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California updates plan for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions

How will California meet its goal to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020? It’s so glad you asked. On Wednesday, the state Air Resources Board released an update to its draft proposal for cutting emissions. The updated plan adds in analysis related to newly signed laws that discourage sprawl and encourage green jobs, […]

BLM publishes proposed rule which ignores House committee’s resolution

Originally posted at the Wonk Room. —– The Bush administration is rushing forward with plans to mine the Grand Canyon for uranium, ignoring a command from Congress to cease such operations. Since 2003, mining interests have staked out over 800 uranium claims within five miles of Grand Canyon National Park. As Mineweb reports, “The Bureau […]

Florida to release tough climate action plan

The state government of Florida is set today to release its action plan on climate change, which includes significant reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and indicates that the state stands to reap $28 billion in net economic savings by 2025 if it moves forward with cutting carbon. A draft summary [PDF] of the plan from the […]

EDF’s and MIT’s magical thinking on carbon caps and oil

Last week I critiqued EDF’s pointless video/graphics competition (see here). The contest is pointless because a carbon cap can’t cure our oil addiction. Indeed, under any plausible cap, U.S. oil consumption rises. Gernot Wagner, an economist at Environmental Defense Fund, responded with a post here: “‘Bizarre’? No. Tough? Yes: Joseph Romm’s critique of EDF’s contest […]

Starbucks addresses water wastage following tabloid indictment

As John Edwards always said, never underestimate the power of a tabloid. Following the revelation in British rag-mag The Sun that constantly running dipper wells waste a humongous amount of water, a Starbucks spokesperson confirms, “Stores will be instructed to switch off the dipper well tap and will wash spoons after use.” And the plot […]

Bottled water is a sham answer to low-quality tap water

Speaking of bottled water, get this, from Environmental Working Group:  The bottled water industry promotes an image of purity, but comprehensive testing by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals a surprising array of chemical contaminants in every bottled water brand analyzed, including toxic byproducts of chlorination in Walmart’s Sam’s Choice and Giant Supermarket’s Acadia brands, […]

Umbra on eco-themed Halloween costumes

Dear Umbra, Every year my friends and I throw a big Halloween party, and I had the amazing idea of dressing up as Sarah Palin. Unfortunately, I just found out that’s currently the most popular costume in my city (and most likely the U.S.), so I’m thinking about tipping my hat to my love of […]

Oversight Committee says White House overstepped its bounds

Back in June, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was ready to vote on whether to hold U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Office of Management and Budget’s Susan Dudley in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over documents related to the controversial decisions on smog and California’s request for an emissions waiver. […]

In series of video spoofs, Grist tries to stump the candidates with tough climate questions

While sitting on a panel about bias in the media, Dan Rather called out the contrived format of the presidential debates, saying, “First of all, these aren’t debates. They are a ‘something,’ but they aren’t debates.” We feel ya, Dan. Which is why we sought out the meatiest environmental questions that talented Grist actors the […]

Bush admin aims to increase mountain-bike access to national parks

Mountain bikers will have easier access to national parks and other public lands under plans the Biker-in-Chief is trying to push through before leaving office. (Ninety-seven days!) The National Park Service said Tuesday that it will propose a rule by Nov. 15 that would speed up decision-making about mountain-bike trails by putting park managers in […]