Staff Reporter

Clean drinking water to be provided to all: Minister

April 13, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Stressing on the importance of clean drinking water, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh said the way water had reached houses in less than the last three years was a great example of public aspirations and public participation.

Presenting the details of Har Ghar Nal Yojana under Jal Jeevan Mission, Singh said the government had allocated Rs 3.70 lakh crore for next five years so that every house could get tap water.

“In rural areas, including inaccessible hills, people should get clean drinking water,” Singh said at a press conference here on Monday.

Singh said that continuous work was being done in the area of water conservation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi believed that it was important to end the water barrier for the development of the country.

“Utilising the water of the country’s rivers is one of the top priorities of the government and so is it to ensure that sufficient water reaches the farmers’ fields,” he said.

The jal shakti minister said that before Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, only 16 per cent of households in the country had access to tap water, whereas in just two years after the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission, 49 per cent of households had pure tap water.

“Modi ji has set a target of providing pure water to every villager by the year 2024,” the minister said.

Singh went on to say that the Har Ghar Nal Yojana had changed the lives of lakhs of people. He said that in the first phase, work was in progress on a war footing to provide pure drinking water through taps from village to village in Bundelkhand and Vindhya region as well as in 66 districts of the state.

He said pure water supply had been started by giving water connections to 9,13,537 houses under the ongoing scheme.

The minister said that more than 13.47 per cent of pure water was being supplied in rural areas of UP. He said maximum work had been done on a priority basis in rural areas of Bundelkhand and Vindhyas where drinking water was the biggest problem.

To buttress his point, the minister said that drinking water supply reached 28,008 houses in the arsenic and Japanese encephalitis affected areas of the state.

Apart from providing pure water, the work of generating employment was being done on a large-scale, he said, adding that posts of plumber and electrician etc were being created on contract basis and local people were being linked with employment.

Singh also presented district-wise progress report of functional household tap connections,

“Under the ongoing plan, the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme has proved to be a boon for the people of Bundelkhand and Vindhya areas which were in the grip of arsenic in groundwater or other water-borne and infectious diseases,” the minister said.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Better air in classrooms matters beyond COVID. Here’s why schools aren’t there yet

April 13, 2022 by Staff Reporter

“It matters more to people right now,” says Heming. “COVID is this immediate threat that has made air quality immediately relevant.”

That’s why she and other indoor air-quality experts say the Biden administration’s new National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan is a step in the right direction: It specifically highlights the need to help schools upgrade their ventilation systems for the long term, using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Heming says in the past, it’s been hard to make a health case for improving air quality in schools, because the health impacts tend to be longer term. But a whole body of research shows the health and academic benefits are substantial – and go beyond COVID. When a room is better ventilated, influenza rates, asthma attacks and absenteeism go down, reading and math test scores go up. Less carbon dioxide builds up in a room, which helps students think more clearly.

“It’s well documented across all different countries and all different ages,” says Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University. “We see benefits in kindergarteners, we see benefits in high school, we see benefits in college students and middle schoolers – every age group.”

Allen says understanding these long-term benefits of upgrading ventilation is vital, “because an investment right now is not just a short-term investment for COVID. If a school does this right, they can expect not only years, but decades of benefits to health beyond reductions in infectious disease transmission.”

And experts say those investments are desperately needed, because most U.S. schools are poorly ventilated to begin with. The average American school is over 45 years old, and many have HVAC systems that are outdated or need repairs, according to a 2020 report from the Government Accountability Office. Some schools are so old, they don’t even have mechanical ventilation systems.

“I don’t think a lot of people recognize that the design standards [that govern ventilation rates in schools and other buildings] are bare minimums. They were never actually set for health,” says Allen.

Carl Thurnau knows all too well just how bad deferred school maintenance can get. Several years ago, a classroom ceiling actually collapsed at a school in the City School District of New Rochelle, New York. That’s when the district recruited Thurnau, an engineer, to become its director of facilities to oversee a $106 million overhaul of buildings – a process that was already funded and in motion when COVID struck. That money meant the school district could quickly pivot to implement ventilation upgrades in response to COVID.

Having funding in place “is why we were able to get ahead of this – and in my opinion, stay ahead,” Thurnau says. But “there’s no doubt that districts with less financial resources are struggling to find the money to solve some of these problems.”

