EJToday is SEJ's selection of new and outstanding stories on environmental topics in print and on the air, updated every weekday. SEJ also offers a free e-mailed digest of the day's EJToday postings, called SEJ-beat. SEJ members are subscribed automatically, but may opt out here. Non-members may subscribe here. EJToday is also available via RSS feed. Please see Editorial Guidelines for EJToday content.
"Opinions Split on Navajo and Hopi Water Rights as Decision Time Nears"
Indian Country Today, 06/21/2012"As decision time looms for a controversial Little Colorado River water settlement, Navajo and Hopi tribal governments are looking increasingly likely to support the settlement – and oppose its companion federal legislation, SB 2109."
50,000 Texas City Residents Sue BP After 2010 Refinery Explosion
AP, 06/15/2012"TEXAS CITY, Texas -- More than 50,000 Texas City residents have joined a class-action suit against BP PLC, alleging they got sick in 2010 from a 41-day emissions release from a refinery that was the scene of a deadly explosion."
"Southwest Tribes Struggle With Climate Change Fallout"
Indian Country Today, 06/15/2012"If you like scary, suspense-filled stories and will get the chance to read only one book this fall … may we suggest the spine-tingling Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States?"
"Conservation Deal Keeps Sand Dune Lizard Off U.S. Endangered List"
Columbia Journalism Review, 06/14/2012"U.S. officials ruled on Wednesday that a tiny lizard would be kept off the endangered species list after agreements with Texas and New Mexico landowners intended to protect its habitat and preserve oil and gas production in the region."
"Texas' Water Woes Spark Interest in Desalination"
Texas Tribune, 06/11/2012"SAN ANTONIO — Drilling rigs in the midst of cow pastures are hardly a novelty for Texans. But on a warm May day at a site about 30 miles south of San Antonio, a rig was not trying to reach oil or fresh water, but rather something unconventional: a salty aquifer. After a plant is built and begins operating in 2016, the site will become one of the state’s largest water desalination facilities."
Southern Great Plains Could Run Out of Groundwater in 30 Years: Study
Christian Science Monitor, 05/31/2012"A new study looking at key aquifers beneath the Great Plains and California's Central Valley suggests that areas of Texas and Kansas are drawing groundwater at an unsustainable rate."
40-Year Air Force Fuel Spill Threatens Albuquerque's Water
AP, 05/24/2012"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A decades-old jet fuel spill threatening Albuquerque's water supply could be as large as 24 million gallons, or twice the size of the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez, New Mexico environment officials acknowledged Tuesday."
"Texas Judge Will Rule Against Las Brisas Power Plant Air Permit"
ENS, 05/18/2012"AUSTIN, Texas -- A Texas District Court judge Monday issued a letter announcing that he intends to rule against the state environmental agency's air permit for a proposed power plant in Corpus Christi."
"Burnam: 'Top Secret' Documents Show Risks of Radioactive Waste Dump"
Texas Observer, 04/17/2012"With a manila envelope labeled 'TOP SECRET' propped up in front of him, state Rep. Lon Burnam, a Fort Worth Democrat, called on the Texas Attorney General to allow the public release of confidential information related to a West Texas radioactive waste dump owned by Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons."
"Growth Prospects for Uranium Stir Concerns"
Texas Tribune, 04/16/2012"HOBSON, Texas -- At the back of a South Texas uranium processing facility, a few dozen black container drums stood outside, waiting to be shipped. Each was filled with about $50,000 worth of yellowcake, a powdery substance created from raw uranium."
"AZ House OKs Secrecy for Environmental Reports"
AP, 04/10/2012"Mining companies and other businesses will be allowed to keep environmental studies secret, even if they detail possible pollution problems, under industry-backed legislation that gained final House approval Monday."
"Hundreds of Donkeys Abandoned in Lingering Drought"
AP, 03/29/2012"With pastures withered from a lingering drought, farmers in Texas and northwest Louisiana have abandoned donkeys by the hundreds, turning them into wandering refugees that have severely tested animal rescue groups."
"Texas Wins Latest Round With EPA In Federal Court"
Houston Chronicle, 03/28/2012"SAN ANTONIO -- A federal appeals court scolded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday for rejecting a series of state pollution control projects in Texas that federal regulators said failed to satisfy requirements of the Clean Air Act."
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"A Clash Over Mining and Water"
NY Times, 03/28/2012"SAN FRANCISCO -- A plan to dig a vast copper mine in arid southern Arizona is pitting the needs of American industry -- and arguably the national economy -- against a coalition of local residents and environmentalists."
"Two Texas Towns Run Out of Water"
PBS, 03/22/2012"ROBERT LEE, Texas -- All the cars in this town are dirty. Gripped by drought, the lake that has provided the town's only source of water has just about dried up -- as of last month, it was less than 1 percent full. And as a result, residents are prohibited from using water to wash cars, water trees and lawns and irrigate plants."

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