Public

"Is the Sun Missing Its Spots?"

As scientists watch the 11-year cycle of increasing and decreasing sunspots, they are finding that the Sun seems to be in an unusually calm period. The observation raises questions about the Sun's influence on climate.

Science

Public

International

Source: NYTimes, 07/24/2009

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"Obama Admin Proposes Reduced Access for Snowmobiles in Yellowstone"

"The Obama administration is proposing to allow up to 318 snowmobiles per day into Yellowstone National Park for the next two winters, cutting by more than half the 720 allowed last winter by the Bush administration."

Natural Resources

Public

Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY)

Source: Greenwire, 07/24/2009

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"Energy Companies Opened Wallets Wide to Sway House Climate Bill"

"Electric utilities boosted lobbying in the second quarter of 2009, narrowing the gap with oil and gas companies that had dominated spending on persuasion by a wide margin earlier this year."

Climate Change

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Greenwire, 07/24/2009

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"At 65, Smokey Bear Is Still Fighting Fires"

"The beloved icon remains the face of the longest-running public service campaign in U.S. history. But keeping him current has been a challenge."

Journalism & Media

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: LA Times, 07/24/2009

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"San Francisco Baykeeper Wins Sewage Spill Prevention Settlements"

"Sewage spills that have contributed to water pollution in San Francisco Bay will be reduced under two settlements reached last week between the nonprofit San Francisco Baykeeper and the Town of Hillsborough and the neighborhood of Burlingame Hills."

Pollution

Public

California

Source: ENS, 07/24/2009

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"EPA Weighs Adding More Lead-Emission Monitors"

"The Obama administration moved Wednesday to expand a national network of monitors to track lead emissions, a troublesome source of industrial air pollution."

Air

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Chicago Tribune, 07/24/2009

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"Caribou Populations Fall Sharply"

Scientists are finding what seems to be a global decline in caribou populations.

Biodiversity

Public

International

Source: Christian Science Monitor, 07/24/2009

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State, Local Agencies Join Push To Clean Up Air Pollution at Ports

A variety of initiatives aimed at reducing shipping-related emissions are in the works.

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EPA To Announce Final Risk Assessment for SO2

In response to lawsuits, EPA was scheduled to release its proposed rule for a new primary health-based standard by July 30, 2009. That has been postponed once again, and the new court-ordered date for release of the proposed rule is Nov. 16, 2009, with a final rule due by June 2, 2010.

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Congress Renews Efforts To Reform 19th Century Mining Law

Critics of the US General Mining Act of 1872 are hopeful that the law, which was crafted at a time when the priority was encouraging mining in a largely unsettled West, will finally be revamped.

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