Mobile Emissions Today articles from August 2005

Mobile Emissions Today archives from August 2005

House, Senate Approve Energy Policy Act of 2005.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The U.S. Senate approved Friday afternoon, by a vote of 74 to 26, the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The House of Representatives passed the legislation on Thursday by a vote of 275 to 156. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce noted that...

Guangzhou to Strengthen Limits on Vehicle Emissions.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... China Daily reported last week that officials in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province have proposed strict new limits for the city's motor vehicles in an effort to improve air quality. According to China Daily, the proposed rules would require...

New Survey Finds Californians Concerned About Air Pollution.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) recently announced the release of a new survey on the environment, the results of which indicate that six in 10 Californians (57 percent) believe air pollution in their region presents "at least...

EPA Releases 2005 Fuel Economy Trends Report.(Environmental Protection Agency )(Brief Article)
August 2, 2005... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the release of "Light-duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2005." According to EPA, model year 2005 vehicles are estimated to average 21 miles per...

NZ Green Party Unveils Transport Plan for Wellington.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2005... New Zealand's Green Party recently unveiled its new transportation plan for the city of Wellington, which promotes such initiatives as "Ride the Wind," a public transport system powered by wind and renewable energy. "Just two wind turbines...

Port of Los Angeles to Implement New Air Quality Measures.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2005... The Port of Los Angeles recently outlined plans for a $16.6-million suite of "near-term" air quality improvement measures planned for implementation over the next year. According to the port, the 2005-2006 Port of Los Angeles Clean Air...

Oregon Governor Considers Veto of Bill's Emissions Language.(Ted Kulongoski)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2005... Reuters recently reported that a spokesperson for Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski has revealed that the state leader intends to veto a section of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) budget bill which features language...

AMA Voices Support for Mandatory Ethanol Use in Australia.(Australian Medical Association)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2005... The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recently wrote to the government's Biofuels Taskforce to express its support for the mandatory use of ethanol in gasoline "in the interests of protecting and improving human health." "We...

ZAP Donates Half of Smart Car Auction Proceeds to ALA.(American Lung Association)(electric vehicles)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2005... Alternative vehicle interest ZAP recently donated half of the proceeds from an E-bay auction of its first "Americanized" Smart Car to the American Lung Association (ALA). According to ZAP, the proceeds from the auction, minus the cost of...

EC Finds Support for Curbing of Aviation Emissions.(European Commission)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2005... The European Commission (EC) published late last week the results of a two-month public internet consultation conducted by the commission, which reveal broad support among the aviation industry, NGOs and citizens for taking action to limit "the...

UI PPC Receives Grant to Study Road Use Taxes.(University of Iowa's, Public Policy Center)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2005... The University of Iowa's (UI) Public Policy Center (PPC) recently announced it has been awarded a $16.5-million federal grant to study a new approach that would replace fuel taxes as the primary source funds for financing the nation's public...

Valero Reveals Plan to Cease MTBE Production.
August 5, 2005... Bloomberg News recently reported that San Antonio, TX-based oil refiner Valero Energy Corporation has revealed plans to cease production of the fuel additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) following House and Senate passage of the energy...

Vermont Works to Adopt Vehicular Emissions Rules.(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... Local Vermont newspaper the Montpelier Times Argus reported earlier this week that the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has started work to create new rules that would limit the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by cars in the state....

UC Riverside to Host Alcohol Fuels Symposia in San Diego.(University of California)(Brief Article)
August 5, 2005... The University of California (UC), Riverside's Environmental Research Institute will host the 15th International Symposia on Alcohol Fuels (ISAF XV), the theme of which is "Alcohol Fuels' Role in Sustainable Transportation: Alcohols and Other...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
August 5, 2005... NATIONAL PETROCHEMICAL & REFINERS ASSOCIATION'S (NPRA) CLEAN FUELS CHALLENGE, August 9-10, 2005, Westin Galleria, Houston, TX AIR QUALITY V CONFERENCE: MERCURY, TRACE ELEMENTS, SO3 AND PARTICULATE MATTER, September 19-21, 2005, Marriott...

