FEDERAL STUDY BACKS CALIFORNIA’S ROLE IN SETTING EMISSIONS STANDARDS; AMERICANS FAMILIES ON THE HOMEFRONT; FILMWEEK
FEDERAL STUDY BACKS CALIFORNIA’S ROLE IN SETTING EMISSIONS STANDARDS
In a setback for automakers, a government panel said Thursday the Environmental Protection Agency lacks authority to stop states from adopting tough vehicle-emission standards similar to those in California. The National Academies' National Research Council said that California's role in setting emission standards has been scientifically valid and necessary because of persistent pollution in parts of the nation's most populous state. The study, eagerly anticipated by the auto industry and environmentalists, examined emissions standards for mobile sources such as cars, light trucks and construction vehicles. California, which began regulating pollution before the federal government, has the authority under the Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle pollution standards. States can adopt either the federal standards or California's rules, and some Northeastern and Western states have followed California's lead. Ted Chen talks with David Greene, Member of the Committee on State Practices in Setting Mobile Source Emissions Standards (panel that conducted the study) for the National Academies, and Senior Research Staff for Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Jerry Martin, Director of Communications for the California Air Resources Board or CARB, and Matt Haber, Deputy Air Division Director, U.S. EPA Pacific Southwest Region.
AMERICANS FAMILIES ON THE HOMEFRONT
Guest host Ted Chen talks with military wives Janelle Field, and Lauren Sklenka about how they cope with daily life while their husbands serve in Iraq. Also joining Ted is Kristin Henderson whose new book While They’re at War: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront tells the story of what life is like for military spouses whose loved ones are deployed in the war in Iraq. She exposes the often-difficult aspects of military culture on and off America's bases. She is a journalist, an author, and a military spouse. Henderson participates in the Marine Corps' family readiness program, the Key Volunteer Network.
FILMWEEK
Guest Host Ted Chen and critics Jean Oppenheimer of New Times and Andy Klein, film editor and chief critic for both CityBeat and ValleyBeat discuss this week's new releases, including V for Vendetta, She's the Man, Find Me Guilty, Don't Come Knocking, Thank You for Smoking, The Zodiac, Don't Tell, Gilles' Wife and Trudell.