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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Veterans traveling to NH to support climate bill AP (October 23, 2009) CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - When Americans fill up their cars with gas, Mike Breen wants them to picture terrorists filling their guns with bullets paid for with their money.
Witness: WVa wind farm no threat to endangered bat AP (October 23, 2009) GREENBELT, Md. (AP) - An environmental consultant hired by developers of a proposed West Virginia wind farm told a federal judge he believes the project won't harm the endangered Indiana bat.
Pam Anderson launches anti-seal hunt campaign AP (October 23, 2009) TORONTO (AP) - Former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson wants to save the seals from the annual hunt on Canada's East Coast.
Poultry industry: Okla. didn't enforce water rules AP (October 22, 2009) TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Arkansas poultry companies claimed Wednesday that an Oklahoma agency could have gone to court long ago to enforce water quality standards in a sensitive watershed, but failed to do so until 2005, when it filed a federal lawsuit blaming the companies for pollution there.
Businesses quit US Chamber over climate stance AP (October 20, 2009) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls itself the "voice of business," yet a growing number of companies from Apple to Exelon are saying it doesn't speak for them when it denies global warming and lobbies against climate change legislation.
UK's Brown urges progress on climate pact AP (October 19, 2009) LONDON (AP) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday that failure to strike a new global deal on reducing greenhouse emissions would be catastrophic, and urged other national leaders to personally attend a climate summit in Denmark later this year.
Arson blamed for destructive Calif wildfire AP (October 19, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California fire officials say a summer blaze that destroyed 63 homes in the Sierra foothills was intentionally set.
Manatee stuck in NJ as temps fall; rescue planned AP (October 16, 2009) ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - A rescue attempt is being planned for Ilya, a Florida manatee stuck near an oil refinery in New Jersey where plunging temperatures and a lack of food are endangering his life.
Calif. water war spreads to Congress AP (October 16, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - It was the kind of legislation that rarely generates much debate in Congress: a bill to expand a local water recycling program.
Water uncertainty frustrates busy Calif. farmers AP (October 16, 2009) FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Farmers in the most prolific agricultural region in the country should be planting winter romaine lettuce and calculating spring cantaloupe acreage at this time of year.
Rick becomes hurricane off Mexico's Pacific coast AP (October 16, 2009) ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) - Hurricane Rick was swirling Friday off Mexico's Pacific coast with winds near 75 mph (120 kph), and forecasters said it could soon become a major hurricane.
Next German gov't to cut solar subsidies AP (October 14, 2009) BERLIN (AP) - Germany's next government is considering slashing subsidies to renewable energy industries, particularly solar, an energy expert with Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats said Tuesday.
Farmers try to plant hemp at DEA office, arrested AP (October 14, 2009) BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A 51-year-old grandfather who grows garbanzo beans and other crops in northwestern North Dakota was among the protesters arrested for planting hemp seeds on the lawn of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration offices.
Texas heavy industries worry about EPA crackdown AP (October 14, 2009) DALLAS (AP) - For 15 years, environmentalists have complained that state regulations have allowed the powerful oil and chemical industries to skirt Clean Air Act standards in Texas, the nation's foremost producer of industrial air pollution.
Schwarzenegger calls session to discuss water deal AP (October 12, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders plan a seventh straight day of water negotiations Monday, as the governor summoned lawmakers for a special session on the state's water problems.
Green walls taking root in green building design AP (October 12, 2009) PITTSBURGH (AP) - The next big thing in green building design might be to turn an existing idea on its side. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. recently installed a green wall the size of two tennis courts on one side of its headquarters.