I swear. Not a single more See's Candy for me. I'm almost holiday candied out. I just want the 25th to come and go so I don't have to deal with people out of their minds about buying cr*p for people they don't like. Anyway...Environmental News to Use....the cranky version.
Spill's cost a defense by Exxon. Exxon Mobil will argue in front of the U.S. Supreme Court that the $2.5 billion verdict the company was ordered to pay as punishment for one of the nation's worst oil spills conflicts with more than 200 years of maritime law. Anchorage Daily News
A lush oasis could go dry. This desert oasis east of Los Angeles sold itself for decades on water and all the luxury it brings. Now, the region that water built suddenly finds itself on shifting ground and in danger of drying up. Associated Press via Philly.com
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Lasting genetic legacy of environment. Environmental factors such as stress and diet could be affecting the genes of future generations leading to increased rates of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. BBC
Russian villagers living the horror of a nuclear explosion 50 years ago. An explosion at the Mayak nuclear plant here that devastated the southern Ural region a half-century ago still casts a shadow over Russians living in the area. Asahi Shimbun
High lead levels found in kids' jewelry. Laboratory tests commissioned by The Seattle Times reveal that some of the baubles for sale in local stores are tainted with dangerous amounts of lead. Seattle Times
Congress leaves product safety overhaul in limbo. After a year in which American parents discovered Elmo was tainted with lead, Polly had dangerous magnets in her pockets, and a popular toy was laced with a coma-inducing chemical, Congress is going home this week without reforming the nation's consumer product safety system. Washington Post.
Carmakers angry over European emissions curbs. A row erupted yesterday over European commission plans to curb carbon dioxide emissions from new cars by threatening manufacturers with heavy fines if they failed to meet set targets. London Guardian
Ancient warming caused huge spike in temps, study says. The finding suggests that today's temperature rise may just be priming the planet for a carbon belch of epic proportions. National Geographic News.
More flame retardants found in house dust. Two flame retardants used in consumer goods have been found at very high levels in some homes suggesting that people in the developed world may be exposed to significant concentrations of flame retardants beyond what previous research has indicated. Environmental Science & Technology.
Perchlorate concentrates in breast milk. A new study uncovers the mechanism that can concentrate perchlorate in breast milk, suggesting that infants are the most vulnerable population to this chemical contaminant. Environmental Science & Technology.
Wildfire ash can contain toxic mix. A new U.S. Geological Survey study of ash and soil samples from the wildfires in Southern California last November suggests that metals in the ash may create health and environmental problems. Environmental Science & Technology.
No choice now but to adapt. A new report examines climate change effects in four vulnerable U.S. regions. Environmental Science & Technology.
Inadequate vaccine in Wyoming. A new report concludes that states have made significant progress since the terrorist and anthrax attacks in 2001. However, critical gaps remain. Laramie Boomerang
Group warns Ohio's future bleak if greenhouse effect is unchecked. The impact of climate change on Ohio could be perilous unless action is taken to curtail greenhouse gases, a conservation group warned. Dayton Daily News
Blunt takes a step on global warming. Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt has refused to join nine Midwestern states in endorsing the bulk of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Blunt rejects key sections of Midwestern energy accord. Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt has dismissed major parts of the Midwestern Governors Association’s energy pact that would establish greenhouse gas reduction goals and require greater reliance on renewable electricity sources. Kansas City Star
County projects get $375,000 to fight global warming. Marin County, CA projects scored nearly $375,000 in grant money Wednesday from air quality officials to implement novel ideas to combat global warming. Marin Independent Journal
Tax credit expiry endangers wind, solar expansion. Growth of a nascent U.S. industry to build and install clean energy sources, like windmills and solar cells, could be stunted if Congress doesn't extend tax incentives set to expire next year, industry officials and lawmakers said on Wednesday. Reuters.
Energy law leaves out wind, solar tax credits. While the new energy bill delivers good news to those in the ethanol business, it disappoints many in the business of cultivating alternative energy sources. All Things Considered
Wind energy driving rural growth. Electricity generated from wind power is now a reality in Kenya, even as KenGen, the national main electricity generator, grapples with boardroom matters on how such energy could be tapped at a commercial level. Nairobi Business Daily
Carbon electrodes could slash cost of solar panels. Transparent electrodes created from atom-thick carbon sheets could make solar cells and LCDs without depleting precious mineral resources, say researchers in Germany. New Scientist
Fuel rules set Big 3's future. Automakers must adjust to tighter emission standards while building next generation of cars. Detroit News
Kerry: Bush administration ‘increasingly irrelevant’ on climate. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) slammed the Bush administration on Wednesday for its reluctance to take bold action on climate change, but the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee added that the White House does not represent the view of the American people on the issue. The Hill
Grease is the word in biodiesel energy. The vegetable oil drained from the deep fat fryers, once considered trash by hundreds of seafood restaurants between Portsmouth, N.H., and Boston, is now being hauled off for free by companies that turn it into biodiesel. Boston Globe
For a truly green Christmas, adopt a tree... A new business adopts out live Christmas trees and then replants them after the holiday. Agence France-Presse
And, what ever happened to those "State's rights" advocates on this issues?
EPA blocks California bid to limit greenhouse gases from cars. The Bush administration blocked efforts by California and 16 other states Wednesday to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, setting up a political and legal fight over whether states can take a lead role in combatting global warming. San Francisco Chronicle
California to sue EPA over emissions control. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown said Wednesday they will sue to challenge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rejection of the state's bid to limit vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Reno Fox News
EPA blocks Calif. fuel rules. The Environmental Protection Agency late Wednesday rejected a request by California and a dozen other states to impose their own strict controls on vehicle emissions, a major victory for automakers. Detroit News
EPA rejects state rules for clean-burning cars. The Bush administration blocked a requirement that auto dealers in OR and other states sell cleaner-burning cars starting in 2009, dealing a blow to Gov. Ted Kulongoski's efforts to attack global warming. Portland Oregonian
Oregon governor promises legal action over EPA decision. Gov. Ted Kulongoski said Wednesday he will take any legal action necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles despite a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decision to reject California restrictions that Oregon has adopted. Associated Press.
U.S. blocks states on emissions. The Bush administration announced yesterday that it will block efforts by Maryland, California and 15 other states to cut emissions of global warming gases from cars and trucks. Baltimore Sun
EPA blocks states' efforts on emissions. Washington and other states seeking stricter cuts in vehicle greenhouse gas emissions could have to wait years to see those reductions because of a decision Wednesday by the Environmental Protection Agency. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
EPA sides with auto industry. The Bush administration blocked California's plan to put tighter limits on automobile tailpipe emissions, handing a victory to the auto industry on the same day the president signed an energy bill mandating the biggest boost in federal fuel-efficiency standards in more than 30 years. Wall Street Journal.