"Conservation and energy groups have filed a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asking the agency to object to an air pollution permit granted to TransAlta Corporation's coal-burning power plant in Centralia, Washington."

"A coalition of advocacy groups launched a campaign [Tuesday] opposing President Obama's choice of a pesticide industry official to represent U.S. interests in agricultural trade negotiations."

Billionaire investor Warren Buffet is planning to buy the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. Observers say this is a bet on the future of coal in the U.S. energy mix.

"An expanded LG&E ash pond next to the Ohio River in Trimble County would have 100 foot tall walls and store more ash than burst across hundreds of acres in Tennessee last year."

"Researchers cannot agree whether the melting is attributable mainly to humanity’s role in global warming."

"A partisan standoff over Senate global warming legislation clouded the start of the Environment and Public Works Committee's markup of the sweeping proposal today with just one Republican in attendance."

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the United States Tuesday to agree to binding climate goals, telling U.S. lawmakers in a speech to Congress there was 'no time to lose' in the fight against global warming."

"Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) will go ahead and mark up climate legislation in her committee Tuesday, she announced Monday morning, even if the Republicans try to block her."

"A huge fire has been blazing at an oil rig in the Timor Sea since Sunday, after an attempt by the oil company to kill a leaking well. The West Atlas rig is located directly above the Montara well head platfrom, which has been leaking oil and gas since August 21."

"Protection for polar bears' shrinking icy habitat is the subject of a proposed rule sent to the White House by the Interior Department."