Author Archives: Ronald Fagiani

Will the White House Crack Down on Gas Emissions?

Mother Jones

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This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

The White House on Friday opened the way to cutting emissions of methane from the oil and gas industry, saying it would study the magnitude of leaks of the powerful greenhouse gas.

The announcement seemed designed to please the international community—which is meeting in Yokohama to finalize a blockbuster climate report—as well as environmental groups suing to force the Obama administration to regulate the oil and gas industry.

The new strategy announced by the White House on Friday did not immediately direct the Environmental Protection Agency to begin drafting new climate regulations for the oil and gas industry.

Instead, the White House said the EPA would undertake a series of studies to determine the magnitude and prevalence of methane leaks from fracking sites, compressors, and gas pipelines.

The agency would decide by the autumn of 2014 whether to propose new controls on the industry. “In the fall, we will determine the best path forward to get reductions,” a White House official told a conference call with reporters.

If the EPA does go ahead and propose new rules, the White House official said the agency would aim to complete the process by the time Obama leaves office.

Methane—the primary component of natural gas—is more than 80 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time frame. Oil and gas sites are the biggest industrial source of methane.

The gas accounted for about 14 percent of US climate pollution in 2013, according to the EPA’s greenhouse gas inventory, and that share is expected to grow.

Environmental groups have been pressing Barack Obama for months to come up with a plan to cut methane.

Without those controls, Obama cannot meet his commitment to cut US greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels.

There are big political risks in taking on America’s powerful oil and natural gas interests.

Obama has embraced “natural gas” as part of his all-of-the-above energy strategy, arguing that the shale revolution would help move the US away from more heavily polluting coal. But there is growing evidence methane leaks are far more pervasive than originally thought.

Methane is escaping into the atmosphere from all along the supply chain—from flaring gas wells that light up the night sky in North Dakota to aging pipes in the Northeast.

A study published by the National Academy of Sciences last November found that the EPA had grossly underestimated methane releases from gas drilling.

Ninety environmental groups wrote to the EPA last December demanding the agency introduce new regulations on the oil and gas industry.

Methane pollution is projected to increase to a level equivalent to over 620 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution in 2030 without additional action to reduce emissions.

The White House said the EPA would propose new rules for future landfills in the summer of 2014, and was considering new regulations on existing landfills.

The Department of Energy will meanwhile begin exploring the potential of capturing and storing methane in underground waste dumps.

Original article – 

Will the White House Crack Down on Gas Emissions?

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Are Ford Hybrids A Reliable Choice Up In Cold Northern Manitoba Canada Or Minnesota ?

We often hear one common quote “The constant thing in this world is change” not only from our elders, but also from marketers who want to sell an enhanced product. This saying is absolutely true and applicable when it comes to gadgets and automobiles in our market today. Who should use cellphones with antennas in our present time? Who is willing to ride in an old type of car without any windshield or side mirrors? Who is not in favor with innovations that benefit each consumer? Of course, everybody will agree about vehicle improvements like the proposed plan of the Ford Company.

Reading authoritative auto trade journals , such as Edmunds or Consumer Reports and in addition online auto industry related websites you will note that the Ford Company has experienced success in sales as a major global player. In the past this was not the case when decades back Ford was essentially and primarily a domestic American auto maker with its local North American marketplace to serve . According to sale and statistic records, nearly 64 percent of the C-MAX buyers came from non-Ford brands in June, whereas demands of clients were mostly on savings and improve on-road fuel economy that somehow Ford cannot give at this time. Yet, Raj Nair, the vice-president of global product enhancement told the press about the upcoming innovations of Ford Hybrids as well as the key to make it into success- the strong acceptance of the consumers.

The above disadvantages are the main reasons why Ford Hybrids, including the 2013 models of Ford are soon to launch with an enhanced features and systems. According to Raj Nair, the vice president of the international product development, client’s attention and strong acceptance with the innovations were the keys to achieve higher Ford vehicle sales. Their plan was based from the recent statistics and sale records of C-MAX buyers and results showed that almost 64 percent of the consumers were non-Ford brands in June while the remaining percentage might under non-vehicle clients.

Innovations and calibration updates have been started since August in the United States and Canada. Models such as the 2013 Ford C-MAX, 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid received an enhanced inside and outside vehicle improvements made possible by the Ford automakers and owners. To make it into success, electric car engineering team by nearly 50 percent increase and $50 million dollar investments in high-class facilities for the expansions have been proposed.

To provide a clearer copy and understanding of these features, Raj gave the following detailed information: increased maximum pure electric speed to 85 mph from 62 mph, improved climate control system to minimize the use of the air-conditioning compressor and reduce the energy consumption, shortened engine warm-up time by 50 percent to enable electric-only driving and engine shutdown, lessened electric fans speed function of coolant temperature to decrease the fan’s consumption of energy and optimized Active Grille consumption to reduce the aerodynamic drag under more driving and temperature conditions.

Data is based on the range of new automotive features/technologies introduced in the U.S. over the past fifty years. These analogs collectively suggest it would take at least 30 years for this modality of propulsionto capture 80% of the U.S. passenger vehicle stock.. Free reprint available from: Are Ford Hybrids A Reliable Choice Up In Cold Northern Manitoba Canada Or Minnesota ?.

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