Bosch Produces 25-Millionth Diesel Common Rail System.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... Bosch recently announced it has delivered its 25-millionth common rail injection system for diesel vehicles. According to the company, its common rail systems have helped reduce particulate emissions from new diesel passenger vehicle...

AWMA to Host Diesel Exhaust Conference in Oak Brook, IL.(Air & Water Management Association)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2005... The Air & Water Management Association (AWMA) will host "Diesel Exhaust: Partnering With Stakeholders to Reduce Emissions," a conference designed to provide an overview of developments in the regulatory, policy and scientific arenas, October 6...

New Report Assesses U.S. 'Clean' Vehicle Research Initiative.(hydrogen fuel usage feasibility studies)
August 8, 2005... The National Academies' National Research Council recently announced that a new report to be released this fall finds that the FreedomCar and Fuel Partnership, a research collaboration among the Department of Energy (DOE), the Big Three...

O2Diesel Appoints New President and Chief Operating Officer.(Rick Roger)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2005... O2Diesel recently announced that Rick Roger has joined the company as its new president and chief operating officer. According to O2Diesel, Roger comes to the company from Performance Transportation Services, Inc. (PTS), a transportation...

CCA Appoints Advanced Power as Manufacturer's Representative.(Combustion Components Associates)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2005... Pollution control technology company Combustion Components Associates (CCA) recently announced that it has appointed Advanced Power Technology, Inc. to serve as manufacturer's representative for its ELIM-NOx selective catalytic reduction (SCR)...

CVEF to Host Natural Gas Vehicle Conference in CA.(Clean Vehicle Education Foundation)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2005... The Clean Vehicle Education Foundation (CVEF) will host the 23rd National NGV Conference, the theme of which is "Strategies for Sustainability: NGVs in the New Paradigm," on October 5 and 6 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, CA. San...

President Bush Signs Energy Bill Into Law.
August 10, 2005... U.S. President George Bush signed into law on Monday the Energy Policy Act of 2005, comprehensive legislation designed to encourage energy efficiency and conservation, promote alternative and renewable energy sources, reduce U.S. dependence on...

Clean Diesel Technologies Appoints New VP, CTO.(Walter Copan)(Brief Article)
August 10, 2005... Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. (CDT), a developer of technological and chemical solutions for engine emission reductions, recently appointed Walter Copan to the position of vice president and chief technology officer (CTO). According to...

Portland to Test Replacement of Fleet With Shared Vehicles.(Portland's Bureau of General Services)(Brief Article)
August 10, 2005... The Oregonian reported last week that Portland's Bureau of General Services (BGS) has partnered with Seattle, WA-based car sharing company Flexcar to replace the 16 sedans in BGS' motor pool with shared vehicles. According to the Oregonian, the...

Companies Settle With ARB for Selling Non-compliant RVs.(Air Resources Board, recreational vehicle)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2005... The California Air Resources Board (ARB) recently announced that recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer Forest River, Inc. and RV dealership La Mesa RV have settled with the board for $345,000 for selling new motor homes to California residents...

O2Diesel Announces New CityHome Program Co-sponsor.(Lincoln Way Energy)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2005... O2Diesel Corporation recently announced that Nevada, IA-based Lincoln Way Energy has signed on as a co-sponsor of the CityHome program in Des Moines, IA, set to commence in September. "[The CityHome program] demonstrates the role ethanol...

Methanex's MTBE-related Claim Denied by Trade Tribunal.(methyl tertiary butyl ether)(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that an international trade panel has rejected Methanex Corporation's 1999 claim related to the 2004 ban on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in California, although Department of State spokesperson...

AEC Signs Technical Agreement With FAW Dalian Diesel Engine.(Advanced Engine Components)(FAW Dalian Diesel Engine Company, Ltd)(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... Advanced Engine Components' (AEC) Beijing division recently signed a technical agreement with FAW Dalian Diesel Engine Company, Ltd., the engine manufacturing division of China First Auto Works Group Corporation, to develop a Euro 3 emissions,...