Ventilation and green building experts have been offering schools guidance on how to improve their air quality to reduce COVID risk since the early days of the pandemic, even before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged the virus could spread through the air. Broadly speaking, Allen says, the advice boils down to three major things: increasing the amount of outdoor air in a classroom; using higher-efficiency MERV filters in HVAC systems; and supplementing these measures with portable air cleaners with HEPA filters.

But two years in, it’s unclear how many schools have actually made these changes. That information isn’t tracked at the federal level, though some reports hint at the challenges schools have faced. What’s clear, says Allen, is that while a lot of schools have taken steps to improve ventilation, many others haven’t. “Some haven’t done the basic measures, the stopgap measures,” Allen says.

Heming says schools have been able to tap federal funds for ventilation upgrades since late December 2020, and the American Rescue Plan Act, passed in March 2021, made a lot more money – $122 billion – available to schools for this and other pandemic-related purposes.

So why have many schools been slow to act when it comes to indoor air quality? Last year, the Center for Green Schools published a survey of more than 47 school districts representing 2.5 million students in 24 states. The vast majority of them said they prefer to invest in long-term solutions rooted in revamping or replacing their HVAC systems.

But with so many old and outdated school buildings, Heming says “these strategies that schools need to use require that they do pretty major renovations.”

That kind of work takes many months to plan and contract. In many cases, she says, those plans are only being firmed up now. And a recent survey found many school districts are worried that they won’t be able to complete the work by a September 2024 deadline under the law, especially because of supply chain issues and labor and material shortages.

Stopgap measures like opening windows or using portable air cleaners really do work to improve indoor air quality, Heming says, but they can only take schools so far. For example, open windows aren’t realistic when outdoor temperatures are freezing, she says, and in humid regions, they can pull in more humidity, promoting the growth of mold.

And while many school districts have invested in stand-alone portable air cleaners, they come with their own headaches, says Heming: The units can be disruptively noisy and they need to be stored and maintained over time.

In general, she says, the school districts that were able to move quickest to improve their air ventilation and filtration in response to the pandemic were those that already had money available to upgrade their facilities, and in many cases, they’d already assessed their buildings and knew which ones needed work.

But there are some encouraging signs that more schools may be catching up soon. An analysis released in February by FutureEd, a think tank at Georgetown University, found that school districts already had plans in place to spend about $4.4 billion on HVAC updates, and if trends continue, that could reach nearly $10 billion. Another FutureEd analysis found that high-poverty districts are more likely to plan to use federal funds to upgrade aging ventilation systems.

The EPA’s Tracy Enger says interest in the agency’s guidance on indoor air quality for school has skyrocketed over the last year. “What we are seeing is this moment turning into a movement for improving indoor air quality in schools and creating healthier learning spaces,” she says.

Heming says she’s also optimistic, but her enthusiasm is tempered. She notes that the $122 billion of American Rescue Plan funds designated for schools has to pay for a host of pandemic-related needs – from hiring more staff to summer school programs – not just ventilation upgrades.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Vent Kings Offers Professional Air Duct & Dryer Vent Cleaning in Vancouver, BC

April 13, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Andrew Delarosa & Joshua Casuga

Vent Kings offers professional air duct & dryer vent cleaning services for residential, strata, and commercial properties throughout the Lower Mainland.

You can be confident that we always offer an excellent customer experience when we come to your home.”

— Josh and Andrew

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, April 12, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Lint buildup in dryer vents can slow down drying time and may even become a fire hazard, thus regular vent duct cleaning is highly recommended.

Vent Kings service dryer vents with a full interior and exterior clean which increases the efficiency of the appliance while reducing energy consumption. A thorough vent cleaning ensures the dryer gets maximum airflow. This reduces wear and tear on the dryer and significantly lessens the chances of a dryer fire. As an added bonus, since an efficient dryer takes up less time and electricity, it will offer savings on utility bills in the long run. Vent Kings provides their professional dryer vent cleaning services not only for residential households, but also for apartment buildings, condominium complexes, and commercial properties.

