“The U.S. Supreme Court is currently addressing a question of crucial importance to the U.S. economy: Is carbon dioxide, from fossil-fuel burning for energy production a ‘pollutant’ that requires regulation? The petitioners, led by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, demand regulation — interpreting the Clean Air Act differently than the respondent, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. […]
“As Christmas approaches, a virgin mother is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her offspring. She’s Flora, the Komodo dragon. In an evolutionary twist, Flora has managed to become pregnant all on her own without any male help. It would seem the timing is auspicious: The seven baby Komodo dragons are due this festive season.” (12/21/06)
“NASA managers in Houston, meanwhile, faced a series of complicated trade-offs about where to land the spacecraft. They may have to decide among three imperfect choices as they try to select a landing site. The forecast calls for low clouds and showers at Kennedy Space Center, where Discovery is slated to land Friday. Crosswinds are […]
“The CEO of Taco John’s Restaurants says the Tex-Mex chain, is still safe to eat at despite confirmed cases of E. coli contamination. … According to the Austin Daily Herald, the outbreak occurred in customers who ate at the three restaurants between Nov. 28 and Dec. 3. Working with state health departments, Fisherkeller said he […]
“Most people who think of dams envision strapping big boys: Hoover, Glen Canyon, Grand Coulee, or Three Gorges in China. Asked how many dams are in the United States, people typically guess eight or nine hundred. In fact, America’s rivers contain 79,000 high-hazard dams the size of a two-story building; another estimated two million smaller […]
“Meet the man who may determine the fate of climate policy in the next two years: Rep. John Dingell. The formidable Democrat from Michigan, now 80, has served 51 years in the House of Representatives — the second-longest of any congressional career in history. During that time, he played a key role in pushing through […]
“During the holidays, it seems that everything is put into overdrive. Of course, feelings of good will thrive, charitable donations usually rise and there’s just something about this time of year that can make a believer even out of your average Scrooge. But there is a yin to Christmas’ yang. Increased spending and conventional gift-giving […]
“Airlines that fly within the European Union will have to trade pollution allowances beginning in 2011, the European Commission said Wednesday, which could see travelers pay more for popular short-break trips. Expanded rules covering all airlines that fly into the EU will take effect the next year, a move that would hit U.S. airlines on […]
“Gov. Bill Richardson endorsed proposed legislation Tuesday that would restrict the ability of local governments to exercise powers of eminent domain. Under the proposal, eminent domain powers would be removed from the Metropolitan Redevelopment Act, and both the Urban Renewal Law and the Community Development Law would be repealed. It would not interfere with traditional […]
“The price of corn shot up during the last months of 2006. Corn sold for $2 per bushel at the beginning of 2006, and by the end of the year, the price had zoomed to $3.75. It’s not that folks are eating more corn on the cob. The rising demand has come from the increased […]
