Publication Items

Info on Rare Orchid Handled Like Nuclear Secret [1]

The Canby's bog orchid, not seen in Maryland for 20 years, has reappeared at the Nassawango Nature Preserve. A Washington Post reporter was allowed to see and write about it, but with unusual restrictions.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [3]
Region:
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [4]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about Info on Rare Orchid Handled Like Nuclear Secret [1]
EPA Releases Raw TRI Data Early [6]

The rawness of the data, which will be analyzed and revised by EPA at a later date, means that, for now, reporters will need to do more of their own ground-truthing in order to use it.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [7]
Pollution [8]
Government [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about EPA Releases Raw TRI Data Early [6]
CDC Launches National Public Health Tracking Program [11]

This data tool shows promise, but it currently tracks only non-infectious conditions and not others tied to environmental causes, such as neurological, endocrine, and reproductive disorders.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Health [12]
Government [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about CDC Launches National Public Health Tracking Program [11]
'Thousand Cankers' Rapidly Kills Walnuts [13]

Yet another deadly tree disease is spreading in North America. This one, documented in 8 states so far, affects black walnuts. Early hints indicate it could also affect other, agriculturally significant walnut tree species.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Food [15]
Forests [16]
Biodiversity [3]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about 'Thousand Cankers' Rapidly Kills Walnuts [13]
Lobbyists of All Stripes Join Climate Change Fray [17]

A Center for Public Integrity report indicates the number of entities officially lobbying on climate change increased 31% in the second quarter of 2009, and draws some parallels between the lobbyists involved prior to the June 2009 House vote on a climate change bill and the major pre-vote changes that happened to the bill.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [18]
Economy & Business [19]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about Lobbyists of All Stripes Join Climate Change Fray [17]
Is Your Community Ready for Hurricane Season? [20]

SEJ has prepared a list of resources which may be helpful to reporters doing before, during and after-hurricane stories.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [21]
Science [22]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about Is Your Community Ready for Hurricane Season? [20]
GM Dropout Endangers Vehicle Mercury Switch Recycling Program [23]

The Associated Press reports "GM says mercury pollution not its problem anymore," defaulting on its dues payments just as the US government's cash-for-clunkers program is causing the retirement of many older vehicles.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Economy & Business [19]
Chemicals [7]
Pollution [8]
Waste [24]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about GM Dropout Endangers Vehicle Mercury Switch Recycling Program [23]
Diverse Range of Experts Team Up On Wind Turbine Issue [25]

Concerns continue to mount over the potential impact of wind-turbine blades on airborne wildlife. Hence, a consortium of experts has agreed on priorities for investigation, including turbine placement, design, and operation; aerodynamics of turbines, birds, and bats; and habitat, topography, and weather conditions.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Economy & Business [19]
Energy & Fuel [26]
Biodiversity [3]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about Diverse Range of Experts Team Up On Wind Turbine Issue [25]
More Lead Monitors Coming to a Facility or City Near You? [27]

The Bush Administration, through the OMB, pressured EPA to water down lead monitoring requirements it had tightened in October 2008. Now EPA may get more or all of the monitors it originally wanted, near facilities that emit about a half ton of lead per year.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [28]
Chemicals [7]
Laws & Regulations [29]
Pollution [8]
Government [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about More Lead Monitors Coming to a Facility or City Near You? [27]
Big Money Targets Weatherization [30]

The topic of weatherization might appear mundane, but the sheer magnitude of the current multi-billion-dollar program, and its relative importance in increasing energy efficiency and combating climate change, make it a story worth covering.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [14]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [18]
Energy & Fuel [26]
Government [9]
Region:
National (U.S.) [10]
Visibility:
Public [5]
- Read more about Big Money Targets Weatherization [30]

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