Up in the Air

Replacements for Ozone Depleters are Atmospheric Heaters

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

When ozone depleting substances such as halons and other CFCs were banned by the Montreal Protocol, replacements known as HFCs eventually stepped in to fill the gap in refrigeration, fire protection, and other uses.

The problem with HFCs is that although they d ...

Australia's Carbon Tax Now Law

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

Australia's carbon tax is now law and will take effect in the summer of 2012 with a price of $US23.50 per ton of CO2 emissions.

Time will tell what the fate of the law will be. This carbon tax is facing questions posed in this blog post in the New ...

International Climate Panel Strengthens Review Process

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced on Friday at the 33rd Plenary Session in Abu Dhabi that it will formally adopt new rules designed to increase the validity of its findings in preparation its upcoming 5th Climate Assessment due out in September, 2014.

...

Definitive Signs of Ozone Hole Recovery

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

"The hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica is starting to heal, say researchers in Australia." So writes James Mitchell Crow in "Nature News", the onlin ...

ASTM D7673 Standard for Halon 1211 Now Published

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

After nearly a year of work, the ASTM subcommittee for fire extinguishing agents (D 26.09) has published a brand-new standard for Halon 1211 - the streaming fire extinguishing agent used to charge portable fire extinguishers for certain critical-use applications, such as aircraft.

Greenhouse Gas Reporting

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

We know this is “old news” but we thought we should double-check in case you missed it the first time…

On October 30, 2009 the EPA issued a rule on reporting for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the US. If you import or export fluorocarbon f ...

McConnell Says No Cap-and-Trade

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

In a Wall Stree Journal video interview, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) says that with the recent gains by repblicans in the US Legislature, there may be a way to move forward on energy and climate in cooperation with President Obama and the Democrats.

California's Prop 23 Against the Ropes

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

According to the latest polling data, Prop. 23 (California's ballot initiative that would severely curtail the state's landmark law regulating greenhouse gas emissions) is unlikely to pass by an 11 point spread.

The

Global Warming Solutions Act - Calif. AB 32

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Bill Polits

The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (California AB 32), signed into law in 2006, mandates that California's greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

In the current election cycle, California's Proposition 23 calls for the suspen ...