Mobile Emissions Today articles from February 2004

Mobile Emissions Today archives from February 2004

NJ Governor Passes Clean Cars Act.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... State officials in New Jersey recently reported the enactment of the Clean Cars Act, which is to bring the state in line with California vehicle emissions standards. According to officials, the act allows until 2009 for the state's...

Schumer Urges EPA to Exempt New York From Ethanol Mandate.(Charles E. Schumer)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) recently urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to exempt New York from having to use ethanol to reformulate its gasoline, releasing a report indicating that the requirement could result in state gas...

DaimlerChrysler Offers 'Ultra-clean' Passenger Cars.(Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2004... DaimlerChrysler recently announced it has begun production of model year 2004 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans designed to meet California clean air standards. Equipped with 2.4-Liter I-4 engines, DaimlerChrysler said all 2004...

WY Agency Says Snowmobile Ban Would Cost Jobs.(Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2004... Officials with the U.S. House Resources Committee recently announced that representatives from the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources have testified before a federal judge with a claim that a ban on snowmobiles in...

Bush Proposes More Funding for Clean School Bus USA.(George W. Bush)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2004... The EPA recently reported that the Bush administration's proposed budget for 2005 calls for an increase in funding for the Clean School Bus USA program, raising its budget from $5 million to $65 million. According to EPA, the proposed...

DOE Invests in Truck Idling Emissions Reduction.(United States. Department of Energy)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2004... The Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity recently it has awarded grants to Caterpillar, Inc. and Schneider National, Inc. for investigation into technologies that would reduce truck idling. According to DOE, the...

Schwarzenegger Urges EPA to Grant Oxygenate Waiver to CA.(Arnold Schwarzenegger)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2004... California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter last week to EPA administrator Mike Leavitt urging the EPA to "approve California's request for waiver of the federal minimum oxygen requirement in gasoline." "My administration is...

PennDOT Implements Local Vehicle Emissions Inspections.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently joined with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to implement federally mandated vehicle emissions inspections in Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties beginning...

Judge Orders KY Locality to Plan for Relaunch of Emissions Tests.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... Local officials in Louisville, KY recently reported that U.S. District judge John Heyburn has issued a court order requiring the Louisville Air Pollution Control District to develop a proposal to relaunch the region's vehicle emissions testing...

Toronto Council Reports on Local Clean Air Initiatives.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2004... The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Clean Air Council recently announced the release of a new report on the "more then 100 cleaner-air initiatives undertaken in Toronto since the original Smog Summit in 2000." According to GTA, "special"...

Isuzu Engine Meets EPA Emissions Requirements.(Isuzu Motors America Inc.)(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2004... Isuzu Motors America, Inc. recently announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the Isuzu 3.5-liter direct-injection gasoline V6 as "one of the first engines that meet the EPA's tough new Tier 2, Bin 5 emissions...

CDT Tests Emissions-reduction Capabilities of Biodiesel Blend.(Clean Diesel Technologies Inc.)(Cleaner Burning Biodiesel)(Brief Article)
February 5, 2004... Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. (CDT) recently announced that results of testing of its new "Cleaner Burning Biodiesel" fuel blend produced emissions reductions of 23 percent particulates and five percent NOx compared to standard on-highway...

Flexcar Expands Operations in Los Angeles Region.(Brief Article)
February 5, 2004... Seattle, WA-based car-sharing company Flexcar recently announced it has expanded its operations within the Los Angeles area to cover the UCLA campus, as well as appointed a new regional office general manager and introduced nearly 20 new...

ME DEP Rejects Request for Emissions Standards Exemption.(Department of Environmental Protection, Maine )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2004... State officials in Maine recently reported that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has opposed a petition brought to DEP's Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) last October requesting an exemption for diesel versions of...

U.K. Drops Proposal for Vehicle Labeling.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2004... U.K. publication the Independent recently reported that during a Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership meeting last week, government officials decided to abandon a proposal calling for the introduction of a color-coded vehicle labeling scheme that...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 6, 2004... AUTOMOTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES, February 18-19, 2004, The Grand, Amsterdam 4TH ANNUAL CLEAN HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES CONFERENCE, February 25-27, 2004, Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Rancho Mirage, CA THE ENERGY EXCHANGE'S ANNUAL GLOBAL...

