ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL BLOGS

APNewsBreak: Arctic scientist under investigation - Yahoo! News

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A federal wildlife biologist whose observation in 2004 of presumably drowned polar bears in the Arctic helped to galvanize the global warming movement has been placed on administrative leave and is being investigated for scientific misconduct, possibly over the veracity of that article.

via news.yahoo.com

Too early to conclude anything yet; this "bears" watching.

The green killer: Scores of protected golden eagles dying after colliding with wind turbines | Mail Online

California's attempts to switch to green energy have inadvertently put the survival of the state�s golden eagles at risk.

Scores of the protected birds have been dying each year after colliding with the blades of about 5,000 wind turbines.

Now the drive for renewable power sources, such as wind and the sun, being promoted by President Obama and state Governor

via www.dailymail.co.uk

BLOG.BILLLAWRENCEONLINE.COM: Pa. Wind Turbines Destroying Environment

Bats, as scary as they are to some, are one of the more useful mammals in creation. The diets of those species common in Pennsylvania consist of mosquitoes and other insect pests including the ones that damage crops.

A colony of 100 brown bats can consume of a quarter-million insects in a single night. Science magazine has estimated the pest control service provided by bats can save farmers about $74 per acre.

Well, the unattractive wind turbines built at the hectoring of  the nature worshipers who've managed to convince most that they are the arbiters of all dogma scientific are turning out to be a bit of an environmental disaster.

The 420 wind turbines in use in Pennsylvania  killed 10,000 bats last year.

via blog.billlawrenceonline.com

Rice Lashes Out at Russia for Blocking U.N. Council From Tackling Climate Change - FoxNews.com

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice this week issued a blistering rebuke of Russia, China and other countries that blocked the Security Council from adopting a statement linking the threat of climate change to international peace and security.

During the Security Council’s first formal debate in four years on the environment Wednesday, Russia was not swayed by Western nations led by Germany, this month's council president, insisting that the 15-nation panel needs to respond to the effects that climate change has had on Sudan's Darfur region and in Somalia, where the United Nations say famine had struck two areas.

via www.foxnews.com

You live long enough and you come to conclusions you never thought you'd reach--like actually thanking Russia for opposing the West's religious-like obsession with climate change. To the Western elites: the world simply does not share your apocolyptic visions, so stop trying to impose your beliefs on others.

Electric cars may not be so green after all, says British study | The Australian

An electric car owner would have to drive at least 129,000km before producing a net saving in CO2. Many electric cars will not travel that far in their lifetime because they typically have a range of less than 145km on a single charge and are unsuitable for long trips. Even those driven 160,000km would save only about a tonne of CO2 over their lifetimes.

The British study, which is the first analysis of the full lifetime emissions of electric cars covering manufacturing, driving and disposal, undermines the case for tackling climate change by the rapid introduction of electric cars.

via www.theaustralian.com.au

Who'd a thunk it?

EPA Drops Tough New Lead Paint Rule In Face Of Industry Opposition

The Environmental Protection Agency dropped on Friday an effort to add more testing requirements to existing lead paint rules in the face of fierce opposition from construction groups and other businesses.

via www.huffingtonpost.com

A rare win for business in this Administration.

Incandescent “ban” repeal passes in House — by voice vote « Hot Air

A standalone effort to reverse federal standards that had the effect of banning cheap incandescent bulbs failed earlier this week, angering conservatives who saw the issue as symbolic of the nanny-state regulatory approach in Congress.  However, a similar measure added as an amendment to another bill passed by voice vote earlier today:

via hotair.com

That's one small step...

This (if it clears the Senate and is signed by Obama) is effective for only the budget year, as this was an amendment to the Department of Energy funding bill. Still, it's a bright spot (pardon the pun) in the lightbulb wars. Do we need the feds to regulate EVERYTHING?

67% Oppose Upcoming ‘Ban’ on Traditional Light Bulbs - Rasmussen Reports™

The new government regulations provide for the manufacture of similar-looking bulbs that will last longer and be more energy-efficient – but also more expensive. Critics view the regulations as unnecessary government intrusion in the free market and see them as effectively banning the kind of light bulb Americans have used for decades.

Just 20% of adults think the sale of traditional light bulbs should be banned. Sixty-seven percent (67%) oppose such a ban. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided.

via www.rasmussenreports.com

The House GOP just tried to repeal this law but couldn't get the 2/3rds majority apparently needed to send this bill to the Senate. Anyway, with the Democrats in control on the Senate and the White Hosue, the bill was never destined for ultimate success. Further action on this will have to await the 2012 elections.

Poll: Most see disasters, few climate turn - UPI.com

Only 44 percent say they "believe the theory" that carbon dioxide emissions are warming the Earth, down from 51 percent in 2009 and 71 percent in 2007, but most movement has been into the "not sure" column.

via www.upi.com