Duct cleaning services refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems. This includes the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

Clean air ducts are essential for a healthy home environment, by preventing the accumulation of harmful substances such as mold, mildew, dust, and other allergens in a living space. Having air ducts professionally cleaned results in a safer and healthier environment for children and those who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Vent Kings is a well established Vancouver business that is locally owned and founded by Joshua Casuga & Andrew Delarosa. With their combined years of experience and background, they have succeeded in building a thriving and well-regarded company in the Lower Mainland region. This growing company strives to deliver professional, friendly, and reliable service with unmatched techniques and procedures.

Contact Vent Kings directly to get a free estimate.

Joshua Casuga & Andrew Delarosa
Vent Kings
+1 604-401-9990
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Other

You just read:

News Provided By

Joshua Casuga & Andrew Delarosa, Vent Kings

April 13, 2022, 06:18 GMT

EIN Presswire’s priority is source transparency. We do not allow opaque clients, and our editors try to be careful about weeding out false and misleading content.
As a user, if you see something we have missed, please do bring it to our attention. Your help is welcome. EIN Presswire, Everyone’s Internet News Presswire™,
tries to define some of the boundaries that are reasonable in today’s world. Please see our
Editorial Guidelines
for more information.

Submit your press release

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

New versions of environmental sensor node are now available

April 13, 2022 by Staff Reporter

13-04-2022 |
Sensirion
|
Test & Measurement

Sensirion’s environmental sensor nodes are intended for usage in indoor air quality applications. The SEN50 environmental node is part of the SEN5x series and provides a straightforward sensor solution platform for accurately measuring particulate matter. In addition to particulate matter, the device can detect other environmental parameters, such as VOCs and NOx, and humidity and temperature. Sensirion’s algorithms enable straightforward integration into various applications. The implemented engine is known as Sensirion Temperature Acceleration Routine (STAR), accelerates the device’s response to ambient temperature changes by a Source: Sensirion AG factor of two to three. This, together with a temperature compensation engine, gives a better user experience and more accurate measurements to end-users. Device manufacturers, therefore, save valuable project time and personnel resources. End customers obtain reliable air quality measurement and benefit from an enhanced indoor environment with better health and comfort.

“Built on highly reliable and advanced environmental sensors, Sensirion has developed the SEN5x environmental sensor node to provide a fast and straightforward integration into indoor air quality applications. With the SEN50 and SEN55, we offer new versions to fulfil our customers’ needs and continue our efforts to lead the journey in environmental sensing solutions,” says Antonio Rubino, environmental sensor node product manager at Sensirion.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Clean drinking water an unfortunate luxury in country

April 13, 2022 by Staff Reporter

KARACHI / LAHORE / PESHAWAR:

Queuing up at tube wells to fill their containers with water, which is often hazardous for health, is the plight of many residents of the country in both rural and urban areas alike.

While those in rural areas often have to walk several kilometers to get their hands on the luxury commodity, residents of urban areas have to navigate from one government operated well to another in the hopes of getting clean drinking water.

However, 40-year-old Tahir Khan, a resident of Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), plight is even worse as the people of Lakki Marwat and their livestock have to rely on rainwater to quench their thirst. “We dig out a place to store the rainwater and then use that water. It is unfortunate that even in this modern era we are still compelled to drink rainwater,” he lamented.

When the rain stops, they have to rely on expensive water tankers which cost upwards of Rs 20,000, as per Tahir. Documents submitted to the Senate by the Ministry of Water Resources reveal that Tahir’s fate awaits others in 28 districts of K-P as groundwater is rapidly declining – out of the 28, groundwater in 5 districts is dangerously low, as it has dropped from 25 to 74 feet.Towards the northwest, in Lahore, one of the country’s most populous cities, the Express Tribune learnt that groundwater level woes are even worse as the groundwater level is decreasing by one meter annually.

To put this into perspective, the water level which was at 125 feet up until 2010 has dropped to 155 feet in 2021 in different parts of the city. As far as clean water is concerned, in 1980 it was available at 200 feet; presently, one would have to drill 800 feet into the ground to access clean drinking water.

Furthermore, Lahore’s residents’ ordeal is exacerbated as the city’s water drains are contaminated with mud or sewage water. A survey conducted by the Punjab Government, last year, found evidence that in 16 samples taken from different parts of the city, 31% of the water samples were found to be unsafe with high levels of arsenic. Muhammad Ijaz, a resident of the Garhi Shahu whose water was found to be contaminated, informed that he has to purchase expensive water tankers provided by private companies as the only water available to them was a serious health hazard. It is key to note that the use of contaminated water is common across the country and causes 70 to 80% of waterborne diseases in Pakistan; resultantly it causes deaths of up to 60,000 children annually, as per President of Pakistan Pediatric Association (Sindh) Prof. Jalaluddin Akbar.

