Federal judges today appeared poised to beat back two challenges to limitations the Interior Department placed on the importation of polar bear hides hunted in Canada. The cases at the…
ENDANGERED SPECIES: Judges appear sympathetic to Interior's limits on importation of polar bear hides
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EPA: Boxer promises McCarthy vote ASAP in face of Republican boycott
After a Republican boycott scuttled a confirmation vote this morning on U.S. EPA administrator nominee Gina McCarthy, Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer promised Democrats would move quickly to hold a vote -- even if it means changing committee rules.
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OBITUARY: Forward-looking former S.C. water chief dies
The former chief of South Carolina's Water Resources Commission died Wednesday at age 67 after a years-long battle against cancer. Alfred "Freddy" Vang spent three decades in state government and…
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PEOPLE: Dalai Lama's environmental awakening came at 24
The Dalai Lama's environmental awakening came at age 24, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader said this week at the start of a four-day tour in Portland, Ore. He said he…
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OBITUARY: Architect, green building leader dies from brain tumor
Kevin Pierce, a Chicago architect who served as a leader in green design and sustainable development, died last week at 55. Pierce was the chief operating officer and former board…
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CHINA: Stubborn emitters stymie nation's efforts to crack down on pollution
As the political will to address pollution in China has increased, officials there face the difficult task of policing the offenders. The Chinese were rattled by the pollution crisis this…
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SUPERFUND: EPA investigates leaking drum at toxic N.Y. site
Federal investigators are looking into reports of fluid seeping from a drum at a contaminated site, which was previously an aviation manufacturing facility in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. A resident…
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WATER POLLUTION: Scotts removes phosphorus from fertilizer
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. has stopped used phosphorus in its Turf Builder lawn fertilizer in what it says is a milestone for the industry. The change is aimed at reducing harmful…
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AIR POLLUTION: Study links particle exposure to diabetes risk
Air pollution exposure increases the risk of insulin resistance, according to a new study. Insulin resistance -- a precursor of diabetes -- rose by 17 percent for every 10.6 micrograms…
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WATER POLLUTION: Obama admin expands urban waterways program
U.S. EPA, the White House and other federal agencies today announced plans to expand the Urban Waters Federal Partnership. The program, which restores and improves waterways in urban areas around…
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CHEMICALS: Nations consent to new ban, export regulations
United Nations officials said more than 120 nations agreed to stricter regulations on several chemicals and hazardous waste, including a gradual ban on a flame retardant and new export requirements…
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CHEMICALS: Officials arrest paramedic who responded to Texas plant explosion
Police officers in West, Texas, today arrested a paramedic accused of possessing a destructive device. Officials did not say whether the arrest of Bryce Reed was related to the April…
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CHEMICALS: 2 states set to enact landmark regulations
Two states are poised to enact landmark legislation aimed at potentially toxic chemicals, breaking from a trend in other states where similar proposals this session mostly faltered. The Vermont Senate…
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COMMERCE: Agency to close Washington, D.C., aquarium
The Washington branch of the National Aquarium will close this fall because of renovations to the Commerce Department building, officials said yesterday. The remodel starts next year, but officials must…
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AVIATION: Airline plans ash cloud detector test
A British budget airline plans to spawn an artificial volcanic ash cloud over Europe this summer in order to try out its new ash-detection technology. EasyJet's pilot program is an…
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NUCLEAR POWER: Southern Md. reactor shuts down after unexplained problem
A reactor at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is offline as workers investigate an unexplained malfunction with the system. Valves feeding one of the plant's two reactors closed unexpectedly, leading…
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BIOFUELS: DOE develops cheaper, more efficient pre-treatment for biomass
A salty, enzyme-free bath may be the key to cost-competitive advanced biofuels. Researchers at the Energy Department's Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have developed an ionic liquid pre-treatment for cellulosic biomass…
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CARBON CAPTURE: DOE touts 'breakthrough' CCS projects
A top Department of Energy official touted progress in carbon capture efforts during a visit today to a new, "first of its kind" facility in Port Arthur, Texas. Christopher Smith,…
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CHEMICALS: Utah property owners revive court battle over herbicide
Dozens of Utah property owners in Park City and Heber have rebuffed a settlement over a widely used weed killer that has eradicated trees and shrubs from a forest. The…
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OIL AND GAS: Court rules DOE must pay Chevron in field dispute
The U.S. Court of Claims ruled that Chevron Corp. is entitled to damages from the Energy Department over an oil deposits contract dispute. In a 90-page ruling made public yesterday,…
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