Saybolt VP Imprisoned for Falsifying Reformulated Gas Data.(The Department of Justice)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that Thomas Hayes, former vice president of Western Hemisphere operations of Saybolt, Inc. has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for conspiring to violate the federal Clean Air Act, make...

AFS Trinity Receives Additional Funding to Help Reduce Emissions.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... AFS Trinity Power Corporation recently announced that its hybrid bus and truck program aimed at reducing particulate emissions by 90 percent has received an additional $1-million government award. The company said its new, flywheel-based hybrid...

European Researchers Develop NOx-absorbing Paint.(nitrogen oxide)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... South African newspaper The Cape Times recently reported the development of "Ecopaint, a new substance capable of absorbing vehicular nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions for use on buildings. According to the publication, the Ecopaint, scheduled...

Watchdog Groups Applaud Yellowstone's Snowmobile Phaseout.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2004... Conservation and public health organizations, including the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and Womens Voices for the Earth, recently applauded Yellowstone National Park's improving environmental and health conditions as a result of a snowmobile...

SwRI Launches Clean Diesel IV Consortium.(Southwest Research Institute)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2004... The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) recently announced the launch of Clean Diesel IV, its fourth cooperative research program to reduce diesel engine emissions, Clean Diesel IV. According to SwRI, the four-year program currently...

Eaton, IdleAire Partnership Reduces Diesel Emissions.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2004... Cleveland-OH based diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation recently announced that its strategic partnership with IdleAire Technologies has "helped the trucking industry improve air quality across America by reducing diesel...

Andhra Pradesh Proposes Emissions Standards Enforcement.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2004... The Times of India recently reported that the Andhra Pradesh Transport Department has prepared a draft order for treating drivers of those vehicles found in violation of the Bharat Stage II emissions standards outlined in a Calcutta High Court...

UPS Joins EPA's 'SmartWay Transport' Program.(United Parcel Service, Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2004... United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) recently announced it has joined the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "SmartWay Transport" program to reduce vehicular greenhouse gas emissions. According to UPS, its participation in the SmartWay...

DOJ, EPA Reach Clean Air Settlement With MA Power Plant.(The Department of Justice Exelon Mystic, LLC)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2004... The Department of Justice (DOJ) and EPA recently announced they have reached a $6-million enforcement case settlement with Exelon Mystic, LLC over air quality violations at the Mystic Station power plant in Everett, MA, that will result in...

ACEEE Names HEVs Among 'Greenest' 2004 Vehicle Models.(The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2004... The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently announced its list of the "greenest" vehicles of model year 2004 as part of its seventh annual Green Book Online, a Web-based resource that gives a "green score" to all...

MIT Student Group Advocates 'Walking School Bus' Program.(Massachusetts Institute of Technology )(Brief Article)
February 11, 2004... The Boston Globe recently reported that a group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently developed the idea of a "walking school bus" program for local children living within one mile of their schools in an effort...

SCAG Report Gives Southern CA Poor Air Quality Marks.(Southern California Association of Governments)(Brief Article)
February 12, 2004... The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) recently announced the release of a new State of the Region report, which rates the six-county SCAG region in its performance in seven categories including transportation and air...

ACEEE Praises EPA for SmartWay Initiative.(American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)(Brief Article)
February 12, 2004... The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently welcomed the launch of the EPA's new SmartWay Transport Partnership aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated by major shippers and carriers. "If the program...

Winter Wildlands to Protest Federal Snowmobile Ruling.(Winter Wildlands Alliance)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2004... Winter Wildlands Alliance, a national organization working to "protect a quality human-powered winter recreation experience," recently invited members and supporters from across the U.S. to gather in Yellowstone National Park on February 14 in...

Canada Presents Awards for Most Fuel-efficient Vehicles.(EnerGuide Awards)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2004... Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) minister R. John Efford recently presented 2004 EnerGuide Awards to the manufacturers of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in nine categories at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. According to...

Advertising Campaign Depicts Bill Ford as 'Pinocchio'.(Bluewater Network)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2004... Bluewater Network recently announced it has joined more than 30 other environmental organizations in launching a national advertising campaign accusing Ford Motor Company CEO Bill Ford Jr. of "breaking his pledge of four years ago to...

