Energy on Wednesday July 01, 2009

AR: Stimulus funds to aid energy efficiency
By Rob Mero, Northwest Arkansas Times
Fayetteville is receiving $725,000 in federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency and conservation projects.
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CA: EPA lets state get tougher on new vehicles
By Matthew B. Stannard, San Francisco Chronicle
Federal officials on Tuesday cleared California to impose tough greenhouse gas limits on new motor vehicles that more than a dozen other states can follow immediately and that will form the basis of new nationwide rules in 2012.
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CA: EPA to let Calif. set own auto emissions limits
By David A. Fahrenthold, The Washington Post
The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday granted California's request to set its own limits on greenhouse gases from autos -- a long-sought victory with limited impact now that the federal government has pledged to impose national limits.
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HI: Lingle discloses potential vetoes
By Derrick DePledge, The Honolulu Advertiser
Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday gave state lawmakers a list of bills she may veto, including proposals to restructure public hospitals, raise a tax on petroleum products to fund food and energy security programs, and tighten high-technology investment tax credits.
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LA: Funds to help create oyster reefs off La. coast
By Advocate staff, The Advocate (Baton Rouge)
A Louisiana environmental group received $4 million in stimulus money from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for creation of oyster reefs for shoreline protection purposes.
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MA: State draws zones for coast wind farms
By Beth Daley, The Boston Globe
Dozens of wind turbines could sprout within sight of the Massachusetts shoreline under a first-of-its-kind state blueprint with the promise of generating both electricity and controversy.
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MS: Miss. lawmakers finish most of $6B budget, not PSC
By Emily Wagster Pettus, The Associated Press, The Sun Herald (Biloxi)
Bleary-eyed Mississippi lawmakers approved most of the $6 billion budget before the state fiscal year started early Wednesday, addressing Medicaid and public safety while leaving only the state's utility regulatory agency unfunded.
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NJ: N.J. gets OK to establish vehicle emission standards
By Tom Hester Sr., newjerseynewsroom.com
New Jersey has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles as part of a federal effort to prevent climate change, Gov. Jon Corzine announced Tuesday.
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NM: Feds allow New Mexico and 13 other states to reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions
By Trip Jennings, New Mexico Independent
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted a waiver on Tuesday that allows California and 13 other states, including New Mexico, to create regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new automobiles, according the governor's office late Tuesday afternoon.
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OK: Oklahoma House Speaker, AT&T announce CNG vehicles
By The Associated Press, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City)
TULSA, Okla.— AT&T is rolling out a fleet of at least 30 compressed natural gas vehicles this year in part because of tax incentives approved by the Oklahoma Legislature.
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OR: Oregon green groups tally up legislative wins, losses
By Scott Learn, The Oregonian (Portland)
The Oregon Conservation Network today released a detailed rundown of how environmental bills fared in Oregon's 2009 Legislature.
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RI: EPA lets R.I., 13 other states impose tougher auto emission standards
By Peter B. Lord, The Providence Journal
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday granted California, Rhode Island and 12 other states the authority they had sought for years to impose automobile tailpipe emissions standards that are stricter than those promulgated by the federal government.
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SD: Xcel Energy seeks rate increase
By Thom Gabrukiewicz, Argus Leader (Sioux Falls)
Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy on Tuesday applied for an electric rate increase that would raise the monthly bill for a typical residential user by 12.4 percent, or $8.55.
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VT: Vermont air -- Clean, but not perfect
By Free Press staff, Burlington Free Press
Breathing in the air in Chittenden and Rutland counties slightly increases the risk of developing cancer compared to the rest of Vermont, according to the government's latest snapshot of air pollution across the nation.
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WV: Manchin's energy plan among new July 1 laws
By The Associated Press, Charleston Gazette
As Congress continues to debate cap-and-trade, the clock will start ticking Wednesday on a measure aimed at energy and the environment in West Virginia.
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