More news from today

Palin likens global warming studies to 'snake oil.' Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called studies supporting global climate change a "bunch of snake oil science" Monday during a rare appearance in California, a state that has been at the forefront of environmental regulations. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
U.S. proposes new climate service. The Obama administration proposed a new climate service on Monday that would provide Americans with predictions on how global warming will affect everything from drought to sea levels. Washington Post. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Melting ice alters way of life in Iqaluit. A new report finds that global warming is altering the Arctic ecosystem in a way never seen before by humans. It predicts that the Arctic, which has had sea ice for more than 800,000 years, might lose summer sea ice as soon as 2030, and that the melting Arctic will lead to a 3-to-6°C increase over the next century. London Financial Times, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
$78.5 million effort to keep dangerous carp out of Great Lakes. Federal authorities on Monday presented a $78.5 million plan intended to block Asian carp, a hungry, huge, nonnative fish, from invading the Great Lakes. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Killer pesticide? Layton girl dies, toddler sister hospitalized. The 15-month-old sister of a Layton girl who died Saturday has been hospitalized in critical condition as investigators try to understand the role a pest-control chemical might have played in making the girls and their family sick. Salt Lake Tribune, Utah. 9 February 2010.
Sugary soft drinks fuel tumour? People who drink two or more sweetened soft drinks a week have a much higher risk of pancreatic cancer, an unusual but deadly cancer, researchers reported on Monday. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
India to rule on future of aubergine as country's first genetically modified food. A fierce row over the future of the humble aubergine will reach a climax on Wednesday with a key government decision on the possible future commercial cultivation of genetically-modified strains of the plant. London Guardian, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
GSA set to announce new federal cafeteria contracts. The General Service Administration will announce the winner of the first in a series of new federal cafeteria contracts that encourage the use of healthier food, organic and locally procured food, and advanced recycling and waste management programs. Washington Post. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Ethics debate over blood from newborn safety tests. A critical safety net for babies - that heelprick of blood taken from every newborn - is facing an ethics attack. Scientists consider the leftover samples a treasure, to study questions like which environmental toxics can trigger childhood cancers. But seldom are parents asked for their consent. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
Study links mother's age to child's risk of autism. Women who give birth after age 40 are nearly twice as likely to have a child with autism as those under 25, but it is unlikely that delayed parenthood plays a big role in the current autism epidemic, California researchers reported Monday. Los Angeles Times, California. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Two soft drinks a week doubles your risk of pancreatic cancer, say experts. Consuming as little as two soft drinks a week can almost double the chances of developing the disease, one of the most deadly forms of cancer, a study found. Edinburgh Scotsman, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Soft drink consumption may increase risk of pancreatic cancer. Drinking two or more soft drinks a week can double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, a new study claims. London Daily Telegraph, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Age of mother affects child's autism risk: study. Being an older mother significantly increases the risk of having a child with autism, but being an older father only increases the risk when the mother is under the age of 30, U.S. researchers said on Monday. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Autism risks detailed in children of older mothers. A woman's chance of having a child with autism increase substantially as she ages, but the risk may be less for older dads than previously suggested, a new study analyzing more than 5 million births found. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
Both parents’ ages linked to autism risk. Older mothers are more likely than younger ones to have a child with autism, and older fathers significantly contribute to the risk of the disorder when their partners are under 30, researchers are reporting. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Tax on super-sweet drinks is dead in Congress. Employing a broad-based lobbying effort, the soft drink industry has smothered a plan to tax sugared beverages — a plan advocates said would have reduced obesity and helped finance health care reform. Houston Chronicle, Texas. 9 February 2010.
Heavier boys more likely to hit puberty later. Overweight boys may start puberty later than their leaner peers, new research shows. In girls, the opposite is true: Being heavy increases the likelihood that a girl will start puberty early. Reuters Health. 9 February 2010.
Chinese girl, 9, becomes one of world's youngest mothers. In the western world children are reaching puberty at younger and younger ages - some girls at the age of seven. Many blame rising obesity rates. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Study links estrogen hormone therapy to asthma. Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing asthma after the menopause, scientists said on Monday. Reuters Health. 9 February 2010.
In Haiti, many buildings left standing shouldn't be. Countless buildings pancaked into a heap of dust and rubble with the powerful earthquake that hit Haiti last month. But thousands of buildings are still standing - and some of them are structures that shouldn't be occupied. Morning Edition, NPR. 9 February 2010.
Campaign climate. Sen. Blanche Lincoln's ascendancy to the Agriculture Committee chairmanship was a bad omen for passage of climate-change legislation in 2010 due to her close ties to agricultural producers and processors seen as major contributors of greenhouse gases. Arkansas Times, Arkansas. 9 February 2010.