UCSB Students Lobby for Car-sharing Plan.(University of California-Santa Barbara)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2004... The University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) newspaper the Daily Nexus recently reported a joint between UCSB students and Santa Barbara County to begin a car-sharing program for the campus and the neighboring Isla Vista community. ...

Weekly Update.(automotive industry events)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 13, 2004... AUTOMOTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES, February 18-19, 2004, The Grand, Amsterdam 4TH ANNUAL CLEAN HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES CONFERENCE, February 25-27, 2004, Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Rancho Mirage, CA THE ENERGY EXCHANGE'S ANNUAL GLOBAL...

MI Congressman Challenges Auto Industry to Address Efficiency.(Brief Article)
February 17, 2004... U.S. Representative John Dingell (D-MI) recently delivered a speech to the Detroit Economic Club calling on the city's automobile industry to improve the fuel economy of cars and trucks "before the government [imposes] a solution." "You...

Calgon Carbon to Use BioRemedy Microbes for MTBE Remediation.(Brief Article)
February 17, 2004... Pittsburgh, PA-based Calgon Carbon Corporation, a "global leader in services and solutions for making air and water cleaner and safer," recently announced it has completed a licensing agreement with Shell Global Solutions, Inc. that will allow...

CO City Posts Signs Suggesting Turning Off of Idling Cars.(Brief Article)
February 17, 2004... Government officials with the City of Fort Collins, CO recently announced the placement of six new signs at two local railroad crossings encouraging drivers waiting for passing trains to shut off their engines in an effort to help reduce...

Environmental Groups Request Hearing on NPS Snowmobile Use.(National Park Service)(Brief Article)
February 18, 2004... The Fund for Animals and the Bluewater Network recently filed a claim with the U.S. District Court requesting a hearing to determine whether the National Park Service (NPS) is in contempt for allowing more snowmobiles into Yellowstone National...

New Study Evaluates Use of Clean Diesel Technology.
February 18, 2004... Stanford University recently announced the publication in the January 30 issue of Geophysical Research Letters of a new study which suggests that "replacing gasoline vehicles in the U.S. with diesel vehicles -- equipped even with the most...

EC Releases Report on Vehicular CO2 Emissions.(European Commission)(Brief Article)
February 18, 2004... The European Commission (EC) recently announced the release of the "4th Annual Report on CO2 Emissions from New Cars," which reveals that CO2 emissions from new passenger cars sold in the European Union (EU) decreased by 10.8 percent between...

Environmental Review on Local MN ULSD Plan Open for Comment.(Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel)(Brief Article)
February 19, 2004... The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently announced that public comments are being accepted on an environmental review for a proposed plan by Flint Hills Resources, LP, in Rosemount, MN, to manufacture ultra-low sulfur diesel...

SwRI Develops Automated Manual Transmissions.(Southwest Research Institute)(Brief Article)
February 19, 2004... The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), in collaboration with an Asian automobile manufacturer, recently announced the development of an automated manual transmission that "merges the convenience of an automatic transmission with the fuel and...

Judge Schedules Contempt Hearing for NPS.(National Park Service)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2004... The Fund for Animals, in conjunction with the Bluewater Network, recently announced that U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan plans to issue a "show cause" order requesting an explanation from the National Park Service (NPS) as to why it...

EPA, Torvec to Determine Efficiency of Hydraulic Pump/Motor.(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2004... Rochester, NY-based automotive technology firm Torvec, Inc. recently announced it has signed an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the mechanical efficiency of the company's paradigm-shifting hydraulic...

FOE U.K. Calls for Extension of Congestion Charge.(Friends of the Earth)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2004... Friends of the Earth (FOE) U.K. recently called for an extension of the congestion charge introduced in central London last year to other parts of London and other major British cities due to the initiative's success. Since the charge's...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 20, 2004... 4TH ANNUAL CLEAN HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES CONFERENCE, February 25-27, 2004, Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Rancho Mirage, CA THE ENERGY EXCHANGE'S ANNUAL GLOBAL ALTERNATIVE FUELS FORUM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS, March 3-4, 2004, TBA, Hamburg,...