CA State Senator Unveils New Clean-burning School Buses.(retrofit technology for school buses emission reduction)(Brief Article)
August 12, 2005... The California State Senate Democratic Caucus recently announced that state senator Dean Florez attended a ceremony in Fresno, CA earlier this week to unveil clean-burning buses and promote a $25-million effort to update the state's school bus...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
August 12, 2005... AIR QUALITY V CONFERENCE: MERCURY, TRACE ELEMENTS, SO3 AND PARTICULATE MATTER, September 19-21, 2005, Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, VA AMERICAN FILTRATION AND SEPARATIONS SOCIETY (AFS) 2005 INTERNATIONAL TOPICAL CONFERENCE &...

Single-occupant 'Clean' Vehicles Okayed for CA Carpool Lane Use.(Brief Article)
August 15, 2005... The California Air Resources Board (ARB) recently released a list of vehicles that comply with the new state law allowing single-occupant drivers in "highly fuel-efficient," low-emission vehicles to use carpool lanes. According to ARB,...

CHS Produces Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Ahead of Deadline.(Brief Article)
August 15, 2005... Laurel, MT-based CHS, Inc. recently announced the completion of a project making it the first refiner in Montana -- and one of the first in the U.S. -- to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel that complies with federal regulations. ...

New Report Reveals Growing Vehicular CO2 Emissions.(Carbon dioxide)(Brief Article)
August 15, 2005... Environmental Defense recently announced the release of a new report, titled "Automakers' Corporate Carbon Burdens," which finds that "despite growing concern over global warming, major automakers still pursue product strategies that make the...

Catalytica Reports Second-quarter Financial Results.(Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2005... Gilbert, AZ-based emissions solutions provider Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. recently announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, reporting a quarterly net loss of $3.5 million, or 19 cents per share, compared to a...

Bay Area's City CarShare Looks to Expand.(Rick Hutchinson appointed as chief executive officer)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2005... The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that the nonprofit ride-sharing organization City CarShare has opened two new locations at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations in Berkeley and Oakland. According to the Chronicle, City...

Canada Considers Tax Rebate for Commuters.(mass transit tax rebate)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2005... The Canadian Press (CP) reported last week that the country's Conservative party has introduced a new plan that would provide a 16-percent federal income tax rebate to commuters that use mass transit. According to the news service,...

Zipcar Expands Services Into San Fransisco.(Brief Article)
August 17, 2005... Zipcar recently announced that it will expand its alternative by-the-hour or by-the-day car-providing service into San Fransisco, anticipating a September 1 launch. Zipcar said every new account in San Fransisco, each of which will cost...

UQM Lands Contract for Advanced Traction Motor Work.(UQM Technologies, Inc)(Brief Article)
August 17, 2005... UQM Technologies, Inc. recently announced that it has been awarded a contract to develop an advanced traction motor for the Department of Energy's (DOE) FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program, which supports the goals of the private/public...

ACEEE Estimates New Light-duty Diesel Tax Credits.(American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)(Brief Article)
August 17, 2005... The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently posted its estimates of tax credits for 31 diesel and hybrid cars and light trucks that fall under tax credit provisions of the new federal energy bill. According to...

ORYXE Energy Begins Delivery of OR-LED Additive to SemFuel.(ORYXE Energy International)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2005... ORYXE Energy International recently announced it has begun delivery of its proprietary OR-LED fuel additive to refined petroleum product wholesale distributor SemFuel. According to ORYXE Energy, SemFuel will be supplying the Houston area...

TCEQ Approves Biofriendly's Green Plus Diesel Fuel Enhancer.(Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2005... Biofriendly Corporation recently announced that its Green Plus diesel fuel enhancer has been approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as an emission-reduction solution for both on-road and off-road use. According to...

Valero Considers Use of Isooctane to Replace MTBE.(Valero Energy Corporation)(methyl tertiary butyl ether)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2005... The San Antonio Business Journal reported earlier this week that San Antonio, TX-based refiner Valero Energy Corporation has revealed it may begin using isooctane in place of the controversial fuel additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in...

