NC State Experts Can Discuss Greenhouse Gas Risks

North Carolina State University experts can shed light on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement April 17 that carbon dioxide and five other “greenhouse gases” are contributing to global climate change and therefore pose a threat to human health and welfare. While utilities, factory farms and other industry sectors are key contributors to overall greenhouse emissions, EPA specifically focused on cars and trucks as a source of greenhouse gases, saying, “motor vehicle engines contribute … to the threat of climate change.” Experts view EPA’s announcement as a first step toward regulations that will attempt to address emissions from automobiles and their related health and ecological concerns.

NC State has greenhouse gas emissions experts who can offer insight into the risks posed by greenhouse gases and the role motor vehicles play in emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Their understanding of the issues will help outline the questions EPA will face as it moves forward with its regulatory development process.

Dr. Christopher Frey, professor of civil engineering, 919/515-1155 or frey@ncsu.edu, is an expert on transportation and air quality issues who has studied greenhouse gas emissions for more than a decade. Frey is an internationally recognized expert on air quality and health risks, and also sits on EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.

Dr. Nagui Rouphail, professor of civil engineering, 919/515-1154 or rouphail@eos.ncsu.edu, is an expert on transportation systems and their interaction with mobile sources of air pollution and related greenhouse gas emissions. Rouphail’s research focuses on how vehicle and traffic operations affect emissions of greenhouse gases. Rouphail is also the director of the Institute for Transportation Research and Education.

Dr. Viney P. Aneja, professor of air quality and environmental technology, 919/515-7808 or viney_aneja@ncsu.edu, is an expert on air quality and environmental policy issues. Aneja’s research focuses on issues related to air quality, including emissions, transport and the
fate of pollutants in the atmosphere. Aneja also serves on the EPA Science Advisory Board’s Environmental Engineering Committee. “Emissions from utilities and an array of other sources, including concentrated animal feeding operations, are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, so they are facing new regulatory challenges as well,” Aneja says.

– shipman –