UW-Madison to Launch Car-sharing Initiative.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) Office of Transportation Services, in partnership with Community Car, recently announced plans to launch next month an on-campus car-sharing initiative. According to UW-Madison, university...

Study Demonstrates MTBE Exposure Through Dermal Route.(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the release of a new study which indicates that exposure to the fuel additive MTBE can occur through skin contact in humans, helping to expand understanding of how the body processes...

SMUD to Offer Customer Discount on Electric Mowers.(Sacramento Municipal Utility District)(Brief Article)
February 23, 2004... The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) recently announced that residential customers wanting to exchange their gasoline-powered lawnmowers for a "substantial" discount on a cleaner electric mower can sign up for the district's eighth...

MWAQC Approves Revised Air Quality Plan.(The Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee)(Brief Article)
February 24, 2004... The Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) recently announced the approval of its State Implementation Plan (SIP), a revised air quality plan that utilizes new models and improved data to provide a more accurate estimate of...

Philippine Officials Promote Use of Coconut Fuel Additive.(Brief Article)
February 24, 2004... The Baguio Sun Star recently reported that energy industry officials in the Philippines have voiced support for the use of coconut methyl ester (CME) as a diesel fuel additive to help reduce local emissions. According to the newspaper,...

Canadian MP Proposes Green Vehicle Tax Incentive.(Brief Article)
February 24, 2004... The Globe and Mail recently reported that Jim Karygiannis, the new parliamentary secretary to Canada's minister of transport, is joining with other liberal ministers of parliament in gathering automotive industry officials and environmentalists...

AWWA Urges Congress Not to Support MTBE 'Safe Harbor'.(American Water Works Association)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2004... The American Water Works Association (AWWA), in conjunction with a coalition of civic organizations and water advocates, recently urged U.S. representatives and senators to resist the oil lobby's "latest push to grant defective product...

New Study Reveals Excessive NOx Pollution in Ireland.(Nitrogen Oxide)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2004... The Belfast Telegraph recently reported that a new study compiled by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment and local council environmental health officials reveals levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emitted from the heavily travelled...

Official Says Urban Pollution in China Stems From Vehicles.(Brief Article)
February 25, 2004... Industry officials in China recently reported that while attending the International Science Forum for Environmental Friendly Autos 2004 last week in Hainan, China Association of Environmental Protection Industry chairman Wang Zuyang expressed...

Flexcar Receives $4-million Investment From Strategic Partners.(Brief Article)
February 26, 2004... Seattle, WA-based car-sharing company Flexcar recently announced it has received a $4-million investment from its strategic partners American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and Bristol Bay Native Corporation. According to the company, the...

London Garages Offer Emissions Tests at Half Price.(Brief Article)
February 26, 2004... Local officials in the U.K. recently reported that London mayor Ken Livingstone and the Association of London Government have launched a campaign in which more than 300 garages in the city will offer emissions testing at half price -- 10 pounds...

Sonex Research Hires New Company President.(Brief Article)
February 27, 2004... Annapolis, MD-based Sonex Research, Inc., a leader in the field of combustion technology that is developing a patented piston-based technology for in-cylinder control of ignition and combustion to help increase fuel mileage and reduce...

Shell Forecasts Cleaner Fuels, Not Alternatives for Future.(Brief Article)
February 27, 2004... British automotive news source Just-auto.com recently reported that Shell International European fleet manager Ann Cormack commented during the Fleet News Europe Conference 2004, stating that the preferred fuel for fleet usage in the future...

Envirotest Wins Vehicle Emissions Testing Contract Extension.(Brief Article)
February 27, 2004... Environmental Systems Products (ESP) subsidiary Envirotest recently announced it has received a four-year contract extension to operate the state of Maryland's vehicle emissions inspection program (VEIP) through July 2009. According to...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 27, 2004... THE ENERGY EXCHANGE'S ANNUAL GLOBAL ALTERNATIVE FUELS FORUM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS, March 3-4, 2004, TBA, Hamburg, Germany NATIONAL AFV DAY ODYSSEY: SHOWCASING CLEANER CHOICES IN TRANSPORTATION, April 2, 2004, multiple U.S. locations...