GM, Bosch, Stanford Codevelop New HCCI Technology.(General Motors Corporation)(Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... General Motors Corporation (GM) recently announced it will pursue a joint effort with the Robert Bosch Corporation and Stanford University, under a three-year, $2.5-million program, to develop new engine technology to improve the efficiency and...

CDT Reports Second-quarter Financial Results.(Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc)(Brief Article)
August 19, 2005... Stamford, CT-based Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. (CDT) recently announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, reporting a quarterly net loss of $1.3 million, or seven cents per share, compared to a net loss of...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
August 19, 2005... AIR QUALITY V CONFERENCE: MERCURY, TRACE ELEMENTS, SO3 AND PARTICULATE MATTER, September 19-21, 2005, Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, VA AMERICAN FILTRATION AND SEPARATIONS SOCIETY (AFS) 2005 INTERNATIONAL TOPICAL CONFERENCE &...

EPA Says 14 Communities Have Reduced Smog Ahead of Schedule.(Brief Article)
August 22, 2005... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that 14 communities across the U.S. are ahead of schedule in the effort to reduce ground-level ozone, or smog. Due to the progress these areas have made under EPA's Early Action...

Rival to Install New CWI Technology on Diesel Locomotive.(Rival Technologies Inc.)(continuous water injection)(Brief Article)
August 22, 2005... Rival Technologies, Inc. recently announced plans to equip a diesel locomotive in Vancouver, British Columbia with a new version of continuous water injection (CWI) technology, which will be designed and installed by the company's development...

IPS Unveils VSG Controller for Marine Terminal Equipment.
August 22, 2005... Industrial Power Systems, Inc. (IPS) recently announced its introduction of a variable speed generator (VSG) controller that is designed to help reduce emissions from cargo handling equipment used in the marine terminal industry. According...

TCEQ Approves BioFriendly Diesel Fuel Enhancer for TxLED.(Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... BioFriendly Corporation recently announced that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued a notification approving the company's Green Plus diesel fuel enhancer as an alternative formulation solution when added to standard...

CPPI Official Urges Ontario to Postpone Ethanol Mandate.(Canadian Petroleum Products Institute, Faith Goodman)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... The Canadian Press (CP) recently reported that Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI) Ontario vice president Faith Goodman has requested in a letter to provincial officials that Ontario delay instituting an ethanol fuel mandate currently...

County Officials in Lincoln, NE Delay Ethanol Requirement.(Nebraska)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2005... Local Nebraska newspaper the Lincoln Journal Star recently reported that the county board in Lancaster, NE voted late last week to suspend until next month the mandated use of ethanol fuel blends in all county vehicles. According to the...

New Jersey Governor Signs Bill Enacting MTBE Ban.(Richard Codey, methyl tertiary butyl ether)(Brief Article)
August 24, 2005... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced that New Jersey governor Richard Codey signed into law late last week a ban on the sale of gasoline containing the fuel additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), making New Jersey the...

IFT Receives Order From KFTL for 34 Tons of DiesolIFT.(International Fuel Technology Inc., Kyoto Fuel Technologies Ltd.)(Brief Article)
August 24, 2005... International Fuel Technology, Inc. (IFT) recently announced it has received a commitment for an initial purchase order of 34 tons of DiesolIFT, a fuel additive that helps reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, from Kyoto Fuel Technologies Ltd....

Port of Los Angeles Lauds Program's Emissions Reductions.(Vessel Speed Reduction Program)(Brief Article)
August 24, 2005... The Port of Los Angeles recently announced that its voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP) -- implemented in 2001 -- eliminated more than 100 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions during the first quarter of this year. According to the...

New ExxonMobil Facility to Produce Low-sulfur Fuels.(ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, Air Products and Chemicals Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 25, 2005... Lehigh Valley, PA-based Air Products recently announced it has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil Oil Corporation to build, own and operate an 18-million-standard-cubic-feet-per-day hydrogen facility adjacent to the ExxonMobil Joliet Refinery...