The professor, commenting on Sindh’s struggles with clean water, stated: “ Numerous questions have also been raised about the quality of groundwater in Sindh. The situation in rural areas, including Karachi, is dire. About 60% of the population uses contaminated well water for drinking, which can lead to various diseases including stomach ailments.” Sounding the alarm bells, Professor Akbar, said that at the present rate at which groundwater levels are falling “the 6th most populous country in the world is facing permanent water shortage in the near future.” Professor Akbar, is not the only one who has given the warning, according to a United Nations World Water Development (WWD) Report, the total actual renewable water resources in Pakistan decreased from 2,961 m3 in 2000 to 1,420 m3 in 2005 and the number will further reduce to 800 m3 by 2025. Professor Dr Nafees Khan of the University of Peshawar’s Environmental Sciences Department, termed the situation problematic and reiterated that the country was heading towards a crisis.

“There is a dire need for water policy in the country, as people pay no heed to laws regarding digging private tube wells and water bores. Such blatant violations of the law will end up depriving the entire country of its water resources eventually,” he told the Express Tribune.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Chloramine Water Treatment in Morris County | Morristown Minute

April 13, 2022 by Staff Reporter

On April 25, New Jersey American Water will resume using chloramines in water treatment plants that service customers in Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, and Union.

–

In mid-February, as part of an annual routine maintenance program for its water distribution system, New Jersey American Water temporarily changed the water treatment process at North Jersey treatment plants from a chloramine residual to a free chlorine residual.

On April 25, NJ American Water will resume using chloramines in water treatment at its Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road Water Treatment plants. These plants serve residents in Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Union, and Morris counties.

The two-month changeover to free chlorine residual enables NJ American Water to perform routine annual maintenance. During the transition to free chlorine residual, some customers may have noticed a slight chlorine taste and odor in their water. With the resumption of the chloramine process, the taste and smell of chlorine will subside.

The treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers in the following communities:

(Communities with an asterisk purchase water from New Jersey American Water.)

Essex County: Irvington, Maplewood, Millburn

Hunterdon County: Flemington Borough*, Raritan Township, Readington Township, and Tewksbury Township

Mercer County: Hopewell Borough*, Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township*, Princeton Borough, Princeton Junction, Princeton Township, Trenton*, and West Windsor Township

Middlesex County: Cranbury Township, Dunellen Borough, Edison Township, Jamesburg Borough, Middlesex Borough, Monroe Township, North Brunswick*, Piscataway Township, Plainsboro Township, South Brunswick Township and South Plainfield Borough

Morris County: Chatham Township, Florham Park Borough, Long Hill Township, Mendham Township Mendham Borough

Somerset County: Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Bound Brook Borough, Branchburg Township, Bridgewater Township, Far Hills Borough, Franklin Township, Green Brook Township, Hillsborough Township, Manville Borough, Millstone Borough, Montgomery Township, North Plainfield Borough, Peapack & Gladstone Borough, Raritan Borough, Rocky Hill*, Somerville Borough, South Bound Brook Borough, Warren Township and Watchung Borough

Union County: Berkley Heights Township, City of Rahway*, Clark Township, Cranford Township, City of Elizabeth (Liberty)*, Fanwood Borough, Garwood Borough, Hillside Township, Kenilworth Borough, Linden City, Mountainside Borough, New Providence Borough, Plainfield City, Roselle Borough, Roselle Park Borough, Scotch Plains Township, Springfield Township, Summit, Union Township, Westfield Township and Winfield Park Township*

What is chloramine?

Chloramine is a disinfectant used to treat drinking water. It is formed by mixing chlorine with ammonia.

Although it is a weaker disinfectant than chlorine, it is more stable which extends its disinfectant benefits throughout a water utility’s distribution system (a system of pipes that delivers water to homes).

Chloramine has been used by water systems for almost 90 years, and its use is closely regulated.

Why do public water suppliers add disinfectants to my drinking water?

