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Saturday, April 26, 2008
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From The High Country News: "It's been three decades since a nuclear power plant has been built in the United States. Now, under the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the Energy Department is working hard to lure new proposals, adding billions in tax breaks and 'cost overrun guarantees' and streamlining its licensing process with four ready-to-use designs, early site permits and a combined construction permit and operating license. The 104 nuclear power plants currently in the U.S. generate about 20 percent of the nation's electricity. Some Energy Department plans call for as many as 50 new nuclear plants by 2020, producing 50,000 megawatts. Twenty-two applications are currently on file with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including proposals for plants in Utah and Idaho. Nuclear weapon development is ramping up as well, with a budget next year of $6.6 billion."
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9:58:47 AM 
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From The Environmental News Service: "Hundreds of Environmental Protection Agency scientists say they have been pressured by superiors to skew their findings, according to a survey released Wednesday by an advocacy group. The Union of Concerned Scientists said more than half of the nearly 1,600 EPA staff scientists who responded online to a detailed questionnaire reported they had experienced incidents of political interference in their work...Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., in a letter sent Wednesday to Johnson, called the survey results disturbing and said they "suggest a pattern of ignoring and manipulating science." He said he planned to pursue the issue at an upcoming hearing by his Oversight and Government Reform Committee where Johnson is scheduled to testify."
"2008 pres"
9:50:06 AM
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From The Glenwood Springs Post Independent: "Water quality sampling data from energy companies and other sources in the Southern Piceance Basin -- which covers most of Garfield County and parts of Mesa County -- will soon be compiled into a publicly accessible database. It is expected to be ready by the middle of next year. The 'web-accessible common data repository' will provide area residents, researchers, consultants and energy producers with the latest water-quality sampling data. It will be built and administered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), according to a statement from the USGS and the West Divide Conservancy District. The new database got a big boost recently after the West Divide Water Conservancy District received a $300,000 Mineral Impact Fund grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. The grant will cover about half of the project's total cost of $604,000. Contributions from area local governments, energy companies, the USGS and area water conservation districts will match the grant...
An overview of the water-quality database will be presented as part of a discussion of local water resources on Tuesday, April 29, at the Colorado Mountain College Auditorium, 3695 Airport Rd. in Rifle, and Thursday, May 1, at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center, 0398 Arroyo Dr. Both presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public. The USGS will also have a booth at the Garfield County Energy Expo on April 30 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle."
"2008 pres"
8:34:20 AM
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Political Wire: "A new American Research Group poll in Indiana finds Sen. Hillary Clinton leading Sen. Barack Obama, 50% to 45%."
Political Wire: "According to a new Harvard Institute of Politics poll, young voters "overwhelmingly prefer" Sen. Barack Obama to Sen. Hillary Clinton, 70% to 30%."
Political Wire: "Sen. Barack Obama holds a narrow lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton in Indiana, 41% to 38%, according to a new Indianapolis Star-WTHR poll."
Political Wire: "A new Research 2000 poll in Indiana finds Sen. Barack Obama just edging Sen. Hillary Clinton, 48% to 47%. The poll has a 5 percent margin of error."
"2008 pres"
7:58:10 AM
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Scientists from NOAA are reporting that levels of greenhouse gases rose in 2007, according to The Denver Post. From the article:
Worldwide emissions of two major greenhouse gases -- carbon dioxide and methane -- jumped dramatically in 2007, according to a federal study released Wednesday. The preliminary findings by scientists at the Boulder-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration based on 60 sites around the world add to concerns global warming may be occurring more rapidly than predicted. The amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the primary driver of global warming, rose by 0.6 percent, or 19 billion tons last year, NOAA said. Carbon dioxide is produced primarily by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, and it has been accumulating at an accelerated pace since the 19th century, researchers say. Methane - an even more potent greenhouse gas - jumped by 27 million tons after nearly a decade with little or no increase. Scientists suspect that industrialization in Asia and the unprecedented thawing of permafrost in the Arctic are releasing ever-increasing amounts of the gases into the atmosphere. "I think the biggest question right now is whether what we're seeing in 2007 is a response to climate change in Arctic regions. The Arctic is full of permafrost, and there is a lot of carbon in permafrost, both carbon dioxide and methane," said NOAA atmospheric chemist Ed Dlugokencky.
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7:46:47 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/15/09; 2:21:44 PM.
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