Earlier springs could destroy delicate balance of UK wildlife, study shows. Recent winters have been ending earlier than ever before, according to a new assessment of Britain's wildlife that reveals global warming could be disrupting the delicate balance of nature. London Guardian, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Studying storm surge risks. Researchers funded by a $170,000 federal grant are focusing on Sarasota and its Gulf of Mexico shoreline to demonstrate how low-lying coastal communities grow more vulnerable to storm surge as sea levels rise. And they are rising, scientists say. Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Florida. 9 February 2010.
German minister sparks government row over nuclear power. German Enivronment Minister Norbert Röttgen has caused a rift in Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government by suggesting that it drop plans to extend the lifetimes of the country's 17 nuclear power stations. Der Spiegel. 9 February 2010.
Using grass for electricity. Energy experts are thinking through how to replace coal that's burned in American power stations. One alternative is to burn plants, because they can produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. And in the Midwest, there's talk of growing millions of acres of grass for biomass. Environment Report. 9 February 2010.
Riding green wave, Philips says let there be LED. Phillips has invested more than 4 billion euros ($5.47 billion) to ride the clean-tech wave. The company is betting on a shift in the lighting market, away from inefficient incandescent light bulbs and toward long-life energy-efficient light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Climate change impact of soil underestimated. Finnish researchers called for a revision of climate change estimates Monday after their findings showed emissions from soil would contribute more to climate warming than previously thought. Agence France-Presse. 9 February 2010.
Amazon rainforest will bear cost of biofuel policies in Brazil. Business-as-usual agricultural expansion to meet biofuel production targets for 2020 will take a heavy toll on Brazil's Amazon rainforest in coming years, undermining the potential emissions savings of transitioning from fossil fuels to biofuels. Mongabay. 9 February 2010.
Legally binding? It's so 2009. Washington's climate policy analysts from environmental groups are quietly abandoning – at least temporarily – the once sacrosanct notion that nations must agree to legally binding emission targets. ClimateWire. 9 February 2010.
U.N. climate panel and chief face credibility siege. Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri and the IPCC are now under intense scrutiny, facing accusations of scientific sloppiness and potential financial conflicts of interest from climate skeptics, right-leaning politicians and even some mainstream scientists. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Coal ad blitz launches new spot as industry sees political gains. An advertising campaign that previously pushed "clean coal" launches new spots focused on jobs and low-cost power – the latest in a three-year, nearly $120 million effort to sell Congress and the White House on coal's future. There are signs that it is working. Greenwire. 9 February 2010.
Rival Australian carbon scheme flawed, report says. A rival scheme by Australia's opposition coalition to cut carbon pollution will fail to meet its emissions targets and prove more costly than a programme backed by the government, research released on Tuesday shows. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
State lawmaker calls for offshore drilling, end to global warming commission. Sen. Andrew Brock says the legislature should move to tap the massive natural gas reserve experts believe is sitting off the North Carolina coast. Lincoln Tribune, North Carolina. 9 February 2010.
Quebec's vehicle emission law disputed. Although introduced with little fanfare in late December, Quebec’s tough new light vehicle emissions regulation has become a political hot potato in Canada after the federal environment minister denounced it as “counter-productive.” New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Barrage could destroy Severn estuary. A similar dam in the Netherlands caused damage almost "beyond repair." Plymouth Western Morning News, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
No offers for Montana's 1/2-billion tons of coal. Montana will have to reconsider its price for developing a state-owned reserve. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
All that wild and woolly weather is part of global warming. Despite the record cold and snow in the Northern Hemisphere, global warming is here to stay, say climatologists. Extremes of weather – short-term meteorology – are part of the big climate picture. Shanghai Daily, China. 9 February 2010.
Climate scientists hit out at 'sloppy' melting glaciers error. Climate scientists who worked on the UN panel on global warming have hit out at "sloppy" colleagues from other disciplines who introduced a mistake about melting glaciers into the landmark 2007 report. London Guardian, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Watering the air. Two new studies show that in America’s heartland, summers are now cooler and wetter than they were in years past. The scientists suggest that the change in the Midwest climate may have happened because of farming. Science News. 9 February 2010.
Scientists: Global warming real despite harsh winter. Global warming may be the last thing on the minds of Delawareans still recovering from the second major snowstorm in a month. But recent record snowfall doesn't clash with the larger trend of the Earth getting warmer, climate scientists said Monday. Wilmington News Journal, Delaware. 9 February 2010.
Northeastern Minnesota's moose population continues to decline. Reasons for the decline are uncertain, but researchers continue to believe a warming climate is responsible. Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota. 9 February 2010.
It may be cold outside but our native wildlife thinks spring is getting earlier all the time. Four out of five animals and plants are breeding earlier because of changes in UK weather patterns, according to a study published in the journal Global Change Biology. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Spring is coming 11 days earlier on average. Temperatures might be barely above freezing with more snow forecast to fall across parts of Britain this week, but spring is actually getting earlier and earlier according to ecologists. London Daily Telegraph, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Spring begins almost two weeks earlier due to global warming, say scientists. Animals and plants in the UK are breeding on average almost 12 days earlier than they were three decades ago, scientists have discovered. Edinburgh Scotsman, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Australia, Antarctica linked by climate. Researchers have found that when the southwestern corner of Australia suffers a drought, a region of eastern Antarctica is often battered with heavy snowfalls. Several climate models suggest that human activity could be strengthening the connection. Science. 9 February 2010.