Disinfecting tap water is critical to protect the public from disease-causing microorganisms.

Drinking water is disinfected to kill bacteria, viruses and other organisms that cause serious illness and death.

Disinfecting drinking water has improved public health by lowering the rates of infectious diseases spread through untreated water (for example, typhoid, hepatitis and cholera). Common disinfectants used in water treatment include chlorine and chloramines.

What are the advantages of using chloramine?

Since chloramine is not as reactive as chlorine, its use can reduce the formation of cancer-causing disinfection byproducts, such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids.

Because chloramine residual is more stable and longer-lasting than free chlorine, it provides better protection against bacterial growth in water distribution systems.

Chloramine does not tend to react with organic compounds, and as a result, many customers may notice fewer taste and odor complications.

Chloramine technology is relatively easy to install and operate. It also is among the less expensive disinfectant alternatives to chlorine.

What are the disadvantages of using chloramine?

Chloramine levels are more complicated to regulate than chlorine levels. Failure to properly control and monitor chloramine treatment can cause undesirable chemical reactions such as corrosion of pipes or nitrification in the distribution system.

Corrosion can cause the leaching of lead and copper from pipes and solder. Nitrification can cause a loss of disinfectant residual. Proper operation and management of the treatment system and disinfectant levels prevent these potential drawbacks to the use of chloramines.

In addition, chloramine deteriorates natural rubber products like toilet tank “flapper values” faster than chlorine. (Alternative synthetic products are available in plumbing and hardware stores if rubber deterioration becomes a problem in your home.)

How many people use drinking water treated with chloramine?

Approximately one-third of all public water systems in the United States use chloramine for disinfecting drinking water.

In a 1998 national survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that water systems treated with chloramine serve more than 68 million people across the country.

Does chloramine cause skin rashes or irritate the lungs when showering or bathing?

According to the EPA, drinking water with chloramine levels that meet EPA standards is associated with minimal to no risk and should be considered safe.

According to Dr. Jeffrey K. Griffiths at the Tufts University School of Medicine, “There is no scientific literature to support the contention that chloramine or ammonia exposures of any significance occur because of respiration. The levels of ammonia found in chlorinated water do not act as a skin irritant given their very low levels, and the levels of ammonia found in chloraminated water are dwarfed by the amounts of ammonia found in foodstuffs.”

Irritation to the eyes and nose, stomach discomfort, or anemia can occur by drinking water containing chloramines well in excess of the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels. High levels would occur with improper operation of the water treatment and distribution system.

Does chloramine increase lead levels in my drinking water?

In some instances, water systems have experienced elevated lead levels immediately after converting to chloramine. These problems were usually attributable to unique circumstances and are avoidable if the conversion process is monitored and managed properly.

For dialysis patients…

Dialysis centers and hospitals are notified before a water system converts to chloramine. Like chlorine, chloramine residuals need to be removed from water that is used for dialysis machines.

As part of their standard test procedures, technicians check for total chlorine residuals (due to chloramine) to ensure the residual is zero. Some machines may need modifications depending on the method of chlorine removal that is currently used.

A change in the disinfectant used to treat the water should not impact or require any change in the normal operation of dialysis machines.

Home dialysis users should consult their physician or dialysis machine manufacturer for instructions.

Lastly, for aquarium and fishpond owners…

Chloramine residuals need to be removed from water that is added to aquariums and fishponds.

You can obtain an inexpensive conditioner and a test kit from a local pet store or aquarium supply store. Alternatively, aquarium owners may purchase a carbon filtration system that is designed to remove chloramine.

Pond owners may need to purchase a conditioner or ammonia binder in bulk quantities if more than one percent of the total water volume in the pond is replaced at one time.

Chloramines have been used as a safe and effective disinfectant for drinking water in the following cities:

Philadelphia
Washington, D.C.
Boston
San Francisco
Dallas
Indianapolis
St. Louis
Houston
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
Portland, OR
Kansas City, MO
Miami
San Diego

–

For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

Follow Morristown Minute on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more local and state updates!

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

California unveils proposed rule to ban new gas-fueled cars

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

In summary

If enacted this summer, California’s mandate — the first in the world — would increase sales of electric or other zero-emission cars to 35% in 2026, and prohibit new gasoline or diesel cars by 2035.

