EU–(ENEWSPF)–13 February 2012.  Liftoff of Vega VV01. PR 3 2012 – Vega, ESA’s new launch vehicle, is ready to operate alongside the Ariane 5 and Soyuz launchers after a successful qualification flight this morning from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.  With Vega extending the family of launchers available at[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 10, 2012.  Building on President Obama’s State of the Union address in which he discussed the Obama Administration’s commitment to supporting innovation and American companies, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the three winning startup companies  – based on a public vote and an expert review –[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 10, 2012.  Federal District Court Judge Nancy Buchwald heard oral arguments on January 31 on a pre-trial motion filed by Monsanto to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) on behalf of family farmers, seed businesses, organic agricultural organizations, and environmental groups. The[Read More…]

NRDC: ‘Budget Balances Needs of Today With the Wellbeing of Future Generations.’ WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 10, 2012.  The annual “Green Budget” report, sent to Congress today, outlines key federal investments and cuts that will keep air and water clean, and wildlife and outdoor spaces protected. The Natural Resources Defense Council and more[Read More…]

EU–(ENEWSPF)–10 February 2012.  ESA’s Venus Express spacecraft has discovered that our cloud-covered neighbour spins a little slower than previously measured. Peering through the dense atmosphere in the infrared, the orbiter found surface features were not quite where they should be.  Using the VIRTIS instrument at infrared wavelengths to penetrate the[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 9, 2012.   The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has concluded its mandatory hearing on Southern Nuclear Operating Company’s (SNC) application for two Combined Licenses (COL) at the Vogtle site in Georgia. In a 4-1 vote, the Commission found the staff’s review adequate to make the necessary regulatory safety and[Read More…]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–(ENEWSPF)–February 9, 2012.  Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) to be a viable threat to Illinois’ native Black Walnut tree population.  Quinn approved regulatory measures this month to restrict the movement of potentially-infested products into Illinois as a preventative measure to protect the economical and environmental[Read More…]

Sierra Club calls for responsible transition for workers at the plants West Virginia–(ENEWSPF)–February 9, 2012.  In a victory for clean air and local residents’ health, Ohio-based First Energy Corp. announced the retirements of three of its coal-fired power plants in West Virginia. The plants are slated to close on September[Read More…]

Local and National Groups Rally to Townspeople’s Defense Logan, WV–(ENEWSPF)–February 9, 2012.  Residents of Blair, West Virginia have noticed increased activity from mining company Arch Coal around the historic Blair Mountain Battlefield site. Members of the town have become more and more concerned about Arch’s activities and fear they are[Read More…]

Commissioning of all instrumentation on America’s new Suomi NPP satellite nearly complete Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 9, 2012 In this CrIS image the orange colors represent very warm sea surface temperatures, while magenta represents both very cold temperatures, as well as high-altitude cloud tops. When all of CrIS’s channels are used, users[Read More…]