Welcome to Atlantis and the quest for nitrogen. For Chief Scientist Doug Capone (USC), this trip is just one in a series of voyages aimed at understanding how nitrogen fixation—or the conversion of nitrogen into other forms—affects overall nitrogen levels in marine environments. Scientific American. 9 February 2010.
Scotland set to beat 2011 green power goals. Scotland is on track to beat its target to get 31 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2011 and aims to one day generate all its power from green energies, the country's First Minister said Monday. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Nuclear power giant buys solar firm. Areva, the giant French nuclear company, has bought Ausra, a small manufacturer of solar thermal systems that can be used for electricity production or industrial steam. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Solar sector needs defense to German cuts: EPIA. Europe's solar industry should prepare to defend its lucrative market in Germany without becoming protectionist as incentive cuts loom there, the head of the world's largest photovoltaic industry association said. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Baywa plans more buys to boost green unit. Agricultural products and building materials trader Baywa plans more acquisitions this year to boost its renewable energy business despite Germany's pending 15 percent cuts in solar energy subsidies. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Fuel from Yorke Peninsula stubble plan. The potential for making ultra-clean synthetic diesel fuel from wheat and barley stubble on Yorke Peninsula is being investigated. Yorke Peninsula Country Times, Australia. 9 February 2010.
EU bioethanol outlook brightens, biodiesel dims. The European Union has been expanding the use of ethanol and biodiesel as it seeks to cut emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Demand is expected to grow in 2010, and two massive bioethanol refineries are due to come on line in the first half of the year. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Nuclear giant Areva buys solar company Ausra. The world's largest nuclear plant builder, Areva SA, is entering the solar power industry, with the company announcing on Monday its acquisition of Silicon Valley-based solar thermal player Ausra. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Eco City Vehicles launches electric London taxi. Britain's Eco City Vehicles has launched an electric prototype of the Mercedes Vito taxi – the eVito – which it will trial later this year to test its suitability for use as part of London's iconic black taxi fleet. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Using smokestack gases to pump oil. Carbon dioxide pouring from smokestacks hardly has a reputation as a valuable commodity. But one company has launched a series of projects to see if it can use the refuse of the industrial economy to breathe new life into tired oil fields. Wall Street Journal. 9 February 2010. [Subscription Required]
Will US. see nuclear renaissance? U.S. President Barack Obama caused viewers to do a double take when he called for a boost in nuclear energy in his recent State of the Union address. But while many praised the proposal, opponents doubted the plan would come to fruition. China Radio International, China. 9 February 2010.
Ohio, Duke considering nuclear plant. President Barack Obama's call for a new generation of nuclear power plants could weigh on decisions about a possible new nuclear facility at the former uranium processing reservation in Piketon. Cincinnati Enquirer, Ohio. 9 February 2010.
Co-generation could delay need for coal power plant, says WWF. South Africa could delay one of two planned new coal power stations if energy produced by heavy industry was sold to the national grid, lobby group Worldwide Fund for Nature, or WWF, says. Johannesburg Business Day, South Africa. 9 February 2010.
Propane distributer launches vehicle conversion effort. Propane is cheaper and burns cleaner than gasoline, but it powers just a small fraction of U.S. vehicles. A Santa Rosa company wants to change that by converting cars and trucks to run on the alternative fuel. Santa Rosa Press Democrat, California. 9 February 2010.
Palm oil deal 'a threat to the rainforest'. Hundreds of millions of tonnes of palm oil look set to be pumped into Britain's vehicles despite scientific evidence showing that chopping down rainforests to make way for plantations exacerbates climate change, according to a leaked report. London Independent, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
City dwellers drive deforestation in 21st century. New data appears to show that, at least for the first five years of the 21st century, big block clearings that reflect industrial deforestation have come to dominate, rather than smaller-scale efforts that leave behind long, narrow swaths of cleared land. Scientific American. 9 February 2010.
Billionaire Tory fundraiser rakes in £25m from firm that has wrecked a rainforest. Tory billionaire donor Lord Ashcroft makes millions through a company accused of damaging a rainforest – another blow to the Tories’ environmental credentials. London Daily Mirror, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Global warming law under attack. There's a new ballot initiative underway that is trying to repeal the nation's leading global warming law. The law seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by close to a third by 2020. Environment Report. 9 February 2010.