California’s clean-air regulators today unveiled a far-reaching proposal requiring a ramp-up in sales of zero-emission cars, culminating in a ban on new gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

The rules to force Californians to end their dependence on conventional cars are a critical component to California’s goals to tackle climate change and poor air quality.

If adopted by the California Air Resources Board this summer, the regulations would be the first in the world and could pave the way for nationwide standards. At least 15 other states pledged to follow California’s lead on car standards on previous clean-car rules, and the federal government usually follows.

Carrying out Gov. Gavin Newsom 2020 executive order ordering the board to end the sale of gas-powered cars in California by 2035, the new proposal sets in motion the public regulatory process. Public comments will be collected for 45 days, then a hearing will be held on June 9 and the board is expected to vote in August.

Automakers did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the draft rules. But many major manufacturers, including General Motors, have already announced goals to ramp up clean-car models on a similar timeframe.

“This is a hugely important inflection point. This rule finally, definitively puts us on the path to 100% zero-emission vehicles,” said Daniel Sperling, a member of the Air Resources Board and founding director of the University of California, Davis Institute of Transportation Studies.

Vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel fuel are the state’s biggest sources of planet-warming greenhouse gases, smog and dangerous particles. Under the rule proposed today, about 384 million fewer metric tons of greenhouse gases will be emitted between 2026 and 2040, according to air board staff — more than the total amount that the state emitted in 2019 across its economy.

“This is a hugely important inflection point. This rule finally, definitively puts us on the path to 100% zero-emission vehicles.”

daniel sperling, air resources board MEMBER and UC Davis

Under the new proposed mandate, 35% of new cars, SUVs and small pickups sold in the state will need to be zero-emission starting in 2026, increasing to 68% in 2030 and 100% in 2035. Of those, 20% can be plug-in hybrids.

The rule does not apply to sales of pre-owned cars, and it wouldn’t do anything to force the millions of existing gasoline-powered cars off roads. Only about 2% of cars on California’s roads were zero emissions in 2020.

California has already enacted standards that will require roughly 8% of new cars sold in the state to be zero emission in 2025, according to air board staff. That goal already has been exceeded: About 12% of California’s 2021 new vehicle sales were clean cars, according to state data. But the pace would have to triple in just five years to reach the new target.

One of the biggest roadblocks could be the lack of charging stations for electric cars. Nearly 1.2 million chargers will be needed for the 8 million zero-emission vehicles expected in California by 2030, according to a state report. Right now, there are only about 70,000 with another 123,000 on the way, falling far short.

Another obstacle is the cost of the vehicles. “The cost to manufacturers will be high per vehicle in the early years, but significantly decrease over time by 2035,” the air board’s staff report says.

The economic benefits of the mandate are expected to exceed the costs: The costs could run $289 billion over the lifetime of the rule while the economic benefits could reach at least $338 billion — a net benefit of $48 billion, according to air board staff.

Electric cars now cost more to purchase, but price drops plus savings on gas and maintenance would add up, saving consumers an estimated $3,200 over ten years for a 2026 car and $7,500 for a 2035 car, the air board calculated.

In an effort to address consumer reluctance, manufacturers would be required to meet minimum performance, durability and warranty requirements for zero-emission vehicles. Cars must be able to drive at least 150 miles on a single charge, up from the current 50-mile mandate, and batteries will need to last longer and carry a manufacturer’s warranty.

The goal is to ensure that new and used zero-emission vehicles “can serve as full replacement vehicles for conventional vehicles in every household in California,” the air board says.

Electric cars now cost more, but price drops plus savings on gas and maintenance would save consumers an estimated $3,200 for a 2026 car and $7,500 for a 2035 car.

Environmental advocates had raised concerns about previous drafts, saying they ramped up too slowly, allowing millions of cars powered by fossil fuels to remain on the roads since the average car is driven for 12 years.

Starting at a sales requirement of 35% is “a marked improvement,” said Don Anair, research and deputy director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ clean transportation program. Still, he said, “It’s kind of the bare minimum. So we really see that as a floor, not a ceiling, to get started.”

Car manufacturers may meet a small portion of the sales targets through 2031 with credits aimed at helping low-income residents who are disproportionately harmed by pollution. For instance, they could earn credits for selling less-expensive new zero-emission cars costing less than $20,000 or ensure that vehicles are offered up for resale in the state.

