CA Meeting Zero-Emissions Truck Sales Ahead of Schedule

Mendez, L. (2023, October 23). California meets its target for zero-emissions truck sales two years ahead of schedule | California Air Resources Board. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/california-meets-its-target-zero-emissions-truck-sales-two-years-ahead-schedule 

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released an annual report that shows that truck manufacturers are two years ahead of schedule in switching to zero-emissions vehicles. The goal is 100% zero-emissions trucks by 2045, and sales requirements start in 2024. CARB works with truck manufacturers to make the gradual transition to 100% zero-emissions vehicles. Trucks in California represent 6% of the vehicles on the roads, yet emit over 35% of its transportation-related NO2 emissions. This report shows a willingness to move towards cleaner technology. 

Given that trucks make up more than 35% of transportation-related NO2 emissions in California, the fact that we’re ahead of the goal to switch is great! It shows that in this market, there is an interest in moving to a future with zero-emissions, besides the fact that it will eventually be a requirement. Furthermore, with more zero-emissions trucks in the market, perhaps that will incentivize people to convert to electric cars if possible. Hopefully, similar to how truck manufacturers are doing it, electric car manufacturers can work with CARB to produce electric cars that are affordable for more people and move to a majority of electric vehicles on the roads.

Sacramento Airport Working Towards Greener Future

Taylor, J. (2023, November 22). Sacramento International Airport Working Toward Greener Future that includes electric planes. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/sacramento-international-airport-working-toward-greener-future-that-includes-electric-planes/ 

There is an increasing number of people traveling by airplane, and Sacramento International Airport is cutting back on carbon emissions. The planning manager of the airport, Glen Rickelton, reports on the technology that reduces emissions when planes idle. By transitioning jetbridges to preconditioned air, “when the airplanes come to the gate, they can hook up to that and have power.” Because of this technology, plane engines do not run when idling. It is not clear, but they have also been looking towards a future of using electric planes. In the meantime, solar panels power more than a third of the airport, and shuttle busses are being converted from gas to electric. These strategies all add up to reduce emissions in Sacramento, which has severe air pollution.

The transportation industry (in this case, especially the flying industry) is one of the leading causes of carbon emissions. It is essential to reduce carbon emissions where we can for now (the idling part), but the real problem is the flying itself. It’s good that the airport is working towards electric planes, but when will it happen? I wonder what the progress with that is, and what specifically Sacramento International Airport is doing to work towards it. Regardless, the current progress is important, especially the ability to power more than a third of the airport with renewable energy.

First US Direct Air Capture Plant in CA

Hiar, C. (2023, November 27). First U.S. Direct Air Capture Plant opens in California. E&E News by POLITICO. https://www.eenews.net/articles/first-u-s-direct-air-capture-plant-opens-in-california/ 

A direct carbon capture plant, the first of its kind in the United States, was opened in California. The plant, made by Heirloom Carbon Technologies, uses sheets of limestone that pull carbon dioxide from the air. A kiln then separates the carbon from the limestone. The carbon is permanently stored, and the limestone can be reused. The plant will remove 1,000 tons of CO2 from the air in the next year. Comparatively, that is not much, but the carbon capture plant represents a future for the carbon capture industry. Right now, it is the only way of directly “unpolluting” the environment.

Even though the carbon capture plant will remove an amount of carbon that barely compares to the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere each year, it is still crucial. If we are to slow the pollution of the atmosphere, the United States has to start somewhere. I’m hoping that this industry of direct carbon capture can take off throughout the United States to begin capturing larger and more significant amounts of carbon dioxide. The fact that the process is sustainable is essential, too – limestone can be reused, and the kiln uses renewable energy. Direct carbon capture is needed if we are to stop the worst effects of climate change, and the United States can advance this industry tremendously. 