US Fish and Wildlife Service says pika not imperiled by climate change. The Obama administration has determined that the American pika is not threatened by climate change. The decision underscores how the Endangered Species Act has become the latest battlefield in the fight over global warming. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Federal climate service created to provide data. NOAA will create a new climate change office to gather and provide data to governments, industry and academia as part of a broad federal effort to prepare for long-term changes to the planet, officials said Monday. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
New federal climate change agency forming. The Obama administration on Monday proposed a new agency to study and report on the changing climate. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
New climate service aims to help business adapt. A proposed new U.S. NOAA Climate Service is meant to help businesses adapt to the impact of climate change, and to spur development of new technologies to cope with it, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Monday. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
NOAA reorganizes with eye toward assessing effects of climate change. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration launched a new climate service today, a reorganization effort aimed at improving long-range assessments of climate change, sea-level rise and severe weather. Greenwire. 9 February 2010.
US government plans new climate service. US President Barack Obama's administration announced plans Monday for a new office handling climate change, aiming to help businesses chart future plans as the nation shifts to a greener economy. Agence France-Presse. 9 February 2010.
Asheville's NCDC to be part of federal climate office. The National Climatic Data Center will be the lynchpin of a new national office to help forecast the changes to the climate that are affecting sea levels, droughts, ice sheets and weather patterns worldwide. Asheville Citizen-Times, North Carolina. 9 February 2010.
Report blasts Abbott climate plan. THE Coalition's climate change policy would cost taxpayers more than twice as much as the government's emissions trading scheme, an analysis has found. Melbourne Age, Australia. 9 February 2010.
Carbon auction plans under way. The federal government is pressing ahead with plans to set up the auction systems under its carbon pollution reduction scheme, although the bill is blocked in Parliament. Melbourne Age, Australia. 9 February 2010.
'Brave' Turnbull blasts Liberal plan to cut emissions. Malcolm Turnbull has warned that Tony Abbott's proposed emissions reduction fund is a recipe for fiscal recklessness and political pork barrelling. The former opposition leader contrasted this with the government's trading scheme. Melbourne Age, Australia. 9 February 2010.
India seeks international allies for high quality climate research. India plans to stress high quality and focused research on various aspects of climate change. The country will be seeking international collaboration to achieve the same. All Headline News. 9 February 2010.
Making solar power portable. A growing number of business travelers, out of practicality or concern for the environment, use portable renewable energy devices — primarily portable solar panels — to power up their electronics when they work in places that offer little or no access to electricity. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
The silver screen goes green. Kaufman Astoria Studios recently agreed to switch from traditional heating oil to "Greenheat," a new blend of petroleum and biodiesel produced by a Brooklyn-based company. New York Daily News, New York. 9 February 2010.
Are the undisclosed ingredients in lipstick bad for you? Makeup - many of us love it - but most of us have no idea that some of our favorite beauty products contain harsh chemicals and potentially harmful ingredients. Daily Green. 9 February 2010.
Herbal cures `a toxic mix.' Many herbal medicines are contaminated with potentially lethal doses of heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, belying their reputation as low-risk "natural" products. Sydney Australian, Australia. 9 February 2010.
New EU organic logo set for Europe's supermarkets. The European Union on Monday unveiled a new Green logo that will have to be shown on all pre-packaged organic products produced in Europe from July on. Agence France-Presse. 9 February 2010.
India is sharply divided over introduction of Bt Brinjal. With Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's final decision on Bt Brinjal expected Wednesday, Indian scientists, politicians and environmental actitivists remain sharply divided over the issue of allowing the genetically modified vegetable to hit the market. Indo-Asian News Service. 9 February 2010.
India delays GM vegetable start for further tests. India has put off allowing the launch of its first genetically modified vegetable, saying it would adopt a cautious approach and wait for more scientific studies on the impact of the new variety of eggplant. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
India rejects first GM vegetable, hampering Monsanto expansion. India’s government rejected the nation’s first genetically modified food after protests by farmers, hampering the expansion of seed makers including Monsanto Co. in the world’s second-most populous nation. Bloomberg News. 9 February 2010.
Alarm raised over GM crop samples. Genetically-modified chilli and soybeans have been found growing in farms in the North and Central Plains, fuelling concerns over the possible spread of the banned crops. Bangkok Post, Thailand. 9 February 2010.
India awaits go-ahead on first GM crop despite scientists' warnings. India will decide tomorrow whether to approve its first genetically modified food crop. It is a move that supporters argue will help to avert a global food crisis but which critics say is being rushed through recklessly. London Times, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Pollution is taking 10 years off the lives of Londoners'. Professor Frank Kelly, an environmental health expert from King's College, London, stressed that an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people in the capital were dying early each year due to pollution. London Evening Standard, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Church of England sells Vedanta stake over human rights concerns. Activists believe Vedanta's open-cast mine on Niyamgiri mountain will destroy the area's ecosystem and threaten the future of the 8,000-strong Dongria Kondh tribe, who depend on the hills for their crops and water. London Guardian, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Four 'eco-towns' earmarked for government funds. Four "eco-towns" due to be built in England are to receive a funding boost of £60m to be spread over the next two years, the government has announced. BBC. 9 February 2010.