Last year Newsom approved a $3.9 zero-emission vehicle budget that included about $1.2 billion to bolster rebates and other clean-car incentives, particularly for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Another $300 million will go toward building charging and fueling infrastructure. This year Newsom proposed another $10 billion zero-emission funding package in his January budget blueprint.

The state auditor has warned the Air Resources Board, however, that it “has generally not determined the effects its incentive programs have on consumers’ behavior and thus, has overstated (greenhouse gas) emissions reductions its incentive programs achieve.”

While battery-powered cars emit no pollutants, the generation of the power that runs them does. However, air-quality regulators say emissions from electricity generation are far lower than from vehicles. Much of California’s electricity comes from natural gas, solar, wind and hydropower.

Other nations are on similar paths toward phasing out fossil fuel-powered vehicles, but no state or nation has adopted a rule that bans them. However, the European Union is considering a large package of climate change laws that would, in effect, prohibit fossil fuel cars by requiring a 100% cut in all carbon dioxide emissions by 2035.

Washington state’s Legislature also recently passed a transportation bill that set a goal that all cars sold, purchased or registered in the state by 2030 be electric vehicles. But it’s not an enforceable regulation like California’s would be if enacted this summer.

California’s proposal comes as gas prices soar to more than $5 per gallon in the state. Critics say the Newsom administration is sending mixed messages about gasoline-powered cars by proposing rebates for car owners.

The zero-emission vehicle proposal will require approval of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for implementation. Since the 1960s, the state has led the country in cleaning up the exhaust that creates California’s choking smog. The federal Clean Air Act gave California authority to set its own tailpipe emissions standards.

The Trump administration acted to eliminate that authority but President Joe Biden’s EPA overturned the decision in March. Newsom called it “a major victory for the environment, our economy, and the health of families across the country” and said the state “looks forward to partnering with the Biden Administration to make a zero-emission future a reality for all Americans.”

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Victoria disaster relief organization receives huge donation | Premium

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Victoria County Long-Term Recovery Group received a truckload of cleaning supplies on Tuesday intended for those in need.

The supplies — packs of Dawn and Mr. Clean disinfecting wipes — came from Good360, an organization that works to distribute donated goods. They are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, said Rick Villa, executive director of the recovery group. The purpose of the recovery group is to assist the community with disaster response and recovery, Villa said.

“The value on this donation is over $200,000,” Villa said. “And it’s going to be available to the public.”

The organization still has to process the donation and conduct an inventory of items before they can be distributed to those in need, he said.

An 18-wheeler full of cleaning supplies backs up to the Victoria County Long-Term Recovery Group’s warehouse.

Cody Baird | [email protected]

Villa called Good360 the “Costco for nonprofit organizations.” Previously Good360 has donated cordless blinds, futons, humidifiers, treadmills and bicycles to the recovery group.

“Last year, we had submitted paperwork to (Good360) asking them for plumbing supplies,” Villa said. “They communicated with Lowe’s at the corporate level and they were able to to secure us donations of plumbing supplies.”

The recovery group was formed to aid disaster response and recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Villa said. Since then, it has broadened its scope to assist in recovery from the 2021 winter storm and from COVID-19.

Aid comes in a variety of forms, and can consist of new plumbing, a new water heater, new flooring, repair to interior walls and more.

One of the recovery group’s largest projects is Hope Meadows, a housing development in Bloomington built specifically for families affected by Hurricane Harvey. The project cost $4.6 million and was a partnership of national, faith-based nonprofits and local groups, including the Mennonite Disaster Service, Disaster Aid Ohio and Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity, among others, according to previous reporting.

To apply for assistance, Villa said, community members can first fill out an intake form, and then a member of the organization will ask them a series of questions to determine if they can provide assistance. If assistance can be provided, a contractor will be sent out to assess the home.

Cody covers the business beat for the Advocate. He can be reached at (361) 580-6504 or [email protected]

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

HIGH-TECH DROIDS UNITE AT DORSETT WANCHAI

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

These measures range from the iCleanic’s Intelligent Sanitization Station that sanitizes the body from head to toe as well as the belongings of arriving guests, the autonomous cleaning and disinfecting “Whiz Gambit” Robot and the Portable Gambit ensure all public areas and rooms are virus-free, while the UV-C air purifier guarantees the best air quality, to the RICE Robot that allows contact-less delivery of amenities. These droids are now in service to ensure all guests the safest, healthiest, and freshest stay ever.

