Comprehensive study developed by Interior and seven basin states looks at water supply and demand over the next 50 years; includes range of proposed strategies from stakeholders to mitigate projected imbalances WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–December 13, 2012. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar yesterday announced the release of a study – authorized[Read More…]

UK–(ENEWSPF)–13 December 2012. A study of closely-related bird species has found that they do not coexist in the same region because they remain too ecologically similar and will out-compete each other, not because of geographical barriers or unsuitable habitats. Oxford University scientists examined ‘sister’ species – species that are each[Read More…]

Local jurisdictions given authority to approve commercial development South Lake Tahoe, CA–(ENEWSPF)–December 13, 2012.  Lake Tahoe took a body blow yesterday, as the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency handed off responsibilities for basin protections to local governments by issuing a greatly weakened new regional plan. The new plan allows increased development[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–December 13, 2012. Underscoring the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above strategy to develop more secure, domestic energy sources and strengthen American competitiveness in the global market, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu yesterday announced seven offshore wind awards for projects in Maine, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Virginia. As part of the[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 12, 2012.  A recent bill introduced in Congress aims to radically alter notions of conflict of interest and would severely hamper the ability of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board (EPA SAB) to reach independent and objective scientific conclusions that can form the basis of policy[Read More…]

Danskammer coal plant to be torn down after sale complete, marks 126th nationwide Town of Newburgh, NY–(ENEWSPF)–December 11, 2012.  The Danskammer coal plant in the Mid-Hudson Valley will be retired and torn down following its sale from Dynegy Inc. to ICS NY Holdings. The plant was purchased for just $3.5 million[Read More…]

This image uses the model output from the ECMWF experiment, showing where Sandy was predicted to be located 4 days out with the normal satellite data inputs into the model (left) and without any polar-orbiting satellite data (right). Both position and intensity forecasts were affected – Sandy stays out to[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–December 11, 2012.  A new NASA-funded prototype system developed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) of Boulder, Colo., now is providing weather forecasts that can help flights avoid major storms as they travel over remote ocean regions. The eight-hour forecasts of potentially dangerous atmospheric conditions are designed for[Read More…]

Understanding the mechanisms behind quill penetration and extraction could help engineers design better medical devices. CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(ENEWSPF)–December 11, 2012. Anyone unfortunate enough to encounter a porcupine’s quills knows that once they go in, they are extremely difficult to remove. Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital now hope to[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 11, 2012. The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) is proposing to delay compliance with National Organic Standard Board (NOSB) recommendations to disallow non-essential synthetic vitamins, minerals, and accesory nutrients in products certified as organic. An interim rule proposed by NOP will enable the continued illegal use of these[Read More…]