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Feb 15, 2014

GREEN TRUCKS * USA - Prognosis

* DC - Trucks getting 6 miles per gallon are a drain on the economy, and we can do better

(Photo by Martin Jul Nielsen: Taken in Shahri Buzurg, Afganistán)
Washington,DC,USA -EDF, by Jason Mathers -February 13, 2014: ... "In the coming months, I'll build on that success by setting new standards for our trucks, so we can keep driving down oil imports and what we pay at the pump." - 2014 State of the Union Address - The President’s commitment to new standards for trucks is welcome news, as inaction isn’t a viable option... Climate pollution from America’s heavy trucks is projected to increase by more than 130 million tons between now and 2040. That’s expected to be the largest increase in emissions from any single end-use source... The average new heavy-duty diesel truck sold last year got slightly less than six miles per gallon. Most of these trucks travel upwards of 120,000 miles and burn more than $80,000 worth of fuel per year... We have the tools today that we need to change this. We have the technology to decrease freight truck emissions. We can cut 20 percent off our current trajectories by 2030, and go much further by 2040. In fact, a recent analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy found that it’s realistic to expect new trucks to achieve something approaching a 40 percent fuel consumption reduction, compared to 2010 trucks, within the next decade...

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posted by Unknown @ 5:07 AM  0 comments

Apr 28, 2009

OPINION * USA - Trucks don't need shortcuts

Auburn,NY,USA -The Citizen/Auburn Pub, by Carole Estabrook -April 27, 2009: -- Finger Lakes region residents will have one last opportunity to officially voice their opinion as part of an ongoing effort to establish regulations that would limit long-distance truckers from using seven specific rural, upstate routes, including 41A between Homer and Skaneateles, as shortcuts... And why shouldn't people come out in support of these regulations?... Research from Cornell University has shown that long-haul truck traffic on rural roads doesn't save the trucking companies any money. In fact, studies show that rural routes slow drive time and can sometimes add as much as an hour to a trucker's journey. Even avoiding tolls doesn't compensate for an extra hour of travel, especially considering fluctuations in fuel costs... The study also addresses the literal impact that truck traffic has on state roads that were not designed to handle the weight, speed and size of these vehicles. Big rigs also pose a threat to motorists and pedestrians, as large trucks can't maneuver adequately on narrow state streets, whereas the interstate was designed to handle heavy trucks and heavy truck volume... And then there's the noise and unpleasant odors, which are mild offenses in comparison... (Photo from cnycentral.com: TRUCKER RALLEY)

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posted by Unknown @ 4:18 AM  0 comments

Sep 2, 2008

OPINION * USA - U.S. Ports Clean Up Their Act

Undoing the 'perfect storm' of maritime transport and air pollution

USA -World Trade, by James S. Cannon (*) -September 1, 2008: -- Oceangoing container ships make more than 10,000 visits to ports in the United States from around the world each year. Delivery of goods to ports and from there to U.S. consumers is powered by diesel fuel each step of the way. Diesel fuel quality ranges from notoriously filthy bunker fuel that powers ships, to lower quality grades for off-road vehicles, to lower sulfur grades recently required for on-road trucks. Burning diesel fuel releases health threatening toxic air contaminants, smog forming air pollutants, and climate changing greenhouse gases... The backbone of air pollution control efforts at U.S. container ports today is efforts to reduce emissions from diesel-powered equipment through the following steps:

• the use of newer diesel engines that pollute less;
• the installation of pollution control equipment;
• and switching to grades of diesel fuel containing lower sulfur content.

Create a Clearinghouse of Public Information about Port Clean-Up Efforts... There is a lot of information in the public domain and more attention is being focused on ports as decision makers are becoming more aware of the adverse consequences of port air pollution. Nonetheless, there remains an urgent need for a national clearinghouse of information about environmental issues at ports. This role is already being played in part by the AAPA, but its information is primarily for use by its members. Some individual ports and regulatory agencies also have excellent websites, but the information they post is mostly limited to local programs... (*) James S. Cannon is President of Energy futures, Inc., a Colorado-based consultancy in energy and related environmental issues in the transportation sector.

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posted by Unknown @ 4:44 PM  0 comments

Mar 21, 2008

OPINION: CLEAN AIR * USA - Port clean-up bound for courts?

L.A.'s plan to address truck pollution will attract lawsuits. The port should work with Long Beach to come up with a compromise proposal


Los Angeles,CA,USA -The Los Angeles Times -March 20, 2008: -- In a perfect world, the truck plan being considered today by commissioners at the Port of Los Angeles would be a good solution to the deadly problem of diesel pollution. In the real world of lawsuits and endless court proceedings, it would stall progress on cleaning the air indefinitely... Sometimes it's better to pass a legally questionable reform and fight it out in court than to back down amid lawsuit threats from opponents. This isn't one of those times. The Los Angeles plan has some advantages over Long Beach's, but they are neither so conclusive nor so meaningful that they're worth treading into a legal morass. Port pollution is responsible for an estimated 1,200 deaths a year in Southern California; people will die while lawyers argue... The split between the ports represents a tragic failure by port officials, politicians, trucking interests, community activists and environmentalists to reach a compromise that might have avoided such deadly delays. There is still a chance to speed the cleanup: The L.A. Harbor Commission should reject its staff's recommendation on the employee-trucker strategy and work with Long Beach toward a solution both ports can accept... (Video from YouTube, by kerrsydotes -September 16, 2006: "Los Angeles Tourism Video-Must See if moving here " - Whilest on a 30 or so mile bike ride Monday September 11, 2006, I arrived at the top of Topanga Canyon where I stopped to enjoy the "Wonderful View" of San Fernando Valley. I was looking for my apartment building but had a tough time seeing through the brown, acrid smog. Please consider this video testament to the air quality before you make the move to LA.)

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