Mobile Emissions Today articles from March 2004

Mobile Emissions Today archives from March 2004

ACI-NA Criticizes CAEP for Lack of Support.(Airports Council International-North America ,)(Committee Aviation on Environmental Protection's)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In light of the International Civil Aviation Organization Committee Aviation on Environmental Protection's (CAEP) adoption of a new certification limit for NOx emissions and development of market-based measures to mitigate air quality...

Proposed MN ULSD Plant Open to Public Comment.(ultra-low sulfur diesel)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Minnesota Sun recently reported that Flint Hills Resources, LP is seeking public comment on an environmental review for a proposed ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) plant, to be located at Flint Hills' Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount. ...

Competitive Technologies Signs Agreement With Pure Energy.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Fairfield, CT-based technology transfer and licensing provider Competitive Technologies, Inc. (CTT) recently announced it has signed an agreement with Paramus, NJ-based Pure Energy Corporation (PEC), a leader in engineered alternative fuel...

Mirenco, TARC Sign New Consulting Agreement.(Transit Authority of River City)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... Mirenco, Inc. recently announced that the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) in Louisville, KY has signed a consultative service contract for its entire metro diesel bus fleet, which includes identifying those vehicles requiring the...

SwRI Launches Third Year of DASL/N-TCD Consortium.(Diesel Aftertreatment Sensitivity to Lubricants, Non-Thermal Catalyst Deactivation )(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) recently invited interested companies to join the Diesel Aftertreatment Sensitivity to Lubricants, Non-Thermal Catalyst Deactivation (DASL/N-TCD) consortium for its third year, beginning March 18. ...

NY Awards Grants for Public Transportation Initiatives.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2004... New York governor George Pataki recently announced that $14 million in Statewide Transit Capital grants from the State Transit Dedicated Fund will be provided to help local agencies fund a variety of public transportation initiatives, including...

PA Begins Emissions Testing in Three Counties.(Brief Article)
March 3, 2004... The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in conjunction with the state Department of Environmental Protection recently announced it has begun annual emissions testing in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Lycoming counties for "most...

Munters Receives Contracts for Marine Diesel Emission Control.(Oresundsvarvet. )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2004... Munters recently announced it has received two separate contracts, worth a total of 16 million kroner (about $2.2 million), to provide its selective catalytic reduction (SCR) converter systems to Jinling Shipyard and Oresundsvarvet. ...

Car-sharing Initiative Reports Growth in Singapore.(Brief Article)
March 3, 2004... The Straits Times recently reported that Singapore's Honda Diracc, a car-sharing program launched in 2002, has acquired 600 members and now offers 50 hybrid electric Honda Civics. According to the paper, the three-year Honda Diracc...

Port of Los Angeles to Fuel Fleet With ULSD.(The Jankovich Company)(ultra-low sulfur diesel )(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The Port of Los Angeles recently announced it has reached an agreement with marine vessel fuel supplier The Jankovich Company to fuel its marine fleet with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Delivered by Jankovich, the Port of Los Angeles...

Mercedes-Benz to Offer Diesel Sedan in U.S. Market.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Automotive industry officials recently reported that Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce the diesel-powered E320 CDI sedan to the U.S. market this spring. According to officials, the automaker said the E320 CDI, which is equipped with an...

EPA Offers Final Version of Vehicle Emissions Computer Model.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the introduction of the final version of its MOBILE6.2 computer model, which predicts air pollution emissions from cars, trucks and motorcycles. According to EPA, the new model...

German Official Requests Limits for Diesel Particle Emissions.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... Reuters recently reported that German environment minister Juergen Trittin has made a request for the implementation of limits on vehicular diesel particle emissions in the European Union (EU) by 2010. According to Reuters, Trittin said...

Many South Yorkshire Vehicles Fail Emissions Tests.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2004... Local U.K. newspaper Sheffield Today recently reported that testing conducted by the South Yorkshire Vehicle Emissions Testing Partnership (SYVET) revealed that as many as one in six vehicles in the regions of Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 5, 2004... NATIONAL AFV DAY ODYSSEY: SHOWCASING CLEANER CHOICES IN TRANSPORTATION, April 2, 2004, multiple U.S. locations WEST COAST REGION CONFERENCE ON MARINE PORT AIR QUALITY IMPACTS, April 21-22, 2004, Embassy Suites Hotel, Seattle-Tacoma...

