Latest Articles
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In L.A., Mayor Villaraigosa plays footsie with Forever 21 over site of former farm
Photo: loudtiger When I lived in New York City, I used to marvel at the weeds that would force their way up through sidewalk cracks. What a will to live, I thought: From clumps of dirt crammed between concrete slabs, these vigorous shoots fended off the hard, slapping heels of a thousand rushing city dwellers, […]
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National Clean Energy Summit: Clinton miscellanea
A few more bits from Clinton’s Q&A were of interest. First, he was asked how he would respond to ordinary people’s pocketbook concerns on energy, and that’s when he really shined. (Responding to average folk was always Clinton’s strength.) He said that of course some of these reforms will raise the unit cost of energy […]
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How to start composting
Dig in to get the dirt on composting. Composting is a lot like sex. It’s a healthy, natural process involving fertility, tumbling around, and — when it’s going right — steaminess. On top of that, some people call it dirty. It’s not our fault we’re squeamish. Most Americans are praised from an early age for […]
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Sen. Gordon Smith’s frozen-foods plant violates environmental regs
Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith (R) is in hot water over a water-quality violation at his family’s food-processing plant. Wastewater from Smith Frozen Foods in eastern Oregon overflowed into a creek recently while the plant was processing corn, a violation of state environmental regulations. This is bad timing for Smith, who has been touting his eco-credentials […]
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Robert Rubin laments climate change, is forced to answer for Citi’s contribution to it
Robert Rubin — Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Citigroup Inc. and former Clinton administration Treasury Secretary, among many, many other things — gave the afternoon keynote speech at the National Clean Energy Summit, focusing on the macroeconomic woes facing the economy and the possibility for good energy policy to ameliorate them. […]
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Jones brings them to their feet
Van Jones just got a standing ovation — totally spontaneous and, to me at least, totally unexpected. It’s the first sign of genuine enthusiasm I’ve seen at this conference. Speaks again to Van’s incredible charisma and the power of his message.
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Cheney aide poised to head key division of Department of Energy
The Washington Post reports today that F. Chase Hutto III, a senior aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, is likely to be appointed as a key official at the Energy Department. Hutto has been a leading opponent of environmental regulations within the administration. A promotion to assistant secretary for policy and international affairs would put […]
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Snippets from the news
• Beijing air is peachy keen. • California utility snaps up wind power. • Ship pollution kills thousands each year. • Volkswagen delivers “clean diesel.” • Coal makes Arctic unhappy.
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Court tosses federal rule that limited air-pollution monitoring
States can enact tougher-than-federal monitoring requirements for air pollution from factories and power plants, after a federal appeals court tossed out a U.S. EPA rule keeping them from doing so. Primary plaintiff Sierra Club celebrated the victory; defendants were the U.S. EPA and the American Petroleum Institute, which should seem like an odd pair, but […]
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The First Law of Conferences
As a conference Q&A session goes on, the chances of a crotchety, long-winded, eccentric old guy standing up and asking a quasi-question that runs on for over five minutes and confuses everyone approaches one.
