Topic: Sierra Club

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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 12/03
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Girl Scouts under scrutiny from Catholic bishops

Conservative criticism of alleged Girl Scouts policy on sexuality, birth control, and abortion pulls the organization back into the culture wars with an investigation by Catholic bishops. It's not the first time the girls have been caught in political crossfire.
EPA official resigns over 'crucify' flap

Al Amerdariz, the top EPA official for Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, has drawn fire for referring to Roman crucifixions in saying he'd make examples of environmental offenders.
Cover Story
With all this natural gas, who needs oil?

It's home-grown, plentiful, and touted as the best way to wean the US off Mideast oil. But there are limits to how far the US can tilt toward a natural gas economy.
Natural gas: Should America export its surplus?

A new liquefied natural gas export terminal in Louisiana just received federal approval. But the demand for more export permits has some industrial consumers worried they'll pay higher prices.
Change Agent
GoodGuide and others use technology to help turn consumers green

A host of companies and nonprofits are using technology – from smartphones to social networking – to make it easier for consumers to choose environmentally friendly products.
President Algae? Obama not green enough, say environmentalists

President Obama has blocked the Keystone pipeline, backed biofuels, and prioritizes the earth over people, say GOP presidential candidates. Environmentalists say Obama is a big disappointment. Who's right?
Change Agent
Solar power: cheap electricity for world’s poor

More than a billion people worldwide lack access to electricity. The best way to bring it to them is to provide ever-cheaper, clean, locally produced solar power that can replace dirty and dangerous kerosene.
Forget '.com,' are you ready for '.bank' or '.Vegas'? ICANN opens the door.

ICANN, the group that manages the use of Internet suffixes such as '.com,' has announced that next year, websites can make their own suffixes. With a big fee involved, not everyone will do it, but the move could unleash reams of new suffixes on web surfers.
Green Economics
Why the Sierra Club is worried about 'cap and trade'

The Sierra Club has some serious concerns with California's 'cap and trade' program, but they may not have as much to worry about as they think
Difference Maker
Hilton Kelley helps clean up Texas Gulf Coast town

Hilton Kelley balances fighting air pollution with job creation and talking with chemical and oil companies in Port Arthur, Texas.
Solar power plant lawsuit thrown out in Calif.

Solar power: The state supreme court said it would not review the Sierra Club's complaint against the Calico Solar Project -- one of a string of lawsuits accusing solar power plant projects across the largest U.S. state of harming the environment.
Coal power: TVA agrees to phase out 18 units, shift to cleaner fuels

Tennessee Valley Authority says it will phase out 18 older coal-fired generators at three power plants by 2020. Natural-gas and biomass units will replace the coal power as part of a TVA settlement over clean-air violations.
Renewable energy: Will new law help or hurt California economy?

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation requiring California utilities to obtain 33 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Diggin' It
More great garden books

Garden writers recommend more of the books that really impressed them in the past year.
Costly fence on US-Mexico border is effective – only in hurting nature

In addition to sinking $1 billion into the failed "virtual fence," the US government has spent $2.6 billion for 650 miles of solid border. This wall doesn’t deter people – but it does defy the laws that protect the land.
Tax breaks for wealthy donors: Schools struggle, while the rich fund golf tourneys

Tax deductions for charitable giving mean the rich can fund their pet causes while the government loses vital tax revenue. This loophole effectively takes the public good out of the hands of voter-elected representatives and subjects it to the whims of wealthy donors.
State of the Union: The crafting of a speech

A former White House speechwriter tells what goes into drafting the State of the Union address and how the annual message to Congress has changed since the days of quill pens.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 12/03
Energy-efficient homes, courtesy of federal tax credit

An expiring tax credit is pushing homeowners to boost energy efficiency. Can it work for you?
Why the NRA is rallying behind endangered Democrats

Historically, the NRA has overwhelmingly supported Republicans. But Democrats began backing many pro-gun House candidates in 2006, and now the NRA is coming to their defense.
Green Economics
Will China dominate the green economy? And if they do, should we worry?

China's recent investment in renewable energy technology prompts concerns that China will take over American control of 'the green economy'.
What next after Democrats fail at campaign finance reform

Senate Republicans this week halted the Democrats' drive toward campaign finance reform. Democrats can revive their attempt to bring needed transparency to corporate and union spending on campaign ads by compromising and reaching out to moderate Republicans.
Senate derails campaign finance bill ahead of 2010 elections

Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic campaign finance bill Tuesday, leaving corporations free to spend as much as they want on political ads ahead of the 2010 elections this November.
Edward Burtynsky and Ansel Adams: A pairing of devastation and beauty

In a new exhibition, Ansel Adams's iconic nature images are contrasted with Edward Burtynsky's industrial scapes of rock quarries, coal heaps, and rusty ships.
Global News Blog
Bear with jar stuck on head highlights dangers of humans [video]

A bear with jar stuck on its head roamed Thunder Bay, Canada, for several weeks unable to eat food or drink water. The incident underscores the perils of open landfills, says an environmental watchdog.