O2Diesel Announces Delivery Agreement With Silvas Oil.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... Newark, DE-based O2Diesel "a leading provider of ethanol-diesel technologies," recently announced it has reached a delivery agreement with Fresno, CA-based gasoline distributor Silvas Oil Company, Inc. to provide O2Diesel's fuel technology for...

Donaldson Commissions New Engine Test Cells.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... Trucking industry officials recently reported that Minneapolis, MN-based filtration systems and replacement parts provider Donaldson Company, Inc. has announced commissioning of "several" new engine test cells for the validation of emissions...

Australian Car-sharing Firm Doubles Membership.(Brief Article)
March 8, 2004... Local officials in Australia recently reported that Newtown CarShare has "doubled" its membership since last year's Christmas season. According to officials, Newtown CarShare director Bruce Jeffreys said he believes the increased...

EPA Releases Highway Diesel Progress Review.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the release of the Highway Diesel Progress Review, Report 2, which indicates that engine manufacturers are "on target" to introduce new cleaner diesel engines in 2007. According...

RFA Criticizes New Hampshire's RFG Opt-out Request.
March 9, 2004... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently announced its submission of official comments to the EPA regarding the proposed approval of a request by the state of New Hampshire to "opt-out" of the Clean Air Act's reformulated gasoline (RFG)...

CTE Reports Success of CarShare Atlanta Program.(Brief Article)
March 9, 2004... The Atlanta, GA-based Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) recently reported that CarShare Atlanta, a partnership of CTE, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), Emory University and Georgia Power, has trained more...

ESW Completes Testing of Particulate Reactor DOC.(diesel oxidation converter)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... Environmental Solutions Worldwide, Inc. (ESW) recently announced the successful completion of a comprehensive testing program to validate and verify the performance of its Particulate Reactor high-performance diesel oxidation converter (DOC)....

EST Announces New PowerShift and CleanUp Grant Levels.(Energy Saving Trust )(Brief Article)
March 10, 2004... The U.K.'s Energy Saving Trust (EST) recently announced new grant levels for its TransportEnergy PowerShift, a program that "aims to create the conditions for clean fuel vehicles to be practically and economically viable," and TransportEnergy...

CT DMV Removes Emissions Test Station for Fraudulent Activity.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recently announced the removal of the first state emissions test station for alleged fraudulent activity. According to the department, Lemans 24 Citgo, Inc. in Greenwich, CT, was removed...

HydrogenSource Develops Compact Diesel Reformer.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... HydrogenSource, LLC, a "leading developer of fuel processing systems," recently announced the development of a compact diesel reformer that could enable diesel engines to meet future requirements for reduced nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. ...

Speedemissions Acquires 12 Additional Test Stations.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2004... Atlanta, GA-based vehicle emissions testing and safety inspection company Speedemissions, Inc. recently acquired 12 new testing stores, bringing the company's total to 17. According to Speedemissions, the new stores were purchased with the...

AZ Governor Considers Elimination of MTBE Use in Phoenix.(Brief Article)
March 12, 2004... The Phoenix Business Journal recently reported that Arizona governor Janet Napolitano has directed the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to consider how eliminating the use of the fuel additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)...

ESDC Commissions Engine Exhaust Emissions Facility.(Engine Systems Development Centre, Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 12, 2004... Lachine, Quebec-based Engine Systems Development Centre, Inc. (ESDC) recently announced it has commissioned its emissions laboratory for locomotive and medium-speed diesel engine emissions measurements. According to ESDC, the facility...

Official Cites Pakistan's High Level of Vehicular Pollution.(Brief Article)
March 12, 2004... Local officials in Pakistan recently reported that while attending a national consultative meeting on the reduction of vehicular emissions in Islamabad last week, Enercon managing director M. Zubair revealed that vehicular emission levels in...

