Senate Dents Shield Law for Reporters
A de facto filibuster by several Republicans, plus quibbling by some Democrats, caused a long-awaited markup of bill S 448 to end with no action.
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Coal Ash Data Waiting for Local Reporters
Use this roundup of sources to write a probing story about the ash, slag, and sludge from coal-burning electric utilities — which containins heavy metals that can pollute water, and even bury people's houses.
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Tapping the "Fishbowl" — Is EPA Doing Some Things Right on FOI?
OMB Watch, a fierce FOI advocacy group, says EPA has been working hard to push hitherto restricted data out to the public, citing the earliest-ever release of TRI data, monitoring data on atrazine in water, and more.
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"EPA Sues VF's North Face Over 'Pesticide' Shoes"
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a complaint against VF Corp, owner of the North Face brand, on Tuesday, claiming that more than 70 styles of shoes advertised as bacteria-killing by the company had not been registered with the agency."
Source: Reuters, 09/23/2009
"Genetically Engineered Sugar Beet Approval Illegal, Judge Rules"
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture's deregulation of genetically engineered RoundUp Ready sugar beets in 2004 was unlawful, a federal court in California ruled Monday."
Source: ENS, 09/23/2009
Plug-in Maker Gets $529-Million Loan from Obama Administration
"In its latest bid to help finance the car of tomorrow, the Obama administration said it would lend more than $500 million to Irvine-based Fisker Automotive Inc. to develop a pair of plug-in hybrids."
Source: LA Times, 09/23/2009
"White House Rolls Out Auto Fuel Economy, Emissions Standard"
"The Obama administration ... released details of its national suite of auto standards that would mandate increased fuel economy and impose the first-ever greenhouse gas standard on the nation's cars and trucks."
Source: Greenwire, 09/23/2009
"Murkowski CO2 Amendment Could Have Broad Reach"
"A possible amendment from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has the potential to handcuff U.S. EPA from exercising its full regulatory power [over greenhouse gases], a scenario that has sent shockwaves through the environmental community."
Source: ClimateWire, 09/23/2009
PG&E Leaves Chamber of Commerce Over Climate Issue
"Pacific Gas & Electric, the big California utility, has pulled out of the United States Chamber of Commerce over what its chairman, Peter Darbee, termed 'fundamental differences' over the climate change issue."
Source: NYTimes, 09/23/2009
"Big Polluters Told to Report Emissions"
"The Environmental Protection Agency said on Tuesday that it would require the nation’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases to start tracking their emission levels on Jan. 1 and report them to the government."
Source: NYTimes, 09/23/2009
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