Welcome to the dear, very green place. Scotland's largest city has launched an ambitious bid to be named Europe's "Green Capital"–but has admitted it has little chance of winning. Edinburgh Scotsman, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Parents vent anger over E coli school closure at packed public meeting. Doctors have been criticised for turning away children with E coli symptoms from their surgeries following an outbreak at a primary school. Hounslow Guardian, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Baltic Sea: A vulnerable ecosystem. Senior leaders from Baltic states are to meet Wednesday in Helsinki to save what organisers say is one of the world's most threatened seas. The Baltic has a very limited ability to flush out pollutants into the larger waters of the North Sea, making it an extremely vulnerable ecosystem. Agence France-Presse. 9 February 2010.
Developer accused of damaging ecology of Neva Bay. Local scientists are claiming that the Marine Facade project and other construction on reclaimed land is a threat to the ecological situation in the Neva Bay. St. Petersburg Times, Russia. 9 February 2010.
Nigeria releases N5 billion to tackle deforestation. The Nigerian government on Friday said it has released N5 billion to tackle the problem of deforestation across the country. Lagos Daily Independent, Nigeria. 9 February 2010.
Man accused of dumping medical waste. The Green Scorpions have arrested a Free State man believed to be at the centre of the illegal dumping of medical waste in the Welkom area, environmental authorities said on Monday. South African Press Association, South Africa. 9 February 2010.
Disposal sites for industrial waste. The department of trade and industry has identified two disposal sites for hazardous and non-hazardous waste in Pasakha, Phuentsholing, which could come to the rescue of the mounting industrial waste produced by factories in Pasakha. Thimphu Kuensel, Bhutan. 9 February 2010.
China finds 170 more tons of tainted milk powder. China has found another 170 tons of melamine-contaminated milk powder in an emergency crackdown that has made it increasingly clear many products discovered in the country’s 2008 milk scandal were repackaged for sale instead of destroyed. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
Villagers in fear of chemical zone miasma. Three thousand villagers in South China's Guangdong Province were told they could return to their homes Sunday afternoon, just hours after an emergency evacuation triggered by a gas leak from a nearby chemical plant. Beijing Global Times, China. 9 February 2010.
China says water pollution double official figure. A new Chinese government survey of the country's environmental problems has shown water pollution levels in 2007 were more than twice the government's official estimate, largely because agricultural waste was ignored. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
China finds tons of tainted milk powder. Chinese authorities say they are trying to track down nearly 100 tons of milk powder tainted with melamine, as the government struggles to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 milk contamination that killed six children and sickened about 300,000. Wall Street Journal. 9 February 2010. [Subscription Required]
China points to farms as major pollution risk. China on Tuesday named pollution from farms as a major cause for concern, as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases released its first nationwide survey on sources of environmental degradation. Agence France-Presse. 9 February 2010.
Abhisit looks to Japan for pollution solutions. Thailand will adopt the success and experience of Japan in solving the Map Ta Phut industrial estate impasse, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says. Bangkok Post, Thailand. 9 February 2010.
Our beloved rivers of waste. Standing on the edge of any of Jakarta’s canals is saddening; what once would have been a beautiful and serene place is now a bed of pollution, and the cause of illnesses such as typhoid, dysentery, cholera, E.coli-poisoning and amoebiasis. Jakarta Post, Indonesia. 9 February 2010.
Pipe dreams for cleaner water. With the poor water quality denying access to drinking water for millions of people, plans are underway to fix Jakarta’s water woes. Jakarta Post, Indonesia. 9 February 2010.
Activists argue that “dams will kill the mighty Mekong.” Losses in aquaculture and farm production could easily outstrip any profit from power generation if planned Mekong River dams are built in China, Laos and Cambodia, says a Can Tho University professor. VietNam Net. 9 February 2010.
Amnesty demands halt to India mine plans. Amnesty International demanded Tuesday a halt to plans by British resource giant Vedanta to mine in an Indian forest held sacred by tribal people. Agence France-Presse. 9 February 2010.
Karnataka working on air quality atlas to locate pollution hotspots. Karnataka is working on preparing an air quality atlas for the state to generate information on pollution status and locate pollution hotspots, a senior government official said. Press Trust of India, India. 9 February 2010.
Vic refinery leaks petrol near wetlands. A petrol leak at an oil refinery near Melbourne wetlands has revived calls for greater controls over large industries in the city's west. Western Australia Today, Australia. 9 February 2010.
Massive oil tank leaking at refinery in Melbourne's west. Fire and emergency crews are continuing to monitor a leaking 3.5 million-litre tank of unleaded petrol at an oil refinery surrounded by wetlands in Melbourne's west. Australian Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
Dam fit to burst as storm deluge delivers. Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast is overflowing after a massive weekend deluge that has delivered more than 22,000 megalitres of water in less than 48 hours. Water is currently spilling over the dam's wall and will be slowly released into the Nerang River over the coming days. Brisbane Times, Australia. 9 February 2010.
