"The EPA has proposed examining every aspect of hydraulic fracturing, from water withdrawals to waste disposal, according to a draft plan the agency released Tuesday."
Republicans launched their assault against EPA and the Supreme Court Wednesday, arguing that regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act would hurt jobs. EPA chief Lisa Jackson said EPA was protecting people's health. Rep. Henry Waxman produced a document that seemed to say the Bush EPA agreed with Jackson. Divisions are so close that Congress may actually do little on the issue.
"When he releases his new budget ..., President Obama will propose doing away with roughly $4 billion a year in subsidies and tax breaks for oil companies, in his third effort to eliminate federal support for an industry that remains hugely profitable."
"New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday vetoed a proposed offshore liquefied natural gas project 16 miles off the coast of Asbury Park, saying the plan is too risky to the state's crucial tourism and fishing industries."
Which has a stronger influence on human thinking -- power, money, ideology, or science? House Energy Chairman Fred Upton's recent denial that humans are causing climate change casts science as the weakling in the ring. His switch comes even as new documents reveal that the Bush White House overruled EPA science findings on climate -- even though former EPA head Stephen Johnson testified under oath to the contrary.
"The Obama administration announced Monday that it could begin leasing sites off the coasts of Virginia and three other states for wind energy development by the end of the year."
"On Monday, House oversight committee chair Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) released more than 100 letters he has received from corporations, trade groups, and associations outlining the regulations they'd like to see changed. The letters make clear that the Environmental Protection Agency is corporate America's top target."
"Record high global food prices showed no sign of relenting following a rash of catastrophic weather, highlighted by a major U.S. snowstorm and a cyclone in Australia, which could put yet more pressure on prices and spark further unrest around the world."
Since early fall 2010 there have been thousands of minor earthquakes around Guy, Arkansas. Some residents think the earthquake swarm is connected to the onset of gas drilling in the local shale formation.
"The billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch no longer sit outside Washington's political establishment, isolated by their uncompromising conservatism. Instead, they are now at the center of Republican power, a change most evident in the new makeup of the House Energy and Commerce Committee."
