National (U.S.)

"Under rules to be proposed this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to add Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease and hairy-cell leukemia to the growing list of illnesses presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange, the toxic defoliant used widely in Vietnam."

A bipartisan op-ed in the New York Times, penned by Sens. John Kerry and Lindsay Graham, set off a new round of speculation about the prospects for a climate bill. GOP support may be attracted by fast-tracking new nuclear plants, more offshore drilling, and subsidies for fossil fuels.

New York "is asking local government agencies to regulate key aspects of the natural gas industry, raising yet more questions about who will pay for manpower to oversee multinational energy companies setting up shop in Southern Tier's backyards."

"As U.S. Air Force officials marked the 50th anniversary of the deployment of nuclear missiles to sites in the rural United States this past week, residents in some of these communities are still grappling with another legacy — groundwater pollution from chemicals used to clean and maintain the weapons."

"The Obama administration is proposing a sea change in how we manage our oceans, including a comprehensive policy on fishing, offshore energy, and shipping."

"Citing danger to marine life, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration opposes opening large tracts of coast to drilling and recommends buffer zones off Santa Barbara."

"A new documentary film sets out to show how mining for coal affects the people who live in Coal Country."

"Federal officials this week offered the first national blueprint on how to clean up methamphetamine labs — prompting state health experts to consider changes to their policies."

"The group of Cabinet secretaries and White House advisers who meet regularly to craft the president's energy and environmental agenda now numbers 13, double what it was during the administration's early days. It's just one of the signs that the administration is stepping up its push to pass energy and climate legislation this year."