Texas high court agrees to rehear Exxon case AP (November 20, 2009) DALLAS (AP) - The Texas Supreme Court on Friday said it will again hear arguments in the nearly 15-year legal battle over accusations that Exxon Mobil Corp. loaded abandoned wells with junk, sludge and even explosives to keep other companies from drilling there.
Wyoming challenges Yellowstone snowmobile rules AP (November 20, 2009) CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The state of Wyoming has filed a new federal lawsuit seeking to block the National Park Service from restricting snowmobile numbers in Yellowstone National Park.
Cause of huge Wyo. refinery spill happened before AP (November 20, 2009) CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A storage tank roof that sank at a Sinclair Oil refinery earlier this year and caused Wyoming's biggest spill in decades wasn't unprecedented: A storage tank roof also sank at the refinery in 2007.
3 Mo. regions violate air quality standards AP (November 19, 2009) ST. LOUIS (AP) - The St. Louis and Kansas City areas, along with part of southeast Missouri, have violated 2008 air quality standards and may be forced to impose new restrictions, the state said Thursday.
SPIN METER: Feds buy green cars, auction rejects AP (November 18, 2009) (AP) - If you missed out on Washington's cash incentive program to trade in your old clunker, Uncle Sam still has a deal for you: The government will sell you rejects from its own fleet, even as it makes dealers scrap all those old cars that were collected from the public.
Calif. requires TVs to be more energy efficient AP (November 18, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Power-hungry TVs will be banned from store shelves in California after state regulators Wednesday adopted a first-in-the-nation mandate to reduce electricity demand.
Corn fungus fears easing in North and South Dakota AP (November 17, 2009) (AP) - A fungus problem with the potential to create widespread damage to corn crops in the Dakotas for perhaps the first time in memory might not be as ominous as first feared.
Groups file suit to stop Grand Canyon uranium mine AP (November 17, 2009) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Environmental groups are suing the federal Bureau of Land Management over its decision to allow a uranium mine to reopen north of the Grand Canyon.
Judge raises concerns over Columbia salmon plan AP (November 17, 2009) GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - The federal judge overseeing the balancing act between salmon and Columbia Basin dams said he doesn't think he can consider new steps the Obama administration wants to take.
Judge rejects global warming trial in auction case AP (November 17, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A federal judge said Monday he won't allow global warming to be put on trial in the case of a college student charged with disrupting an auction of oil and gas drilling leases.
Energy Dept. walks the walk with smart building AP (November 17, 2009) GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) - Homes and office buildings consume three-quarters of U.S. electricity, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory wants to lower that figure by erecting what it believes will be the largest "net-zero" energy building in the world - one that produces as much power
Texas officials: We're running out of water AP (November 17, 2009) FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - With the Texas population expected to nearly double over the next 50 years, lawmakers and water experts gathered Monday to convey an important message: We're running out of water.
Kansas launches $34M energy efficiency program AP (November 17, 2009) TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas launched a new energy efficiency program Tuesday to make low-interest loans available to several thousand home owners and small businesses for upgrading insulation, installing new furnaces and sealing air-leaking doors and windows.
Canadian Solar 3Q more than doubles, shares jump AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Canadian Solar Inc. on Tuesday said its third-quarter profit more than doubled on a hefty foreign currency exchange gain, boosting shares in premarket trading. The solar products maker also forecast a surge in 2010 shipments, as it expects demand to rebound.
Talk of Wyoming wind tax whips up debate AP (November 16, 2009) CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Wyoming lawmakers will soon take up the thorny issue of whether to impose new taxes on wind energy development, a proposal that developers say could stunt the fledgling industry's growth in Wyoming.
Phoenix announced as new home of Chinese solar biz AP (November 16, 2009) PHOENIX (AP) - A Chinese-owned manufacturer of solar panels plans to build a 100,000 square-foot headquarters and manufacturing plant in the Phoenix area.
Georgia land conservation to get $5.5 million AP (November 16, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia land conservation projects will receive $5.5 million from a massive federal funding bill.
New biomass plant in works near Marquette AP (November 13, 2009) MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - A company has announced plans to manufacture biomass energy cubes at a technology park near Marquette.
Libby official: EPA must pay for lost buildings AP (November 13, 2009) BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A city councilman in Libby said Thursday that the Environmental Protection Agency owes the asbestos-plagued Superfund community $2 million for the demolition of several contaminated buildings.
Calif water deal no quick fix for struggling farms AP (November 13, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was promoting a complex legislative package to rebuild California's water system, he often appeared alongside farmers who were unable to cultivate their land amid a third year of drought and federal pumping restrictions.
Environmentalists sue over huge Calif. development AP (November 13, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A coalition of environmentalists filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop the development of a 5,000-acre resort community on the sprawling Tejon Ranch property some 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
Utah OKs settlement with waste incinerator AP (November 13, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah regulators on Thursday approved a nearly $520,000 settlement over environmental violations at the state's only large-scale incinerator for hazardous waste.
