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Popularity of federal energy efficiency program amongst farmers puts it at riskSolar panels have been cropping up on rural farms across America, as more farmers capitalize on a $300 million federal renewable energy program that assists with the cost of installation. But the program's growing popularity could be its downfall.听- Lake Berryessa wildfire smoke drifts to San FranciscoLake聽Berryessa: The forest fire in Napa County had burned 500 acres and was 75 percent contained as of Friday morning, a day after it began.
- Why feds want gray wolf off the endangered species listMore than 5,000 gray wolves roam Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Hearings are being held this week into a federal proposal to drop legal protections for the gray wolf.
Solar garden: Model T of renewable energy?Renewable energy law in Minnesota requires utilities to get 1.5 percent of their power from solar. By Monday, Xcel Energy has to show how it would manage rollout of neighborhood solar gardens. Rather than an expensive home retrofit for renewable energy, solar gardens allow residents to buy shares of solar power.
Burmese python trap: Will it work?Federal wildlife officials will test a new trap designed to capture Burmese pythons. The Burmese pythons have overrun the Florida Everglades because they have no natural predators.
Azusa fire burns in Southern California mountainsAzusa fire erupted shortly before 6 p.m. Monday and was mostly burning in the Angeles National Forest, away from populated areas. Smoke from the Azusa fire spread over the eastern foothill suburbs of Los Angeles.
Japan slow to contain Fukushima leak, says former US regulatorJapan acted too slowly to contain leaks of contaminated water at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, according to a former US nuclear regulatory chief. Gregory聽Jaczko said he was surprised how long it took Japan to start tackling the problem at Fukushima.
Natural gas prices fall for second day after two-month highNatural gas futures prices dip as fall crimps air-conditioning demand. Natural gas prices have risen in five of the past six weeks.
President Obama to press for tougher restrictions on coal power plantsThe president will push forward strict regulations on coal-powered energy that will require plants to limit emissions.
5.3 earthquake hits Fukushima, near nuclear plant5.3 earthquake in Fukushima did no damage to the prefecture's troubled nuclear plant, according to Tokyo Electric. The 5.3 earthquake hit early Friday morning in Japan.听
Alaska dividend: Oil revenue means $900 for each residentAlaska dividend is bigger than last year's payout, but less than half the record Alaska dividend in 2008.
Officials: No endangered species hurt in Hawaii molasses spillThough more than 26,000 fish, shellfish, and other marine life were killed in the 1,400-ton molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor, health officials say no endangered species were killed.
Colorado floods predicted by scientistsColorado, and especially Boulder, Colo., has a history of flash floods. In 2004, the University of Colorado's Natural Hazards Center listed a flash flood in Boulder as one of six "disasters waiting to happen" in the United States.
Massive molasses spill prompts shark-attack warningMassive molasses spill:聽A brown plume of sweet, sticky liquid was spotted seeping into聽Honolulu Harbor聽and Keehi Lagoon on Monday after a ship hauling聽molasses聽to the West Coast聽pulled out to sea.
Eagles, wind farms don't mix. New study shows toll on birds.The toll on eagles from wind farms is documented in a new study from government biologists.听The wind industry said it was working with the government and conservation groups to find ways to reduce eagle fatalities related to wind farms.
Can Mount Fuji survive tourists?With more than 300,000 hikers every year, Japanese officials worry about the preservation of Mount Fuji, which was recently designated as an UNESCO World Heritage site.
Why are corals turning ghostly white? Scientists unravel mystery.Coral bleaching, a process by which reef-building corals lose their algae and turn white, has long thought to be a result of faulty photosynthesis caused by high temperatures. But new research shows that bleaching can occur at night, too.听
Petrobras targeted in US spying programs, report saysPetrobras, Brazil's state-run oil company, was the target of US government spying programs, according to Globo, Brazil's biggest television network. Any spying on Petrobras is sure to raise hackles in Brazil, which has long been suspicious of foreign designs on its abundant natural resources.
Mt. Diablo fire in Bay Area spreads to 800 acresMt. Diablo fire quickly grows and triggers evacuation orders for 50 to 75 homes near San Francisco. Firefighters say the Mt. Diablo fire is only 10 percent contained. 聽
Arsenic in rice? Not a big worry, FDA says.Arsenic in rice occurs at such low levels that it poses no short-term health threat, Food and Drug Administration says, although it is still studying long-term effects. The arsenic in rice is thought to come from water on the ground, which is where rice is grown.听
