Policy

The Energy Department in December 2008 published an 11th-hour proposed amendment to the Bush administration's secrecy rules that shroud the policies that brought Americans Enron, California blackouts, and $4 gasoline.

Environmental policy, legislation, and regulation are likely to be different under the Obama administration than the Bush administration. It's difficult to know yet what the priorities will be, or what shifts will occur. This is the first half of potential topics for journalists to keep an eye on.

Environmental policy, legislation, and regulation are likely to be different under the Obama administration than the Bush administration. It's difficult to know yet what the priorities will be, or what shifts will occur. This is the second half of potential topics for journalists to keep an eye on.

In addition to casting their vote for president on Nov. 4, 2008, many people will be voting on environmental ballot measures of one type or another. At the state level, there are several dozen ballot measures related to issues such as agriculture, energy, or natural resources.

Mexico released a report condemning the border fence along the U.S. border as environmentally destructive.

A Fortune 500 energy company is applying for an "incidental take" permit that would allow it to kill endangered and threatened species that live on the largest swath of land ever covered by one permit.

The public comment period for a long-delayed EIS draft designating energy corridors in 11 Western states is open.

Post-Kyoto climate change negotiations began in earnest in Bali, Indonesia, to prepare for the next iteration of world consensus on the topic.

New report examines links between climate change and U.S. transportation.

The Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents held its first public meeting in 162 years November 17, 2008. This marks a move away from existing policies that have made the institution's meetings and records less open to public scrutiny than other federal entities.