SEJ RSS Feed

"A Decade on, Southwest Wolf Reintroduction Effort Faces Long Odds"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:25:36 -0500

"SEVILLETA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, N.M. -- With their high fences, den boxes and plastic water tubs, the half-dozen pens of this FWS holding facility are a far cry from the remote, rugged wildlands of the recovery zone that M1133 and other Mexican wolves are supposed to inhabit about 300 miles southwest of here on the New Mexico-Arizona border. But this facility has become an essential, if controversial, part of FWS's 12-year-old Mexican wolf reintroduction program, one of the most troubled -- and by many estimates, unsuccessful -- endangered species programs in the country.

"Feds Recall More Children's Jewelry in Cadmium Probe"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:23:38 -0500

"LOS ANGELES -- Federal safety regulators recalled a line of Christmas-themed bracelets Thursday, expanding their effort to purge children's jewelry boxes and store shelves of items containing high levels of the toxic metal cadmium.

The latest action by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission targeted "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" charm bracelets that released alarmingly high levels of cadmium in government lab tests, suggesting children could be exposed to a carcinogen that also can damage kidneys and bones.

"Ground Zero Workers Reach Deal Over Health Claims"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:15:01 -0500

"A settlement of up to $657.5 million has been reached in the cases of thousands of rescue and cleanup workers at ground zero who sued the city over damage to their health, according to city officials and lawyers for the plaintiffs.

They said that the settlement would compensate about 10,000 plaintiffs according to the severity of their illnesses and the level of their exposure to contaminants at the World Trade Center site. "

"House Aides Mull Plans to Overhaul, Codify NOAA"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:33:56 -0500

"Aides from the two House committees with jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are working together to draft legislation to overhaul and authorize the agency for the first time, according to House Science Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.).

Gordon wants to advance a NOAA organic act this year. The bill would give a congressional directive to the science and oceans agency, which has gone without any authorizing bill for 40 years."

"Obama Admin Jumps to Squelch Rumors of U.S. Fishing Ban"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:19:26 -0500

"The Obama administration is trying to dash rumors that it planned to ban recreational fishing in marine waters and the Great Lakes in the wake of a series of Internet posts warning that such a prohibition was imminent.

"Rising Food Prices May Start With Seeds"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:28:05 -0500

"For 40 years, farmer Todd Leake and his family have battled bitter cold, hungry pests and a short growing season to coax soybeans out of their fields in eastern North Dakota.

The one thing they never had to fight for, though, was their seeds.

A decade ago, salesmen from as many as 50 seed companies would compete for their dollars. Each would promise healthier plants, richer yields or a better discount.

"Senate Approves Bill That Includes Biodiesel Credit"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:31:59 -0500

"The U.S. Senate approved a bill that extends the $1-a-gallon tax credit for biodiesel, which expired Dec. 31.

The credit was included in a $138 billion measure that would extend unemployment benefits and provide more aid to states in an effort to boost the economy. The biodiesel industry says the tax credit is needed to revive production.

"Uranium Mining in Navajo Community OK'd by Appeals Court"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:21:32 -0500

"A federal appeals court this week moved to allow uranium mining operations in Churchrock, a Navajo community just east of Gallup, New Mexico.

The decision by the Federal 10th Circuit Court of Appeals comes at a time of increased financial incentives for uranium mining—but also intense opposition from many communities, including the Navajo Nation, which outlawed uranium mining in 2005."

"White House Finalizing Rules To Cut Car Emissions"

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:29:50 -0500

"The White House is finalizing rules on the first U.S. greenhouse gas emission standard for automobiles, which would raise average fuel economy 42 percent by 2016 in a bid to slash oil imports and fight climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department sent the final rules this week to the White House's Office of Management and Budget, according to a notice posted on the OMB website.

Former Nuke Worker Held as Terror Suspect

jdavis_sej — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:16:56 -0500

"BUENA, N.J. — Sharif Mobley had strong Muslim views as early as high school. But his old friend Roman Castro knew he had radicalized when he saw him about four years ago.

Castro, an Army veteran who did a tour in Iraq, said Mobley had only these words for him in a chance meeting: "Get the hell away from me, you Muslim killer!"

"Clark Fork River Begins To Settle After Milltown Dam Removal"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:39:25 -0500

"People along the Clark Fork River are still getting used to the removal of Milltown Dam. But as far as the fish are concerned, it's history.

"Dogs That Detect Bedbugs"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:32:45 -0500

Bedbug-sniffing dogs can locate a single live bug or egg with 96 percent accuracy. The bugs were mostly eradicated in the U.S. by now-banned pesticides like DDT, and are now making a comeback.

Penelope Green reports for the New York Times March 10, 2010.

"Endangered Listing Eyed For US Loggerhead Turtles"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:26:06 -0500

"BOSTON -- The federal government on Wednesday recommended an endangered-species listing for the loggerhead turtles in U.S. waters, a decision that could lead to tighter restrictions on fishing and other maritime trades.

The massive, nomadic sea turtles have been listed since 1978 as threatened, a step below endangered, but federal scientists proposed ratcheting up the designation after reviewing the state of the species.

Researchers said primary threats to the loggerheads include injury and death from fishing gear and damage to their nesting areas.