SoCal Warehouses Violating Clean-Air Rule

City News Service. (n.d.). AQMD: More than half of SoCal warehouses violating clean-air rule. AQMD: Over half of SoCal warehouses violating clean-air rule. https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/environment/2023/09/20/aqmd–more-than-half-of-socal-warehouses-violating-clean-air-rule 

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has found that more than two-thirds of Southern California warehouses didn’t comply with air-quality rules. The AQMD passed a rule in 2021 requiring large warehouses to reduce emissions and guarantee those living in nearby communities were not subject to harmful air pollution. These warehouses are huge factors in worsening air quality in nearby communities. These communities are typically lower-income and affected by pollution disproportionately. The warehouses could face thousands of dollars in daily penalties and legal action.

It’s disheartening to see clear backward progress regarding air pollution, especially near Los Angeles, which has the worst air quality in the United States. Two-thirds of all of those warehouses is significant, not only in quantity but in the amount of pollution they have been spreading to nearby communities. I do expect that the penalties and legal action will help with the compliance with air-quality standards, but the fact that they could get away with it for two years, causing damage to the health of people in communities near them, frustrates me. Now that the rule is being enforced, I hope Los Angeles’ will be able to aim for better air quality.

CAPP Blueprint 2.0

Larios, A. (2023, October 26). CARB approves first 5-year strategy update for its equity-driven Community Air Protection Program | California Air Resources Board. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/carb-approves-first-5-year-strategy-update-its-equity-driven-community-air-protection-program 

The Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) has been given an update, called “Blueprint 2.0.” CAPP works with residents to improve air quality statewide. The new plan adds “the use of community air grants to support local emissions-reduction plans, flexibility in the use of incentives funds to meet community goals, and community-focused enforcement.” These actions will allow CAPP to further its progress more effectively and efficiently. CAPP mainly works to give those in disadvantaged areas a voice when making decisions – “94% of Community Air Protection incentives are spent in disadvantaged and low-income communities”, which is much more than the required 70%. Directly, this program helps in various ways, like discussing actions to reduce emissions, inspecting oil and gas wells, posting signs to inform, putting air filters in schools, schoolbus electrification, and more. 

Knowing there is a program directly working with and giving a voice to disadvantaged and low-income communities in California gives me hope for the future when making decisions regarding air quality. Because of this update, West Oakland, which is very close to us, can move towards a “zero-emission port.” Progress can often feel slow, but improvement can seem real when decisions affect areas near us. I wonder how long it will take to see disadvantaged or low-income areas significantly improve air quality and how well this program achieves that.

Canadian Wildfires

Wolfe, E., & Sutton, J. (2023, July 26). Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires blankets northern US cities with Air Pollution. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/weather/canadian-wildfire-us-air-pollution/index.html  

Smoke from fires in Canada has moved across Northern states. This has led to pollution and poor air quality that is hazardous to people’s health. Because of this, “Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit, Michigan, were ranked among the most polluted cities in the world.” In Illinois and a couple of other states, the EPA “has declared an ‘Air Pollution Action Day’.” “Children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and pregnant people” are most at risk and are recommended to stay inside. This has been Canada’s worst fire season on record. 

Despite the fires happening in Canada, the United States is heavily affected by them, which is a considerable problem for both sides. It is similar to how the pollution we create goes upwind to Canada, disadvantaging them although it is the United States making it. Additionally, wildfire seasons are on track to worsen due to climate change; therefore, smoke and other pollutants from them are also aiming to worsen not just in Canada but in areas prone to wildfires in the United States, as they have been before. Still, organization in stopping the fires makes me hopeful about how the United States can work on preventing air pollution and climate change that leads to it.

EPA Proposal

EPA. (2023, July 25). Biden-Harris Administration proposes to improve air pollution emissions data. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-proposes-improve-air-pollution-emissions-data 

The EPA proposes updating its requirements for businesses to report their emissions. Currently, reporting of harmful emissions is not consistent nationwide. This proposal, if passed, “would require nearly 130,000 facilities to report air toxics emissions directly to EPA.” This data will be used to identify places where people are exposed to harmful air pollution. With it, the EPA “develops and reviews regulations, conducts air quality modeling, and conducts risk assessments to understand how air pollution may affect the health of communities across the country.” With better knowledge, it will be easier to find solutions. 