Dams not an option in Labor food plan. A research report by the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce that found there was insufficient water to make northern Australia a food bowl for the nation did not consider building dams because it was against Labor policy. Sydney Australian, Australia. 9 February 2010.
Chávez declares an ‘electricity emergency.’ Despite its huge crude oil reserves, Venezuela relies on hydroelectricity for 70 percent of its power, and a drought has affected power supplies since late last year. Reuters. 9 February 2010.
Mexico City's lofty goal helps clear the air. Once known as a smog-choked place to avoid, Mexico City has seen its air quality improve drastically since the early '90s. But the air still poses a threat to those who live and work there. Toronto Star, Ontario. 9 February 2010.
First Samsung...could Vestas be next? Vestas, the world's largest maker of wind turbines, could be the next green giant to set up shop in Ontario. Toronto Star, Ontario. 9 February 2010.
Forest industry well-placed for bio-products push. The Forest Products Association of Canada recently published the results of a study entitled The Future Bio-pathways Project, which outlines an innovative and visionary path forward. Montreal Gazette, Quebec. 9 February 2010.
Power plant explosion heightens concerns over Oakville project. A citizens' group opposed to a 900-megawatt, gas-fired power plant in east Oakville says the weekend explosion of a smaller generating station in Connecticut underscores the need to keep such facilities a safe distance from homes and schools. Hamilton Spectator, Ontario. 9 February 2010.
Governors meet at White House about Asian carp. Federal authorities are proposing to control, but not close, Illinois shipping locks in an effort to prevent the Asian carp from infiltrating the Great Lakes. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm did not agree with the plan. Christian Science Monitor. 9 February 2010.
Asian carp in the great lakes? This means war! There are illegal immigrants are on the loose in the Midwest. Originally hailing from Asia, they're about 3 ft. (90 cm) long, weigh up to 100 lb. (45 kg) and are known to resist capture. Once they establish residency, they can eat you out of house and home. Time Magazine. 9 February 2010.
EPA to update Pines residents about coal ash contamination. Residents of Pines are concerned that radiation from fly ash in their yards poses a health risk and that a coal ash landfill nearby is causing water pollution that could make it to Lake Michigan. Merrillville Post-Tribune, Indiana. 9 February 2010.
DOE's Chu takes R&D budget request to House science panel. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will defend his department's hefty research and development budget request this week to House lawmakers. Greenwire. 9 February 2010.
Gov. Granholm calls Obama's Asian carp plan too weak. The Obama administration proposed Monday a $78.5 million plan to try to prevent the voracious Asian carp from getting into the Great Lakes, but Gov. Jennifer Granholm said it falls short of what's needed to protect the fragile ecosystem from another threat. Detroit News, Michigan. 9 February 2010.
Tritium levels soar in Vermont Yankee test well. The state Department of Health announced Saturday that water tested in a well near the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor contained so much tritium that it approached that of reactor process water. Brattleboro Reformer, Vermont. 9 February 2010.
Councilor's plan hikes odor fines. City councilors agreed last night to take more time to review a proposal that would allow the city's health director to impose thousands of dollars in fines on any party that violates rules and regulations by creating air pollution or landfill odors from the emission of hydrogen sulfide. Newburyport Daily News, Massachusetts. 9 February 2010.
Criminal probe is launched in Conn. plant blast. Authorities launched a criminal investigation Monday into the cause of an explosion that killed five people at a power plant under construction, saying they couldn't rule out negligence. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
Explosion unlikely to slow gas plant development. The Connecticut explosion that killed five people won't slow the development of natural gas power plants. But it will likely lead to more scrutiny of a technique used to clear air from gas lines. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
Looking for criminal negligence at Kleen Energy plant. Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano of Middletown said a search warrant had been issued that gave the local police the authority to comb through the wreckage for signs of what caused the blast at the $985 million plant, which was under construction. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Dry cleaner gone in Whitesboro, but toxins remain. The site of a former dry cleaner in Whitesboro might soon be listed on a state list of hazardous waste sites. Utica Observer-Dispatch, New York. 9 February 2010.
Residents in plume area get options. The state has issued a list of approved vendors and a price limit for Pompton Lakes residents who want to hire their own contractors rather than rely on the company chosen by DuPont to install venting systems to remove toxic vapors from their homes. Bergen County Record, New Jersey. 9 February 2010.
Bernards asks state to require more environmental testing at Millington Quarry. A consultant's report to the state calls for additional and more stringent testing of soil and water at the Millington Quarry, and cites elevated levels of arsenic in a pond on the property. New Brunswick Home News Tribune, New Jersey. 9 February 2010.
Loudoun conservation easements grew 5 percent in 2009. Loudoun County expanded the number of acres under conservation easements by 5 percent last year, according to the Piedmont Environmental Council. The effort has provided a way to protect important sources of drinking water. Washington Post. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
After feds step in, DEP cites Massey dam. After federal officials threatened to step in, the state Department of Environmental Protection late last week cited Massey Energy for problems with the expansion of its controversial Brushy Fork coal-slurry impoundment in Raleigh County. Charleston Gazette, West Virginia. 9 February 2010.