"Enviros Target Blunt in Close Missouri Senate Race"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:37:10 -0500

"The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) launched an effort Wednesday to tip the scales in the close Missouri Senate race against Rep. Roy Blunt (R) by playing up oil-industry contributions to the conservative lawmaker.

LCV named Blunt to its 'Dirty Dozen' list of candidates whom it will work against in the 2010 cycle.

Blunt, who is in his seventh term, faces a tight contest this year against Democrat Robin Carnahan, who is currently Missouri's secretary of state. Incumbent Sen. Kit Bond (R) is not seeking reelection."

"Former Mine Boss Pleads To Lying About Methane Levels"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:46:53 -0500

"CLARKSBURG, W.Va. -- A former foreman at one of West Virginia's largest underground coal mines admitted Wednesday that he lied about conducting a key safety test, as a federal criminal probe continued into allegations that Patriot Coal officials covered up evidence of explosive methane levels at their Federal No. 2 Mine in Monongalia County."

Ken Ward Jr. reports for the Charleston Gazette March 10, 2010.

"Obama Aide Urges Listing Of Gas-Drilling Chemicals"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:28:39 -0500

"President Barack Obama's top environmental adviser urged the natural gas industry on Tuesday to disclose the chemicals it uses in drilling, warning that the development of massive U.S. shale gas reserves could be held back otherwise.

Joseph Aldy, special assistant to the president for energy and the environment, said concerns about water contamination from drilling chemicals could lead to states requiring disclosure and that could deter additional investment. ...

"Study: Quakes Linked To Post-Gas Drilling Process"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:34:44 -0500

"A wastewater disposal process done after natural gas extraction — and not the drilling itself — is a plausible cause for the surprising series of minor earthquakes in north Texas, according to a study released Wednesday.

"Va. Gov McDonnell Signs Offshore Energy Bills"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:30:31 -0500

"RICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law Wednesday offshore drilling legislation intended to realize his goal of making Virginia the East Coast's energy superpower.

The bills supporting offshore oil and gas exploration and directing royalties from drilling back to Virginia each hinge on actions by the federal government and Congress.

"World's Top Scientists To Review Climate Panel"

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:19:31 -0500

"UNITED NATIONS -- At a tumultuous time in U.N.-led climate negotiations, one of the world's most credible scientific groups agreed Wednesday to plug the recent cracks in the authoritative reports of the United Nations' Nobel Prize-winning global warming panel.

'We enter this process with no preconceived conclusions,' said Robbert Dijkgraaf, a Dutch mathematical physicist who co-chairs the group, the InterAcademy Council of 15 nations' national academies of science.

4-Alarm Toxic Fire at Recycling Plant Threatens Santa Clara

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:42:23 -0500

"A toxic fire -- the third in three years -- broke out Wednesday at a Santa Clara recycling plant, prompting an order for residents to stay inside and close their windows while firefighters put out the flames.

The four-alarm blaze, with plumes of dense black acrid smoke that could be seen across Santa Clara Valley, erupted at ECS Refining, which specializes in electronics recycling. About 70 employees evacuated safely and no injuries were reported."

Santa Monica Sushi Restaurant Charged With Selling Whale Meat

jdavis_sej — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:44:44 -0500

"Federal prosecutors Wednesday filed criminal charges against a Santa Monica sushi restaurant and one of its chefs, alleging they had sold meat from an endangered whale.

The Hump, a hip hangout at Santa Monica Airport, immediately said through attorney Gary Lincenberg that it accepted "responsibility for the wrongdoing charged by the U.S. attorney" and would pay a fine and resolve the matter in court.

"'Towering' Conservationist Edgar Wayburn, Dies at 103"

jdavis_sej — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:12:55 -0500

"Honorary Sierra Club President and Presidential Medal of Freedom winner, Dr. Edgar Wayburn died late Friday night at his home in San Francisco in the presence of his family. He was 103.

The environmental community is mourning the death of the five-term president of the Sierra Club who spearheaded the preservation of millions of acres of natural lands in California and Alaska.

"Aging Reactors Put Nuclear Power Plant 'Safety Cultures' in the Spotlight"

jdavis_sej — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:06:37 -0500

"Across the U.S. nuclear energy sector, plant owners are seeking -- and gaining -- NRC approval to run first-generation plants for 20 years beyond the original license period. Nine Mile Point Unit 1's operating license has been extended to 2029, and Unit 2 is cleared to run until 2046.

The Obama administration considers the 104 U.S. reactors a cornerstone of the nation's long-term quest to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. As the plants age, the need for rigorous safety supervision steadily mounts, industry experts stress."

"Bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Bill Wins Environmental Support"

jdavis_sej — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:05:08 -0500

"Bipartisan legislation that promises the largest federal investment ever to clean up the Great Lakes -- $650 million annually for the next five years -- has been introduced in the Senate and in the House to applause from environmental groups.

"Chanel Muses On Global Cooling With Iceberg Show"

jdavis_sej — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:14:30 -0500

"PARIS -- An event based around hundreds of fashionistas flying in from all over the world was never going to be a convincing platform for environmental campaigning, but designers in Paris haven't let that stop them.

While British designer Vivienne Westwood regularly rails against global warming, fashion king Karl Lagerfeld trumped her with a rival theory at the Chanel show on Monday: the globe is in fact cooling, and he has an iceberg to prove it.