Sub-zero temperatures strand thousands, kill more in Europe

WARSAW, Poland — Freezing temperatures left thousands of people stranded without power in the Balkans and elsewhere in Europe on Saturday, as the death toll from one of the coldest winters in years continued to rise.

Blizzards hit the Western Balkans, while heavy snowfalls and gale-force winds were expected to last until Monday. The storms deposited a fresh layer of snow and created tall drifts, further hampering access to many areas in the region. Several villages were without stable electricity supply, as wind and snow knocked down power lines. http://bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view/20120212sub-zero_temperatures_strand_thousands_kill_more_in_europe/

Article courtesy of the Boston Herald by Dominika Maslikowski, bori Babic and Clare Byrne/dpa

 

Energy-savings bug bites towns

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council last week selected Medway, Marlborough, and six other communities to take part in its new Local Energy Action Program to devise long-range energy plans and identify which projects have the best potential to successfully reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.   http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2012/02/12/medway_marlborough_picked_for_new_energy_planning_effort/

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe by Jose Martinez

Oil rises above $99 after US crude supply drop

SINGAPORE—Oil prices rose to above $99 a barrel Wednesday in Asia after an unexpected drop in U.S. crude supplies suggested demand is improving.

Benchmark crude for March delivery was up 83 cents at $99.24 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.50 to settle at $98.41 on Tuesday.  http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2012/02/08/oil_rises_above_99_after_us_crude_supply_drop/

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe by Alex Kennedy-Associated Press

Settling for the minimum

In June 2008, Arizona adopted its own vehicle-pollution standards, limits on emissions from cars and trucks that the state’s environmental regulators said held the long-term promise of cleaner air and lower fuel costs for motorists.

The step was unusual because states typically abide by federal rules regulating tailpipe exhaust, but Arizona and a dozen other states decided to impose the stricter limits in an effort to accelerate clean-air gains.
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/air-quality/?content=5-response#ixzz1lKhz3X7i

Article courtesy of azcentral.com-the Air Qe Breathe by Shaun McKinnon

Grim cod report accepted, regulators weigh action

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.—Regional regulators are meeting to try to minimize damage to New England's fishing industry after an assessment of Gulf of Maine cod indicates the valuable stock is severely overfished.

The new report could lead to a 90 percent cut in the allowed catch to protect the fish. That would wipe out major segments of the industry. But regional regulators at the New England Fishery Management Council are expected to buy time Wednesday by asking federal regulators for an emergency rule that would be in effect for a year, starting in May. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/02/01/grim_cod_report_accepted_regulators_weigh_action/

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe from Associated Press by Jay Lindsay   

 

U.S. seems to have largely escaped winter

A combination of factors has trapped winter's cold air over Canada and Alaska, making for unseasonably warm weather in the Lower 48.   http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-hot-weather-20120128,0,6875555.story

Story courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Eryn Brown

 

Battle intensifies over proposed Temecula rock quarry

A giant rock quarry proposed in the hills above Temecula had politicians from one of the most conservative corners of the Inland Empire railing Monday against corporate arrogance and environmental devastation, while union workers pushed the project as a job creator.  http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-quarry-hearing-20120131,0,7989672.story

Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Phil Willon