It’s essential to better understand what toxins are being released into the air and by what quantity. Especially specifically requiring facilities to report them. But to me, the progress with air-quality-related rules and regulations being passed seems far too slow. Even though this is a step in the right direction, it is possible to do more, like putting regulations on the actual pollutants being released into the air. Why are these regulations being held back, yet others being proposed? It is more important to stop emissions as soon as possible, given that the damage it is doing to us as people can not be reversed.

Ozone and Particle Pollution Across the United States

Christensen, J. (2023, April 19). A quarter of Americans live with polluted air, with people of color and those in western states disproportionately affected, report says. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/19/health/state-of-the-air-2023/index.html 

A 2023 State of the Air report focusing on ozone and particle pollution in the United States proves that air quality in these two categories is worsening, especially in certain parts of the United States. Ozone pollution has fallen due to “emission controls… (and) the country’s continuing move away from its reliance on coal for its energy needs.” Particle pollution levels have gone up, especially in certain cities in California. In the United States, people of color make up “41% of the overall US population, [yet] they are 54% of the nearly 120 million people living in counties with at least one failing grade for unhealthy air.”

Though ozone levels have decreased because of the country’s shift away from coal, particle pollution hasn’t. Still, this means that, in one aspect, efforts to fix air pollution have helped. If we can apply those same efforts to reducing particle pollution, it is possible to work on managing it. By making more decisions to reduce pollution and putting limits on it, especially final decisions federally. It is absolutely possible to reduce these pollutants, primarily because it has worked in reducing ozone levels. Given that pollution is disproportionate by race, fixing this issue will help with health and lean towards fixing more significant social issues that non-white Americans face.

TEMPO Satellite

Bayram, S., & Hersher, R. (2023, June 19). A new satellite could help clean up the air in America’s most polluted neighborhoods. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/06/19/1179670466/air-pollution-satellite-baltimore-climate-change

The TEMPO satellite, standing for Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution, is planning to start up around late August 2023. A collaboration between NASA, NOAA, and Smithsonian, the satellite will gather near-continuous information about air pollution around the whole country. The data it collects will significantly help forecast air quality in areas with high pollution, and this new information will help reduce air pollution. In the United States, areas most affected by air pollution are typically “poor and working class communities and communities of color.” The new data gathered by TEMPO will especially help in these areas.

With new and current information on air quality across the United States, not only will TEMPO help with getting a better understanding of air quality for future plans relating to it, but it will also help communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. Socioeconomic inequalities in air pollution in the United States are very evident. New data from TEMPO will help in these places by showing the reality to people, and this new evidence will help with getting companies to reduce their air pollution. With this all happening very soon, I hope to see eventual findings by TEMPO and understand the complexities of air pollution in the United States. I believe the data could also help people remain safer and out of heavily polluted areas, mainly because its findings will be near-continuous. 

AI Forecasting Air Quality

Fu, J. S. (2023, August 9). AI can help forecast air quality, but freak events like 2023’s summer of wildfire smoke require traditional methods too. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/ai-can-help-forecast-air-quality-but-freak-events-like-2023s-summer-of-wildfire-smoke-require-traditional-methods-too-210170  

Scientists can predict air quality a few days ahead using two main methods – a chemical transport model or a machine-learning model. Chemical transport models can predict and simulate chemical reactions and air pollutants flow by using “data from emissions inventories reported by local agencies that list pollutants from known sources.” On the other hand, machine-learning models learn air quality patterns and, when comparing those patterns to the present, can predict future air quality. But with random events, like the wildfires in Canada, they are unable to predict because they had not learned those patterns yet.

Understanding more about what models are used to predict air quality (and how AI is struggling with it) is interesting because depending on the future of machine-learning models, we could predict air quality very well. Especially with the rise of AI and the increase of new data, I believe that machine-learning can work around “random events” and lead to a very accurate prediction. I wonder if, in the future, chemical transport models wouldn’t be needed anymore to predict the air quality. Additionally, a better understanding of air pollution prediction can be better for human health as people can better plan ahead to stay inside on days when the air quality is at its worst.