Uncategorized

Ontario Clean-air Scenario

In Ontario, Canada, the three major political parties have agreed to shut down all five of the province’s coal-burning power plants by 2015, the biggest success so far in an anti-coal campaign that is gaining momentum in Canada. Enviros will be particularly glad to get rid of the Nanticoke power plant on the northern shore […]

We Shall Call Them Mini-cells

President Bush predicts that his grandkids will be part of the first generation that will learn to drive in fuel-cell vehicles, but society may not have to wait for First Twins Jenna and Barbara to settle down to family life before we’ll see some benefits from fuel cells. By the end of this decade, miniature […]

No Fly Zone

Although it’s hardly what Iraq is most famous for right now, the nation is an ornithologist’s paradise — and war there could be a disaster for migrating birds. If combat begins during March or April, as expected, the situation will be especially grave, because during these spring migration months, millions of birds cross Iraq en […]

Canada Too Dry

Riverside forests across Alberta, Canada, are dying off as a result of too many dams on the Bow River and other important waterways. The dams create reservoirs for drinking water and irrigation, prevent flooding, and generate electricity — but at a steep price, say Alberta environmentalists. Natural floods in the river valleys spread water and […]

Batten Down the Hatcheries

Hatchery salmon could spell trouble for their wild-born cousins by spreading genetic traits that impede survival, according to an article appearing in the current issue of the journal Science. The authors of the article found that Chinook salmon raised in a Canadian commercial hatchery laid significantly smaller eggs within four generations than wild salmon. In […]

Drilling Team

Speaking of which, advocates of opening up Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling say they are just one vote shy of getting their wish. As a result, they’re upping the pressure on four senators seen as potential swing voters: Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), and Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, […]

Bye-bayou?

Louisiana’s wetlands problem is the country’s wetlands problem, according to Karen Gautreaux, chair of the state’s wetlands restoration panel and executive assistant to Gov. Mike Foster (R). Speaking before the Louisiana House and Senate Natural Resources committees, Gautreaux said the state’s coastline can never be returned to its original condition and can only be restored […]

In Need of Refuge

540 — number of national wildlife refuges in the U.S.1 95.3 million — size, in acres, of the refuge system2 19.3 million — size, in acres, of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the largest refuge in the country3 0.6 — size, in acres, of Minnesota’s Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, the smallest refuge in the […]

Howell of Protest

Under federal regulations, private developers have to pay market rates to lease land bordering the 456 lakes owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. But last month, Ronald Howell signed a 50-year rent-free lease on 280 along Oklahoma’s Skiatook Lake, which is owned by the corps, to build a $10 million resort, complete with […]

Buhl-dozed

After weeks of intense controversy, the Maryland Senate yesterday rejected Lynn Buhl as secretary of the environment, marking the first time in the state’s history that a governor’s cabinet nominee has been turned down. The 26-21 vote was a major blow to Maryland Republicans and Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Jr. (R), who had championed Buhl, a […]