Warming drives off Cape Cod's namesake, other fish AP (November 12, 2009) PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Fishermen have known for years that they've had to steam farther and farther from shore to find the cod, haddock and winter flounder that typically fill dinner plates in New England.
Chemical BPA in workers linked to sex problems AP (November 11, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Male factory workers in China who got very high doses of a chemical that's been widely used in hard plastic bottles had high rates of sexual problems, researchers reported Wednesday.
Property owner near TVA ash spill `living in hell' AP (November 11, 2009) KINGSTON, Tenn. (AP) - Ten months after millions of cubic yards of coal ash spilled from a Tennessee Valley Authority dam, Gary Topmiller and his wife, Pam, said they are trapped in their home across the Emory River from the site and "living in hell."
Carbon storage? Not under my house! AP (November 10, 2009) BARENDRECHT, Netherlands (AP) - The people of this small Dutch town are not against pumping tons of carbon dioxide into the ground to fight global warming.
Mo. AG sues businesses over wastewater in lake AP (November 10, 2009) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A restaurant and two condominium developments near the Lake of the Ozarks allowed sewage to be dumped into the popular central Missouri lake, state Attorney General Chris Koster claims in two lawsuits filed Monday.
Calif. governor pushes $11B water bond plan, dams AP (November 10, 2009) FRIANT, Calif (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a far-reaching water bond intended to rebuild California's crumbling water system and fund new dams to save up the precious resource for dry years.
Mexican environmentalists denounce beach ruling AP (November 06, 2009) MEXICO CITY (AP) - Environmentalists expressed outrage Thursday after a Mexican judge upheld a requirement that they post a $1.1 million bond to pursue a suit against a project to rebuild Cancun beaches with tons of sand extracted from the Caribbean.
Delegates discuss way forward in UN climate talks AP (November 06, 2009) BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - U.N. climate negotiators in Spain are discussing a formula for securing agreement among 192 nations on tackling global warming during a last day of talks before next month's major climate conference in Denmark.
Senator: No stimulus money for US-China wind farm AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - A Democratic senator is calling on the Obama administration to reject an expected request for economic stimulus money for a $1.5 billion West Texas wind energy project.
Senate Democrats advance climate bill without GOP AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Ignoring a Republican boycott, Senate Democrats pushed a precedent-setting climate bill through a key committee Thursday.
EPA to impose standards on PVC plant emissions AP (November 05, 2009) NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency will set new nationwide emission standards for makers of polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as the plastic PVC, under a settlement with environmental groups announced Thursday.
Valley in Washington state prepares for flood AP (November 04, 2009) AUBURN, Wash. (AP) - On a sunny fall Saturday, friends and neighbors gathered at Bobby Kendall's place to help him build a 2-foot barrier of sandbags around his suburban Seattle home. Such get-togethers have become a familiar ritual on the block in recent weeks as people lend a hand to neighbors to barricade homes.
California lawmakers approve $11B water overhaul AP (November 04, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers have passed an $11 billion overhaul of the state's antiquated water system, ending decades of debate over how to supply a soaring population while preserving the fragile environment.
Feds, environmental groups argue for roadless rule AP (November 04, 2009) CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Attorneys for the federal government and environmentalists argue that a federal appeals court should uphold a ban on new roads in national forests known as the "roadless rule."
SC man gets 3 years in prison for sex with horse AP (November 04, 2009) CONWAY, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina man caught on video having sex with a horse was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison after pleading guilty for the second time in two years to abusing the creature.
Farmland released from conservation program AP (November 04, 2009) (AP) - Here's a look at the states where the most land is being released from the federal Conservation Reserve Program:
EPA adds US Magnesium to Superfund site list AP (November 03, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has added the U.S. Magnesium site near Utah's Great Salt Lake to the federal Superfund list.
Pipeline company grants to help Ind. bird habitats AP (November 03, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Seven new grants from a company building a huge natural gas pipeline will help protect bird habitats in Indiana.
Calif. lawmakers haggle over potential water fixes AP (November 03, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Lawmakers kept haggling Tuesday in their effort to alleviate California's water woes, as the Legislature prepared to vote on a package of bills that appears to lack the support needed to pass.
Python hunters bag 37 in Florida hunting season AP (November 03, 2009) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Expert snake hunters snared 37 pythons in South Florida during a trial hunting season to eradicate the invasive species.
Bug spray likely killed infant, injured 2 in SC AP (November 03, 2009) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Bug spray that produces a fog to kill insects is likely to blame for the death of a 10-month-old South Carolina boy, and his 2-year-old brother was critically injured by the fumes, authorities said Monday.
