National (U.S.)

"A coalition of oil companies, car and engine manufacturers and fuel sellers told the Obama administration on Thursday not to increase the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline based on inadequate test data."

"A team of scientists says the environmental damage from mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia is so widespread, the mining technique should be stopped."

"The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed a stricter standard for smog-causing pollutants that would bring substantial health benefits to millions of Americans while imposing large costs on industry and local governments."

A regulatory application for a major mid-Atlantic electric transmission line may be withdrawn because of flagging demand projections -- a result not only of the economic slump, but also of energy conservation.

"Interior Secretary Ken Salazar [announced] new drilling policies to protect the environment on western federal lands."

"An environmental group today announced plans to flood Senate offices with calls urging action on climate legislation."

The current cold snap in some parts of the globe is making news -- but not generating many science stories about what is going on.