Camp Sibert cleanup continues at Site 2A. Cleanup crews are back at the old World War II Camp Sibert area cleaning up hazardous material in one site, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Monday. Gadsden Times, Alabama. 9 February 2010.
Rivers Coalition appeals federal judge Army Corps ruling. The Rivers Coalition Defense Fund board of directors voted unanimously to appeal a federal court judge’s ruling rejecting the organization’s attempt to make the Army Corps of Engineers stop dumping polluted Lake Okeechobee water in the St. Lucie River estuary. TC Palm, Florida. 9 February 2010.
In Madison, salting streets means choosing between clear roads and clean lakes. Despite 35 years of effort, the levels of sodium and chloride in some Madison-area lakes and city wells have risen significantly, according to an annual assessment of salt use by the public health department. Madison Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin. 9 February 2010.
S.H. Bell Co. in East Liverpool says it will lower its dust emissions. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said the S.H. Bell Co. has agreed to take substantial new steps to reduce manganese dust emissions at its two ferro-alloys facilities here. Youngstown Vindicator, Ohio. 9 February 2010.
Ohio EPA, S.H. Bell reach agreement on emissions. Officials with S.H. Bell Company and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) have entered into a voluntary agreement designed to better control emissions at the S.H. Bell plant in East Liverpool. East Liverpool Review, Ohio. 9 February 2010.
Chemical spill suspected as Beechmont vapor cause. Authorities suspect a chemical spill — not contaminated groundwater — caused pungent vapors that seeped into some homes in the Beechmont neighborhood last week, sending at least one person to a hospital with a diagnosis of “chemical exposure.” Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky. 9 February 2010.
Boy rushed to hospital after chemical spill. One boy is sent to the hospital after a chemical spill in a Louisville neighborhood. Now, neighbors are demanding answers why it took four days for officials to notify them about the spill. Louisville WLKY, Kentucky. 9 February 2010.
Emotions spill over at chemical spill meeting. Emotions spilled over at a meeting about a chemical spill. Dozens of residents showed up to voice their anger and demand answers from government officials, as well as the company that's claiming responsibility for the incident. Louisville WLKY, Kentucky. 9 February 2010.
EPA, state sue city over waste water discharge. Plaintiffs claim the Public Works Department contributed to the discharge of pollutants from the Memphis' sanitary sewer system and two wastewater treatment plants in violation of state environmental permits issued to the city. Memphis Daily News, Tennessee. 9 February 2010.
Two Franklin factories face fines from EPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined two Franklin manufacturers more than $56,000 for years of not filling federal documentation about the amounts of hazardous chemicals they have at their plants. Nashville Tennessean, Tennessee. 9 February 2010.
Feds, state sue Memphis over clean water. The federal government and the state of Tennessee have filed suit accusing the city of Memphis of violating federal and state clean-water laws. Memphis Commercial Appeal, Tennessee. 9 February 2010.
Biodiesel processing system to save Clarksville money. Oftentimes, "going green" means accepting a trade-off in the form of higher costs. But a new biodiesel processing system might allow the city of Clarksville to have their cake and burn it too. Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, Tennessee. 9 February 2010.
Pollution clouded Iowa early this weekend. This past weekend, a large, high-pressure system forced warm air over a thin layer of cool air near the surface, holding stagnant, polluted air in place. Spencer Daily Reporter, Iowa. 9 February 2010.
White River talks to proceed. Arkansas and Missouri will continue to discuss sharing water quality data and collaborating on the development of new pollution standards for lakes within the White River Basin, according to a report released by both states Monday. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri. 9 February 2010.
Better hazmat plan for fires sought. More than three years after a huge mulch fire threatened to pollute San Antonio's water supply, the Edwards Aquifer Authority is considering new rules for the storage of chemicals above the aquifer's recharge zone. San Antonio Express-News, Texas. 9 February 2010.
Fracking elicits complaints but no violations. As Cathy McMullen surveyed the Rayzor Ranch gas well site on Friday afternoon from nearby McKenna Park, she felt her eyes water and nose burn. Denton Record-Chronicle, Texas. 9 February 2010.
Water woes will keep Azle schools, restaurants closed Tuesday. Azle schools, restaurants, and day care centers with kitchens will be shut down until further notice following a water main break Saturday night that affected 4,600 customers. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas. 9 February 2010.
Wildlife agency takes up lead ammo ban this week. Rob Domenech and his research associates didn’t know what they were looking for when they started testing the blood of golden eagles along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front three years ago. Billings Gazette, Montana. 9 February 2010.
Hill Air Force Base proposes $15.6 million enviro budget. Environmental restoration managers at Hill Air Force Base expect to undertake eight projects in the next 18 months aimed at cleaning up environmental damage. Salt Lake Deseret Morning News, Utah. 9 February 2010.
