel efficiency.  These moves would help the state to meet federal air quality standards. 

 

The agency estimates the regulations will cost trucking companies roughly $5.5 billion and will prevent over 9,000 premature deaths each year.  An exhaust trap costs $10,000 and a replacement engine roughly $100,000 per big rig.  Trucking groups generally object to the retrofit rules, especially with high fuel prices and the down economy. 

 

The air board is scheduled to take a final vote on the draft rule at a meeting in Sacramento Dec. 11-12.  The Cleaner Air Partnership will be submitting a letter on behalf of it's partners.  To learn more, visit www.arb.ca.gov/. 

Up to $750 in incentives are available to Sacramento County residents for changing out wood stoves or wood fireplaces to cleaner burning heat sources. The incentive program was re-opened Sept. 1 and runs through June 2009.  The program is aimed at reducing harmful smoke that is linked to poor health impacts.  To learn more about the program, visit www.airquality.org/woodstove/.