IL Governor Offers Series of Clean School Bus Workshops.(Brief Article)
March 12, 2004... Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich recently announced a series of "clean school bus" workshops to be held throughout the state aimed at providing additional information to Illinois school officials on reducing emissions from diesel-powered...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 12, 2004... NATIONAL AFV DAY ODYSSEY: SHOWCASING CLEANER CHOICES IN TRANSPORTATION, April 2, 2004, multiple U.S. locations WEST COAST REGION CONFERENCE ON MARINE PORT AIR QUALITY IMPACTS, April 21-22, 2004, Embassy Suites Hotel, Seattle-Tacoma...

EPA Reaches $1.4-million Enforcement Settlement With MBTA.(Brief Article)
March 15, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), together with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Attorney's Office, recently announced a $1.4-million enforcement settlement with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). ...

FOE Seeks U.K. Road Tax Increase for Polluting Vehicles.(Brief Article)
March 15, 2004... Friends of the Earth (FOE) has issued a call for the British government to increase the road tax on the highest polluting cars in its upcoming budget. FOE noted that the current tax structure allows the owner of a Ferrari 456M GTA 2+2 to...

PIRG Says Southeast Leads Nation in Vehicular Pollution.(Public Interest Research Group)(Brief Article)
March 15, 2004... The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) recently announced the release of a new report, titled "More Highways, More Pollution," which reveals that cities in the southeast rank highest in the nation for air pollution from vehicles, with...

Environmental Groups Challenge Methanex's MTBE Lawsuit.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2004... Earthjustice recently announced that a coalition of environmental groups has voiced opposition to Vancouver, BC-based Methanex Corporation's $970-million lawsuit challenging California's ban on MTBE under NAFTA rules. The groups, which...

Nissan Requests Exemption From U.S. Fuel Economy Rule.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2004... The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. has submitted a request for exemption from a U.S. fuel efficiency rule which mandates that a foreign automaker's imported and locally produced fleets must both meet a...

New Emissions Center in Beijing to Test Local Vehicles.(Brief Article)
March 16, 2004... China's Business Daily Update recently reported the creation of a new emissions inspection center in Beijing designed to help reduce the city's air pollution. According to Business Daily Update, the Beijing Automobile Emissions Inspection...

DDC to Utilize EGR, Diesel Particulate Filters in Engines.(Detroit Diesel Corporation Series 60)(Mercedes-Benz engines)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2004... Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) recently announced a decision to utilize exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel particulate filters in its heavy-duty engines in order to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2007 emissions...

Fresno Buses Employ Diesel Alternative.(O2Diesel Corporation.)(Brief Article)
March 17, 2004... Buses in the Fresno Area Express fleet are now operating on ethanol-blended diesel fuel from Newark, DE-based O2Diesel Corporation. According to O2Diesel, the ethanol-blended fuel, which received alternative diesel verification from the...

Canadian Officials Disagree on Emissions Reduction Approach.(Brief Article)
March 17, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Canadian environment minister David Anderson told the news service last week that the government may consider imposing mandatory fuel economy standards on DaimlerChrsyler AG, Ford Motor Company and General Motors...

ME Legislative Committee Recommends MTBE Ban.(Maine)(Brief Article)
March 18, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the Maine legislature's Natural Resources Committee last week unanimously recommended passage of a bill sponsored by state representative Peter Rines (D-Wiscasset) to ban the retail sale of fuel...

DOE Catoosa GTL Plant Makes First Clean Fuel Shipment.
March 18, 2004... The Catoosa GTL Demonstration Facility, a gas-to-liquids demonstration plant funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), Syntroleum Corporation and Marathon Oil Company, recently made its first shipment of diesel fuel. The $60-million plant...

Singapore to Introduce Euro-IV Emissions Standards.(Brief Article)
March 18, 2004... Reuters recently reported that the Singapore National Environment Agency has announced plans to introduce Euro-IV vehicular emissions standards in the country by October 2006. According to Reuters, the agency said the Euro-IV standards...