Bill takes aim at NM oil and gas rules. A lawmaker from northwest New Mexico, home to one of the nation's largest natural gas basins, is taking aim at state regulations for oil and natural gas producers. Las Cruces Sun-News, New Mexico. 9 February 2010.
Green transportation projects see federal funding. The state of Washington is among the first of 43 states to receive federal money for green transportation. Epoch Times. 9 February 2010.
Company fined for Bellevue chemical spill. The state has fined a Bellevue project $9,000 for chemical spills in the summer of 2009 and has issued a citation for failure to report the first. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington. 9 February 2010.
Supporters cheer Oregon House vote to ban off-shore drilling for 10 years. Oregon's coastal waters -- at least the 3-mile-wide strip that the state controls -- would remain off-limits to oil and gas drilling for the next decade under a bill that passed the House on Monday. Portland Oregonian, Oregon. 9 February 2010.
Toxins in Kettleman City water. County supervisors are looking to correct a water problem in Kettleman City. It's just another issue residents are concerned with in the town. Fresno KFSN TV, California. 9 February 2010.
State, Lake County receive poor grades on Tobacco Policy Report Card. Although it's known for its clean air, Lake County got dismal grades on the American Lung Association's latest Tobacco Policy Report Card. Lakeport Lake County News, California. 9 February 2010.
Boxer vows help for those with bad water. Elected officials have pledged to help provide safe, clean drinking water to thousands of residents in the eastern Coachella Valley following a Desert Sun report that revealed widespread arsenic-tainted groundwater in the area. Palm Springs Desert Sun, California. 9 February 2010.
Monning pushes feds to release pesticide ingredients. Two California state legislators are pushing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take quick action on its plan to mandate disclosure of all ingredients in pesticides. Santa Cruz Sentinel, California. 9 February 2010.
San Francisco joins the Club of Green Financiers. The idea is that county governments front the capital cost for homeowners to make green improvements, such as installing solar panels or efficient furnaces. Homeowners pay off their debt through a slight annual increase in their property-tax bills. New York Times. 9 February 2010. [Registration Required]
Whales suspect in struggles of Prince William Sound herring. Something is holding down the herring population of Prince William Sound, and marine scientists are tailing some rather large suspects: humpback whales. Associated Press. 9 February 2010.
'Third-hand smoke' could damage health. Lingering residue from tobacco smoke which clings to upholstery, clothing and the skin releases cancer-causing agents, a new study shows. Berkeley scientists in the US ran lab tests and found "substantial levels" of toxic chemicals on smoke-exposed material. BBC. 9 February 2010.
Scientists warn of new risk from cigarettes–third-hand smoke. Nicotine residue on clothing, furniture and wallpaper can react with a common indoor pollutant to generate dangerous cancer chemicals, scientists claim. Edinburgh Scotsman, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
Nicotine study sparks 'third-hand smoke' fears. Scientists have found that significant quantities of cancer-causing chemicals are produced on indoor surfaces contaminated by tobacco smoke even when a smoker has been away from the room for hours or even days. London Independent, United Kingdom. 9 February 2010.
'Thirdhand smoke' may pose health risk. When tobacco smoke seeps into carpets, clothes and furniture, it leaves behind more than just a telltale smell, according to a new study. Discovery Channel. 9 February 2010.
Smoking: Once, twice, three times a danger. You know smoking is bad for you. You know inhaling someone else's smoke is bad for you. Now a US study says third-hand smoke - tobacco residue clinging to surfaces - is also bad for you. South African Press Association, South Africa. 9 February 2010.
Third-hand smoke contains carcinogens too, study says. A team of researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that remnants of a smoke don't just inertly settle onto surfaces, they can react with a common gas (nitrous acid) to create carcinogenic compounds known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Scientific American. 9 February 2010.
After the smoke clears. Nonsmokers may have a new worry—thirdhand smoke. Nicotine residues on indoor surfaces can react with nitrous acid in the air to form carcinogenic nitrosamines not present in fresh tobacco smoke, chemists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have demonstrated. Chemical & Engineering News. 9 February 2010.
Thirdhand smoke forms indoor carcinogens, Lawrence Berkeley lab scientists report. A common indoor air chemical reacts with residues of tobacco smoke clinging to clothing, skin and surfaces to form potent carcinogens, researchers at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory reported in a study published Monday. Contra Costa Times, California. 9 February 2010.
Cigarette use drops. Colorado is doing better than expected in cutting cigarette use, thanks to a state law and stricter local ordinances like Pueblo’s. Possibly more important, teen smoking also has been reduced. Pueblo Chieftan, Colorado. 9 February 2010.
Suit over secondhand smoke targets real estate broker. Alyssa Burrage says she was smoked out of her new $405,000 condominium. Boston Globe, Massachusetts. 9 February 2010.