Watchdogs were alarmed last week that the GOP "budget-cutting" campaign had targeted OpenGov data programs in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires. But sharp-eyed Daniel Schuman has been covering the developments on the Sunlight Foundation's blog since the first fiscal year 2011 budget bill passed.
The Freedom-of-Information establishment annually tries to remind the citizens and journalists of our democracy that this form of government must have a free press and lots of information to be healthy. This year was no exception. They celebrated "Sunshine Week," advancing freedom-of-information on many fronts.
The 2012 Aspen Environment Forum in Colorado, presented by the Aspen Institute in partnership with National Geographic, will focus on Living in the New Normal: how the planet is adapting, how we are adapting, and how adapting does not mean accepting.
"While U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has made environmental justice one of the seven priorities for her term in office, a new review she commissioned criticizes the agency's anti-discrimination program for both employees and contractors."
If stalemated budget talks lead to a federal government shutdown, one of the most visible impacts would be the closing of National Parks.
Neighborhood organizers won a settlement Tuesday that promises better cleanup of "green water" runoff from a former chrome production plant in Jersey City.
"The Alberta government has proposed new environmental rules that would revoke a number of oil sands leases – including those which already have active projects – in an effort to protect sensitive habitat, wildlife and forest land in the most industrialized area of the province."
"Looking at total domestic production, renewable fuels pulled even with nuclear power in 2010, according to federal data. But nuclear still powers 20 percent of U.S. grid, while wind and solar are barely on the map."
"In case there was any doubt, the White House on Tuesday issued a formal statement opposing a bill now before the House that would bar the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases for the purpose of combating climate change." The House could pass it as soon as Wednesday, April 6.
"GATLINBURG, Tenn. -- Crews on Tuesday recovered the bodies of two workers from the rubble of a wastewater-treatment plant wall that collapsed earlier in the day, while officials continued to investigate what caused the breach that released sewage into a rain-swollen river at Great Smoky Mountains National Park."
Bill Poovey reports for the Associated Press April 5, 2011.