NM to Provide Tax Abatement for Fuel-efficient Vehicles.(Brief Article)
March 19, 2004... New Mexico governor Bill Richardson recently signed into law Senate Bill 86, which calls for the establishment of an excise tax abatement program for drivers who purchase new fuel-efficient vehicles. "We're going to encourage people to use...

Flexcar, WMATA Increase DC Metro Area Fleet Size.(Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority)(Brief Article)
March 19, 2004... Seattle, WA-based car-sharing company Flexcar recently announced an almost 50-percent increase to the size of its vehicle fleet, with the company set to add 46 new Honda Civic and Honda Civic Hybrid sedans, Honda Elements and Ford Ranger pickup...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 19, 2004... NATIONAL AFV DAY ODYSSEY: SHOWCASING CLEANER CHOICES IN TRANSPORTATION, April 2, 2004, multiple U.S. locations NESEA GREEN CAR CLUB SPRING BRAKE, April 10, 2004, Tri-County Toyota, Limmerick, PA WEST COAST REGION CONFERENCE ON MARINE...

KleenAir Announces OEM Deal in China for Catalytic Converters.(Brief Article)
March 22, 2004... KleenAir Systems, Inc. recently announced it has concluded a three-year, $10-million agreement with Wuhu Keyue Enterprise Development Company, Ltd. of Anhui Province, China to supply three-way catalytic converters for its OEM customers. ...

SwRI, AVL-PEI Partner on EPA Contract.(Southwest Research Institute)(Brief Article)
March 22, 2004... Through a five-year contract with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) will support the development of "advanced, affordable, clean and fuel-efficient automotive technology." SwRI will partner...

New AirCare Website Offers Used Vehicle Emission Data.(Brief Article)
March 22, 2004... British Columbia's AirCare program now offers detailed emissions test and odometer information on used vehicles through its enhanced website, located at http://www.aircare.ca. According to AirCare, the information is available to provincial...

Permo-Drive Receives Grant to Test Hybrid Hydraulic Vehicles.(Brief Article)
March 22, 2004... Australia's Permo-Drive Technologies, Ltd. recently announced it has been awarded a $1.6-million grant from the U.S. Army to perform engineering qualification tests on hybrid hydraulic vehicles as part of the Army's exploration of hybrid...

Flexcar to Launch Pilot Program in Arlington, VA.(Virginia)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2004... Flexcar recently announced plans to partner with Arlington County, VA to launch the Arlington Carshare Pilot Project Program. Under the program, Flexcar said qualified county residents or those working in the county will be able to join the...

Mazda to Issue Vehicle Recall to Fix Emissions Filters.(Mazda Motor Corporation)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2004... Kyodo News International recently reported that Mazda Motor Corporation has announced plans to issue a recall for Bongo trucks, Bongo Brawny vans, Delica vans and Vanette vans manufactured between December 2003 to February 2004 in order to fix...

IEA Report Notes Growth in Transport Oil Demand.(International Energy Agency)(Brief Article)
March 23, 2004... The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently announced the release of "Oil Crises and Climate Challenges: 30 Years of Energy Use in IEA Countries," a new report that "examines how energy efficiency and factors such as economic structure,...

Maine Council of Churches Urges Investment in HEVs.(hybrid electric vehicles)(Brief Article)
March 24, 2004... The Central Maine Daily Sentinel recently reported that the Maine Council of Churches has produced a report titled "What Should the Government Drive?," which calls on the state government to have 30 percent of its vehicle fleet consist of...

MDI Works to Develop Updated Compressed-air Car Engine.(Motor Development International (MDI))(Brief Article)
March 24, 2004... The Detroit Free Press recently reported that Luxembourg-based Motor Development International (MDI) is currently working to update its compressed-air car engine through the inclusion of an external combustion chamber. According to the...

EERE, GCCCC to Host 10th National Clean Cities Conference.(Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition)
March 24, 2004... The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition will host the "10th National Clean Cities Conference and Expo" May 2 through 5 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward...

Local PA Water Authority Files Preemptive MTBE Suit.(Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)(Shell company)(Pennsylvania)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2004... Local Pennsylvania newspaper The Intelligencer recently reported that the Northampton Township Water and Sewer Authority in Bucks County, PA has filed a preemptive lawsuit in the county court against such major oil companies as Exxon and Shell...

