"At little noticed talks last week in Port Ghalib, Egypt, climate advocates were hoping to seal a global agreement for the phase down of super greenhouse gases and give next month's Copenhagen climate talks a can-do running start. But the annual meeting of the 198 nations of the Montreal Protocol began on a note of contention that five days of discussions could not overcome."

"While America turns away from dirty energy, Texas could soon have 12 new coal-fired power plants. What gives?"

"President Obama and other world leaders have decided to put off the difficult task of reaching a climate change agreement at a global climate conference scheduled for next month, agreeing instead to make it the mission of the Copenhagen conference to reach a less specific 'politically binding' agreement that would punt the most difficult issues into the future."

The nomination of Paul Anastas, known as the "father of green chemistry," to head EPA's Office of Research and Development, is being held up by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA). Vitter's action raises questions about his close ties to the formaldehyde industry.