TipSheet

Following a December 2008 USA Today investigation into toxic air enveloping US schools, EPA will begin monitoring air quality around 62 schools in 22 states.

Do green social networks actually increase coherence in the environmentalist community, or are they a distraction? Are they sincere or opportunistic? Can they be used for greenwashing? All of the above?

The Energy Department is listing state and local grant allocations from the stimulus bill on its website. Find out what your area of coverage is slated to receive in aid.

The conservation group American Rivers publishes an annual list of rivers endangered by dams, pollution, mining projects, and other threats they believe require urgent action.

Restrictions would be placed on many types of stationary diesel and gas-fired engines under a proposed EPA rule.

Watch for the National Academies to release more climate change and energy reports this month, on alternative liquid transportation fuels, energy efficiency, renewables and economic impacts of greenhouse gas mitigation.

On March 6 a coalition of major ethanol producers (Growth Energy) formally requested that EPA raise the cap on the amount of ethanol that can be blended into US gasoline. EPA has 270 days to respond.

Researchers with EPA's Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation has found that residential development in some metro areas has moved from suburbs and exurbs to infill development within urban areas.

Recently released studies show that the problem of ever-increasing GHG emissions in the US could be even worse than the current data indicate, as additional substances are added to the list. A proposed EPA rule may help, if finalized.

After years of effort, and despite a last-minute gambit by the outgoing President Bush, US policy for offshore energy development is going back to the drawing board. DOI is extending by six months the public comment period on the country's 5-year plan.