CRF Researchers Demonstrate Emissions Measuring Technique.(Combustion Research Facility)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2004... Researchers with Sandia National Laboratories' Combustion Research Facility (CRF) have successfully demonstrated a technique for measuring "real-world" vehicle particulate emissions during actual driving conditions. According to Sandia,...

Honda to Produce Fuel-efficient Cars in Thailand.(Honda Motor Company)(Brief Article)
March 25, 2004... Thai Press Reports recently reported that Honda Motor Company has announced plans to begin manufacturing fuel-efficient compact cars in the country. According to the news service, Thai vice minister of industry Vatchara Panchet said Honda...

Attorneys General Support Challenge to Mexican Truck Ruling.(Brief Article)
March 26, 2004... The attorneys general of California, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin recently announced the filing of an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting a challenge to the Bush...

NESEA Green Car Club to Host 'Spring Brake' in PA.(Northeast Sustainable Energy Association)(Brief Article)
March 26, 2004... The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's (NESEA) Green Car Club will host "Spring Brake," its inaugural event for owners and enthusiasts of environmentally friendly vehicles, April 10 in Boyertown, PA. According to NESEA, "dozens" of...

EPA Presents 4th Annual Clean Air Excellence Awards.(Brief Article)
March 26, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the presentation of its fourth annual Clean Air Excellence Awards during a ceremony held earlier this week in Washington, DC. According to EPA, the 13 honorees included Networkcar...

Weekly Update.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 26, 2004... NATIONAL AFV DAY ODYSSEY: SHOWCASING CLEANER CHOICES IN TRANSPORTATION, April 2, 2004, multiple U.S. locations NESEA GREEN CAR CLUB SPRING BRAKE, April 10, 2004, Tri-County Toyota, Limmerick, PA WEST COAST REGION CONFERENCE ON MARINE...

EPA Seeks Comments on Gas Mileage Procedures.(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
March 29, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that, in response to a petition submitted by environmental organization Bluewater Network, it is seeking public comments on its testing procedures for determining gas mileage...

FOE Criticizes Approval of London Bridge Project.(Friends of the Earth)(Brief Article)
March 29, 2004... Friends of the Earth (FOE) recently criticized Transport for London's approval of a new bridge across the Thames River, arguing that a full environmental impact assessment has yet to be completed. "This new bridge will bring little to the...

New PPI Report Suggests How to Reduce Vehicle Emissions.(Brief Article)
March 29, 2004... The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) recently released a new report, titled "Clean Cars: Kicking America's Oil Habit," which offers recommendations for "accelerating the use of newer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient technologies." ...

ME Governor Signs Order to Reduce Emissions From State Fleets.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2004... Maine governor John Baldacci recently signed an executive order designed to reduce emissions from state fleet vehicles. According to government officials, the executive order directs state departments and agencies to improve the overall...

Local NY Town Works to Reduce Diesel School Bus Emissions.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2004... Local New York newspaper the Times Union recently reported that a group of parents in the town of Bethlehem in Albany, NY, are lobbying the Bethlehem Central School District to limit diesel school bus emissions in an effort to improve both the...

Maine Senate Approves MTBE Ban.(methyl tertiary butyl ether)(Brief Article)
March 31, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the Maine Senate has approved a measure banning the sale of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), which has been linked to cases of groundwater contamination in the state. ...

EPA Denies CPA's Request to Use High-volatility Fuel.(Environmental Protection Agency, Colorado Petroleum Association )(Brief Article)
March 31, 2004... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced its denial of the Colorado Petroleum Association's (CPA) request to allow use of gasoline with a volatility rating that exceeds Clean Air Act and EPA regulations in the Denver...

Report Finds New Cars Emitting Less CO2.(carbon dioxide)(Brief Article)
March 31, 2004... A new report from the U.K.'s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd. (SMMT) has found that the average new car sold last year emitted 9.3 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than models registered in 1997. The report, titled "U.K....