FOE Cymru Criticizes Study of New Flights' Impact in Wales.(Friends of the Earth)(Western Mail)(Brief Article)
August 25, 2005... Welsh newspaper Western Mail recently reported that Friends of the Earth (FOE) Cymru has condemned a new report, obtained by the newspaper, which evaluates the environmental impact of two new daily flights between the island of Anglesey and the...

Atlanta Public Schools Embarks on Clean School Bus Initiative.(Georgia-Pacific Corporation)(Environmental Protection Agency)(Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division of Georgia)(Brief Article)
August 25, 2005... Georgia-Pacific Corporation recently announced it has arranged for a $3.6-million environmental fund with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help Atlanta Public Schools...

DOT Unveils New Fuel Economy Plan for Light Trucks.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Norman Mineta recently announced a new plan to reform the government's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program for light trucks, which is expected to save 10 billion gallons of gasoline in the...

PA Launches Alternative Fuel, Hybrid Vehicle Pilot Program.(Brief Article)
August 26, 2005... Pennsylvania governor Edward Rendell launched earlier this week a pilot project to explore the use of alternative fuel vehicles among the state fleet in an effort to help reduce area pollution and lessen state dependence on foreign oil. ...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 26, 2005... AIR QUALITY V CONFERENCE: MERCURY, TRACE ELEMENTS, SO3 AND PARTICULATE MATTER, September 19-21, 2005, Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, VA AMERICAN FILTRATION AND SEPARATIONS SOCIETY (AFS) 2005 INTERNATIONAL TOPICAL CONFERENCE &...

New British Study Finds Diesel Fumes Endangering Cyclists.(Brief Article)
August 29, 2005... U.K. newspaper The Sunday Times recently reported that the results of a study conducted by the British Heart Foundation indicate that city bicyclists' exposure to diesel exhaust puts them at a greater risk of developing heart disease. ...

EPA Awards Grants to Curb Diesel Emissions in Western U.S.(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
August 29, 2005... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $1.4 million in grants to projects conducted through the West Coast Collaborative, a public/private effort in the western U.S., Canada and Mexico aimed at reducing diesel engine...

UAW, Activists Join in Effort to Promote Green Cars.(United Auto Workers)(Brief Article)
August 29, 2005... National student leaders representing the Jumpstart Ford campaign and the Road to Detroit tour recently delivered "keys to the future," a pair of oversized engraved keys representing green car purchase pledges collected by Road to Detroit...

ARB Chair Voices Objection to NHTSA CAFE Statements.(California Air Resources Board)(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)(Corporate Average Fuel Economy)(Brief Article)
August 30, 2005... California Air Resources Board (ARB) chair Cindy Tuck recently voiced objection to statements made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which assert that states do not have the authority to adopt motor vehicle standards...

Cummins, Scania to Jointly Produce New Fuel Systems.(Brief Article)
August 30, 2005... Cummins, Inc. recently announced it has signed a joint venture agreement with Scania CV AB for the production of "next-generation" XPI common rail fuel systems for heavy-duty, on-highway trucks. According to Cummins, the 50-50 joint...

Speedemissions Reports Second-quarter Financial Results.(Speedemissions, Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 30, 2005... Atlanta, GA-based vehicle emissions and safety inspection testing company Speedemissions, Inc. recently announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005, reporting a quarterly net loss of $465,000, compared to a net...

Caterpillar Manager Appointed to EPA Committee.
August 31, 2005... Caterpillar, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Caterpillar Large Power Systems Division general manager of engineering John Campbell to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). ...

ACEEE Criticizes NHTSA's Proposed Fuel Economy Changes.(American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2005... The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently criticized the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) proposed changes to U.S. passenger truck fuel economy standards as "[falling] far short of a solution...

ArvinMeritor's LVS Forms Joint Venture With Korea's DongWon.
August 31, 2005... ArvinMeritor, Inc. recently announced that its Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group has formed a joint venture with Korea's DongWon Precision Industrial Company, Ltd. According to ArvinMeritor, the joint venture, to be known as AD...