Washington, DC, Nov 27, 2009 — Congress is considering restricting carbon emissions causing climate change with a cap-and-trade scheme. But, recent polls show only a handful of people have heard of cap-and-trade. Even fewer understand what it is. Lester Graham reports cap-and-trade is not new.  Go to full article

Cleveland, OH, Nov 23, 2009 — As Congress begins debate on climate change legislation, American businesses are watching very closely. Some are worried that a new law could bankrupt them with energy costs. But others see a bright future under carbon limits. Julie Grant reports.  Go to full article

Midland Charter Township, MI, Nov 13, 2009 — The Environmental Protection Agency was to be in Ft Edward last night for an information session on the dredging of PCB-laden sediment from the Hudson River. The $780 million project is expected to take six years. It's the biggest clean up of a river in the country. The first phase of the cleanup concluded in October.

PCBs are considered probable carcinogens. General Electric plants in Fort Edward and neighboring Hudson Falls dumped PCB-contaminated wastewater into the Hudson for decades before PCBs were banned in 1977. GE has been doing the clean up, supervised by the EPA. They'll review this past summer's work over the winter. The next dredging work is expected in 2011.

GE fought the plan to dredge PCBs for years. Spokesman Mark Behan told the Albany Times Union the company has not committed to continue to pay for the clean up when dredging resumes.

A fight over dioxin pollution from a Dow Chemical plant in central Michigan also dates back over 30 years. It's a local issue that's made national news, like the Hudson River PCBs. And it's still unresolved, despite administration changes, Congressional hearings, and whistle-blower awards. Shawn Allee met the man who first took the issue to Congress and who feels it should make news again.  Go to full article

Oct 28, 2009 — A rural tradition is now a thing of the past, or at least, so says the law. Two weeks ago, New York outlawed burn barrels and many other types of open burning. You can still burn brush and small tree limbs and have small campfires. The question is will people obey the new burn ban? David Sommerstein surveyed some residents and has our story.  Go to full article

Bangkok, , Oct 08, 2009 — In December, the world's nations meet in Copenhagen to try to come up with a treaty to deal with climate change. Right now, preliminary talks are going on in Bangkok. Lester Graham reports observers don't think there's much progress.  Go to full article

Portsmouth, NH, Oct 01, 2009 — There are a growing number of proposals to build wood-burning biomass power plants in the Northeast. Some environmentalists say wood can be a renewable low-carbon fuel. But others aren't convinced. As part of a collaboration with public radio stations in the Northeast, WNPR's Nancy Cohen reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 30, 2009 — Two weeks from today, it'll be against the law to burn trash and most everything else in New York State. The new burn ban targets backyard burn barrels, which are heavy polluters and the biggest source of cancer-causing dioxins in our air. But it also bans the burning of leaves, newspapers, and agricultural plastics like bale wraps. Campfires, burning brush, and natural agricultural waste will still be allowed. The Department of Environmental Conservation is scrambling to get the word out about the details of the law and its enforcement. The DEC's Lori Severino told David Sommerstein most forms of open burning will be banned.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Sep 25, 2009 — More than 100 world leaders are in New York today talking about climate change at the United Nations. A new report from the US Environmental Protection Agency says a big chunk of greenhouse gas emissions can be pinned on how we use land and resources. Tamara Keith reports.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Aug 24, 2009 — The recession doesn't have a lot of upsides, but there is an environmental silver lining. Carbon dioxide emissions are down. But, as Tamara Keith reports, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise as the economy improves.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Aug 11, 2009 — A new national report from a business consulting group says energy efficiency could be a better solution to meeting our energy needs than building new power plants. Shawn Allee reports that new finding supports the Obama administration's call for more energy conservation.  Go to full article