The Cleaner Air News
The newsletter of the Cleaner Air Partnership

Save the Date!

Quarterly meeting 
 Friday, March 25, 2011 

 Our next Quarterly Luncheon will feature a discussion on "bioenergy" strategies to reduce pollution and create new jobs and businesses. Save the date and plan to join us!

Date:
Friday, Mar. 25, 2011

Time:
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Location:
TBD
IN THIS ISSUE
Sustainable Community Planning Efforts Kick-off Feb 23rd
Air Quality Impact of Woody Biomass Disposal
UP's Genset Locomotive Honored
State Legislative Summit Air Quality Team

Join Sustainable Community Planning Efforts Feb 23rd!

Become a member of the Sacramento Region Sustainable Communities Regional Consortium that will inform the work of the region's Sustainable Community Plans at this launch event.

Wednesday, February 23
 
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

SMUD Auditorium (in old building)
6300 S Street, Sacramento

For more information or to register go to: www.sacog.org/sustainable

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www.cleanerairpartnership.orgFebruary 2011
Woody Biomass Used as Fuel Reduces Air Pollution

Publication quantifies air emission reductions of biomass disposal methods

 

Air Quality leaders in Placer County recently authored an important research article entitled "Emission Reductions from Woody Biomass Waste for Energy as an Alternative to Open Burning" recently published in the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association.  The Journal is the oldest continuously published, peer reviewed, technical environmental journal in the world, featuring the latest in cutting-edge research and technology.

Wood smoke is the largest source of particulate matter (PM) in Placer County.  Particulate matter, or soot, has been found to cause lung irritation and aggravate asthma.  The authors of this article sought to evaluate a solution which would remove woody biomass fuel hazards, reducing the severity of wildfires, in a manner that decreases particulate matter emissions.  The article assesses the air quality impact of traditional open pile burning compared to an alternative fate - utilization of woody biomass material as fuel for renewable energy production.   

Based on the results of the demonstration, their study found that biomass converted to energy reduced PM emissions by 98% and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 54%.  Although processing and transporting biomass material to a renewable energy facility results in significant air quality benefits, to make this solution economically feasible the cost to process and transport the biomass must be reduced or emission reduction credits must be sold. 

"This case study confirms the significant net benefits accrued from diversion of woody biomass material away from business as usual pile and burn techniques when compared to the alternative fate of utilizing this material for the generation of renewable energy" noted Bruce Springsteen, the lead author of the article.

Click here to learn more about the study and download the article.

Union Pacific Railroad Receives Environmental Award

Genset locomotive technology reduces air pollution emissions, heralded by State

 

Union Pacific Genset LocomotiveUnion Pacific Railroad received the 2010 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), California's highest and most prestigious environmental honor, for their ultra-low emitting Genset locomotive. The award recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for voluntary achievements in conserving California's resources, protecting and enhancing the environment and building public-private partnerships.

Union Pacific developed the Genset ultra-low emitting locomotive and piloted the technology at the Roseville rail yards and helps address emission concerns associated with idling.  These locomotives use low-emissions EPA-certified "off-road" diesel engines and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent, emissions of oxides of nitrogen by 80 percent, and particulate matter by 90 percent compared to older switching locomotives. Union Pacific currently has nearly 70 of these ultra-low emission locomotives operating in California.

"This honor recognizes Union Pacific's ongoing commitment to developing new technologies that bolster our environmentally friendly transportation of freight," said Mike Iden, Union Pacific general director, car and locomotive engineering. "American businesses and consumers depend on Union Pacific to safely and reliably deliver the products they need and use every day. We are proud of our leadership role in developing and implementing new technologies and practices that further our ability to keep America moving with greater environmental efficiency."

 

For more information about Union Pacific or the "Genset Switcher", contact Liisa Stark
Advocate for Clean Air at the State Capitol

State Leg Summit 2011

Join the State Legislative Summit Air Quality Team

 

On February 22nd, business and community leaders from the Sacramento Region will descend on the State Capitol to meet with elected officials and advocate for policy principles which will support economic growth and improved quality of life for residents and employers. 

 

This year the Air Quality Team will advocate for a local role in AB 32 implementation, streamlining environmental regulatory processes, and ensuring a fair and equitable balance between stationary and mobile sources with regards to mandates working to meet the federal clean air standards. 

 

"It is critical that air quality issues not be lost in the shuffle as the legislature focuses on resolving California's budget crisis," said Will Gonzalez, co-chair of the 2011 State Legislative Summit Air Quality team.  "From a business or a public health perspective, we cannot afford to lose ground on the progress we have made in air quality." 

The event concludes with a reception at the Citizen Hotel, co-hosted by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and newly elected Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, welcoming newly elected legislators. 

 

Click here to learn more and register for the 2011 State Legislative Summit.

The Cleaner Air Partnership  is a joint project of Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and Valley Vision to help the Sacramento Region meet clean air standards that protect health and promote economic growth.