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Airborne measurements show ozone-forming VOCs emissions from ethanol plant higher than government estimates

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VOCs and nitrogen oxides react with sunlight to form ground-level ozone, the main component of smog. They then compared their findings with government emissions estimates from 2011. De Gouw said the VOC emissions are likely generated by the production process, not the coal-burning that powers it.

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EPA says methane emissions from natural gas production have dropped 36% from 2007-2011

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In its recently released Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 – 2011 ( earlier post ), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that methane (CH 4 ) emissions from the field production of natural gas have declined by 36% from 2007 to 2011 (from 83.1 Tg CO 2 eq) in 2011. Tg CO 2 eq) in 2011.

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UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

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Black carbon and tropospheric ozone are harmful air pollutants that also contribute to climate change. Reducing black carbon and tropospheric ozone now will slow the rate of climate change within the first half of this century, the study said.

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NASA satellite images highlight US air quality improvement with reduction of NO2

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After ten years in orbit, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite has been in orbit sufficiently long to show that people in major US cities are breathing less nitrogen dioxide. The gas is produced primarily during the combustion of gasoline in vehicle engines and coal in power plants.

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Renault makes public its lifecycle study of Fluence ICE vs Fluence EV

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Renault recently made public the findings of an internal study, published first in October 2011, detailing and comparing the lifecycle assessments (LCAs) of the battery-electric and two internal combustion engined versions (gasoline and diesel) of the Renault Fluence. Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (kg Ethene equivalent).

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International study identifies 14 key measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions; reduction in projected global mean warming of ~0.5 °C by 2050

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Methane is both a potent greenhouse gas and an important precursor to ground-level ozone. Ozone, a key component of smog and also a greenhouse gas, damages crops and human health. Tropospheric ozone and black carbon (BC) contribute to degraded air quality and global warming.

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EPA Proposes Transport Rule to Cut Pollution from Power Plants in 31 States and DC; New Approach for Pollution Reduction

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This proposal reduces emissions contributing to fine particle (PM 2.5 ) and ozone nonattainment that often travel across state lines. SO 2 and NO x react in the atmosphere to form fine particle pollution and ground-level ozone (smog), which are linked to widespread illnesses and premature deaths. NO x emissions would drop by 52%.

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