Daily Archives: December 16, 2008

Rule Eases a Mandate Under a Law on Wildlife

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in the New York Times. The Interior Department announced a rule that has largely freed federal agencies from consulting independent biologists before projects that might harm federally protected wildlife.

Posted in Regulation, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Title, but Unclear Power, for a New Climate Czar

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in the New York Times. Carol M. Browner’s new position as White House coordinator of energy and climate policy may be undefined, but her thinking on those issues is clearly in line with the president-elect’s.

Posted in Climate Change, Energy, Policy | Leave a comment

First Self-Healing Coatings

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Technology Review. When a car’s underbody or a ship’s hull begins to corrode, it usually ends up junked. New protective coatings developed at the University of Illinois heal over their own scratches with no external … Continue reading →

Posted in Painting & Coating, Research | Leave a comment

Taking Pulp to the Pump

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Technology Review. Pulp and paper plants could soon double as biorefineries if financing for a Swedish gasification project is any indication. As gas prices have slumped this fall, threatening to run some biofuels innovators out … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels | Leave a comment

New Method Traces Zinc Pollution to Its Source

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection. A new way of pinpointing where zinc pollution in the atmosphere comes from could improve pollution monitoring and regulation, says research in the journal Analytical Chemistry. Imperial College London researchers say their work … Continue reading →

Posted in Air, Regulation, Research | Leave a comment

The 2008 Plentymag.com Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story from Plenty Magazine. Lucky for you, Plenty’s staff has compiled ideas for every important person in your life, from the woman who birthed you to the boss you’d really rather not have to buy a present … Continue reading →

Posted in Green Lifestyle | Leave a comment

EPA’s Risk Assessment Process Bogged Down by Unprecedented Challenges; Expansion of Current Model Could Help Meet Needs

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Via Docuticker. EPA’s Risk Assessment Process Bogged Down by Unprecedented Challenges; Expansion of Current Model Could Help Meet Needs Source: National Research Council The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s process of generating risk assessments — which estimate the potential adverse effects … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental Health, Regulation | Leave a comment

December 2008 ITP Bulletin

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

The December 2008 ITP Bulletin from DOE’s Industrial Technologies Program is now available.

Posted in Energy, Manufacturing | Leave a comment

The latest from Renewable Energy World

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include: New Mexico, Land of Windchantment More Universities Offering Master’s Degree Programs in Renewable Energy Inside Renewable Energy podcast: Energy Businesses Recognizing the Need to Diversify The UK: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | Leave a comment

Cheaper Cellulosic Ethanol

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Laura B.

Read the full story in Technology Review. Startup Qteros, based in Hadley, MA, and formerly known as SunEthanol, thinks that it holds the key to finally making cellulosic ethanol cost-effective. It’s a bacterium called the Q microbe, or, more properly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Research | Leave a comment