Over 17,000 species threatened by extinction AP (November 03, 2009) GENEVA (AP) - A rare Panamanian tree frog, a rodent from Madagascar and two lizards found only in the Philippines are among over 17,000 species threatened with extinction, a leading environmental group said Tuesday.
Wis. regulators approve utility's biomass plan AP (November 02, 2009) ASHLAND, Wis. (AP) - The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has approved a utility's latest plan to replace coal and use logging residue and dead trees as the primary fuel to generate electricity.
Tongass wars flare over Logjam timber sale AP (November 02, 2009) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Conservation groups and the U.S. Forest Service have fought for decades over management of the country's largest national forest. The wrangling has gone on for so long it has a name: The Tongass Wars.
Funds dwindling to oversee Utah's hazardous waste AP (November 02, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Businesses that handle some of Utah's most dangerous materials are being inspected less often because of dwindling funds to pay for the work.
Tenn. harvesters race to beat river flood threats AP (November 02, 2009) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Many West Tennessee farmers are in a race with rising water in the Mississippi River to harvest their crops.
Alabama's ag chief says heavy rain hurting crops AP (November 02, 2009) MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's agriculture commissioner says heavy rains have damaged some Alabama crops and caused poor harvesting conditions.
Tribes claim wind farm would destroy sacred ritual AP (November 02, 2009) MASHPEE, Mass. (AP) - From a blustery perch over a Cape Cod beach, Chuckie Green gestures toward a stretch of horizon where he says construction of the nation's first offshore wind farm would destroy his Indian tribe's religion.
EPA requires AEP to test W.Va. coal-ash site AP (October 30, 2009) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it is requiring American Electric Power to conduct safety tests on waste impoundments at a West Virginia coal-burning plant to ensure their structural stability.
EPA settles with Detroit co. over hazardous waste AP (October 30, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - Federal officials have reached an agreement with a Detroit company over alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at two oil recycling operations.
US cotton almost clear of voracious boll weevil AP (October 30, 2009) LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - For more than a century, small green beetles ate through U.S. cotton crops, costing growers $20 billion and making the boll weevil the most expensive agricultural pest in the nation's history.
Waste Management 3rd-quarter profit sinks AP (October 29, 2009) (AP) - Waste Management Inc., the nation's largest trash hauler, said Thursday that third-quarter profit sank, despite rising prices for recycled commodities and cost-cutting.
UN climate chief doubts full treaty this year AP (October 29, 2009) AMSTERDAM (AP) - Reaching a final global warming treaty will be impossible this year, but the political ingredients of a deal must be settled at a conference in December, the U.N.'s top climate official said Wednesday.
White House Garden goes through second harvest AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - First lady Michelle Obama and several dozen children from Washington, D.C., schools have harvested the produce growing in the garden on the South Lawn of the White House.
Mo. smelter downplays EPA concerns about lead AP (October 28, 2009) ST. LOUIS (AP) - The Doe Run Co. on Tuesday downplayed the extent of lead contamination at properties near its Herculaneum lead smelter, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stood by tests showing many neighboring homes had tainted soil.
Deal struck on Great Lakes ship pollution AP (October 28, 2009) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Congressional negotiators reached a deal Tuesday that would effectively exempt 13 ships that haul iron ore, coal and other freight on the Great Lakes from a proposed federal rule meant to reduce air pollution.
Calif. utility wants to buy more solar power AP (October 27, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - California's largest utility said it plans to boost the amount of solar power it buys from residents and businesses as the state pushes for wider use of alternative energy.
Wis. nonprofit gets $3.3M grant for solar training AP (October 27, 2009) MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin nonprofit will train solar power instructors throughout the Midwest with a $3.3 million federal grant.
Bats reintroduced into Vermont caves hit by fungus AP (October 27, 2009) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Wildlife biologists studying a mysterious fungus killing off hundreds of thousands of bats around America want to find out if they can repopulate caves decimated by the disease.
Ark. energy companies make case for climate bill AP (October 27, 2009) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An industry group said Monday that alternative energy companies need Congress to pass the climate bill so they will be assured of a long-term market, one that will ultimately lower energy costs and employ 25,000 in Arkansas by 2020.
US reps worry ocean policy will block development AP (October 27, 2009) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Dozens of U.S. representatives sent a letter Monday to the head of the President's Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force with concerns that the policy will block offshore energy development and cost jobs.
Kerry: US leadership at stake in climate debate AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The lead author of a Senate climate bill says action to combat global warming will raise energy prices, but also create jobs and that inaction could cause even worse economic and security problems.
Senate hearing kicks off climate bill AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Top Obama administration officials are looking to make their case before the Senate for aggressive action to combat climate change, even as Republicans show no sign of softening their dislike of a Democratic bill that would dramatically cut heat-trapping pollution.
Association marks 20 years of greening Hollywood AP (October 26, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - With local, organic food, minimal electricity use and on-site composting, the Environmental Media Association's 20th anniversary party might be the green standard for future Hollywood awards shows.