CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced an initiative to boost the state’s sustainability efforts through the increased use of electric vehicles. Under the plan, the state will invest $1 million of Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding to install state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure throughout the Chicagoland area.[Read More…]
Science
Statement from HHS on the Regulation for the Enforcement of Federal Health Care Conscience Protections
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2011. The administration strongly supports provider conscience laws that protect and support the rights of health care providers, and also recognizes and supports the rights of patients. Strong conscience laws make it clear that health care providers cannot be compelled to perform or assist in an abortion. Many[Read More…]
Delta Fined for Violating Rules Protecting Air Travelers with Disabilities
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty of $2 million against Delta Air Lines for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities. This civil penalty is the largest penalty ever assessed against an airline by the Department of Transportation in a non-safety-related[Read More…]
FDA Warns Against Certain Uses of Asthma Drug Terbutaline for Preterm Labor
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that terbutaline administered by injection or through an infusion pump should not be used in pregnant women for prevention or prolonged (beyond 48-72 hours) treatment of preterm labor due to the potential for serious maternal heart problems and[Read More…]
The Placebo Effect: Expecting the Best, Fearing the Worst
GREAT BRITAIN–(ENEWSPF)–17 February 2011. Poor expectations of treatment can override all the effect of a potent pain-relieving drug, a brain imaging study at Oxford University has shown. In contrast, positive expectations of treatment doubled the natural physiological or biochemical effect of the opioid drug among the healthy volunteers in the[Read More…]
Integrating Food and Energy Crops Can Help Reduce Poverty, New UN Study Finds
NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–17 February 2011 – Farming systems that combine crops that can be used for food and fuel can help reduce poverty and boost food and energy security, says a new report published today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The report, entitled “Making Integrated Food-Energy Systems[Read More…]
Kirk Joins Senators in Criticizing EPA Dust Regulations
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 16, 2011. U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill) joined more than 30 Senators in strongly criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for considering a regulation on farm and rural dust. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, co-authored by Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Sen. Kent Conrad and[Read More…]
Remarks by President Obama on America’s Great Outdoors Initiative
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 16, 2011 – 5:05 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Well, welcome to the White House, everybody. It is great to have you here. What better place to hold our Great Outdoors event than right here, inside the East Room. (Laughter.) We thought it might be a little chilly for[Read More…]
Pipeline Problems: Transporting Tar Sands Oil Increases Likelihood of Spills
WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 16, 2011. A report released today highlights the elevated risk of pipeline spills throughout the nation as a result of increasing imports of dangerous tar sands oil. “Transporting tar sands crude is much more dangerous than transporting traditional oil,” said Sierra Club Dirty Fuels Campaign Director Kate Colarulli.[Read More…]
Study: Ozone Layer’s Future Linked Strongly to Changes in Climate
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 16, 2011. The ozone layer — the thin atmospheric band high-up in the stratosphere that protects living things on Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, not to be confused with damaging ozone pollution close to the ground — faces potential new challenges even as it continues its[Read More…]
