National (U.S.)

Drilling companies see further profits and longer well life in reworking the wells that have been producing hydrocarbons from hydraulic fracturing in horizontal well bores.

"The Obama administration on Tuesday announced an initiative to help low- and middle-income Americans gain access to solar energy, part of a series of steps President Obama is taking to tackle climate change, according to administration officials."

"The Obama administration on Tuesday strongly criticized a Republican budget proposal that would undermine regulatory work at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior."

"A donor trying to push Republicans toward climate policies has given his first major donation of the 2016 election cycle to Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.)."

"The Canadian military has been called in to help fight wildfires in the Western province of Saskatchewan, where 112 active fires have forced the evacuation of more than 13,000 people and threatened several remote towns on Monday."

Predictably for this time of summer, an increased number of swimmers in ocean water has raised the incidence of shark attacks. Lost in the ratings-driven media frenzy is this estimate from Pew Trusts: "100 million sharks are killed in commercial fisheries every year. That means that during Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, about 1.9 million sharks—roughly 11,200 sharks an hour—will be killed."

"The tiny federal agency that has urged big reforms in how California regulates oil refineries is in disarray."

"ANKENY, Iowa — Roman Catholic leaders in the early voting state of Iowa implored candidates for president Thursday to take up Pope Francis’ call for 'profound political courage' by focusing their campaigns as much on improving the environment and income inequality as they have on opposing gay marriage and abortion in past elections."

"New report says food industry groups spend big and 'spin' the truth to turn U.S. consumers away from organic."

"As President Obama prepares to complete sweeping regulations aimed at tackling climate change, at least five Republican governors, including two presidential hopefuls, say they may refuse to carry out the rules in their states."