As “One of the Best Hong Kong Hotels for Quarantine” recommended by Discovery, Cathay Pacific & Time Out Magazine and the “Best Quarantine Hotel in Hong Kong – Silver” by Expat Living, Dorsett Wanchai offers a quarantine package for 7 nights from HKD990nett per night, with daily 3 meals and USD24–110 cash credits for use during the guests’ stay.

Effortless Disinfection with the “Whiz Gambit” Robot and Portable Gambit

Dorsett Wanchai has recruited the best-in-class SGS-certified “Whiz Gambit” Robot, which has a 99.99% efficiency of killing the COVID-19 virus, bacteria, airborne fungi, and to deep clean carpets and disinfect every corner at the hotel lobby, guest floors and other public areas. It also generates disinfectant particles in dry mist form, which leaves a long-lasting and durable antimicrobial protective coating for more than 45 days to effectively inactivate microorganisms on all exposed surfaces.

After guests’ checkout, what follows the comprehensive cleaning procedures with Ecolab’s hospital-grade Disinfectant Cleaner 2.0 is, a thorough disinfection and antimicrobial coating of the guestroom by the Portable Gambit, which is as powerful as the bio-decontamination compartment of “Whiz Gambit”, and can be controlled via a mobile app.

Added Measures for Extra Safety

At Dorsett Wanchai, the best indoor air quality is also guaranteed 24/7 with air purifiers that feature IoT High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) UV-C Technology, in all 454 guestrooms and guest floors.

To minimize human contact, the RICE Robot would assist staff in delivering amenities to guests all over the hotel when guests call for extra amenities.

Humans and AI Joining Forces as the Perfect Team

“We are thrilled to welcome the high-tech members who can do an even better job than humans when it comes to cleaning and disinfection, taking our safety measures to a new height. With them, our staff can now spend more time taking care of our guests,” said Ms. Anita Chan, General Manager of Dorsett Wanchai, Hong Kong.

BOOK NOW for a safe & healthy stay at Dorsett Wanchai.

SOURCE Dorsett Wanchai, Hong Kong

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Agri, drinking water crises loom as Luna river dries up

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Kendrapara: A sharp drop in water level of Luna river has sparked fear of disruption in drinking water supply to Kendrapara town as well as water supply to the farmlands on the river basin, a report said.

Reports said, the river flowing through Kendrapara district has been witnessing continuous decline in water level since December 2021.

Environmentalists and residents attributed the dip in water level to illegal lifting of sand from the riverbed. They fear that illegal sand mining might force the river to change its course which will spell disaster for the residents in future.

Local intellectuals batted for interlinking of rivers in the district as a lasting solution to the problem.

Highlighting the plight, Khitish Kumar Singh of Khadianga in the town said the public health engineering organisation (PHEO) and Water Resources department have jointly established a pump house at Kalapada to lift water from the river and supply it to the households in the town.

However, the riverbed near the pump house went dry in January itself. Later, the two departments constructed a channel on the opposite side to draw the river water to the pump house.

But, the channel too did not last long and has started drying up. Santosh Kumar Panda, a local, said, “Check dams have been constructed on the river at Padagayaspur, Gayaspur, Thauri, Chadheiguan, Rajgad and Angulai to store the river water for agriculture and drinking water purposes.”

He feared that a drop in water level might leave 10,000 hectare farmland uncultivated. Former ZP member Ganesh Chandra Samal said Luna river flowing through the district is 73-km long and was used for maritime trade during British rule.

However, the river is now facing the threat of extinction due to illegal sand and soil mining and rampant encroachment. He said the district lacks proper irrigation facilities.

“Over 15, 850 hectare farmlands lack facility to drain out excess water. Similarly, 32,350 hectare farmlands are saline while 34,952 hectare gets submerged during floods,” he added.

Moreover, 84,910 hectare farmlands are drought prone due to lack of water supply.

When contacted, executive engineer of irrigation department Prabodh Kumar Rout said that efforts are on and funds have been sanctioned for renovation of Luna river and very soon the residents will reap the benefits.

PNN

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here