2012 November Environment & Climate News

The Natural Resources Defense Council has targeted key electoral swing states in its “Toxic Twenty” list of states it says are most in need of expensive emissions regulations. NRDC chose the states primarily on the basis of their use of coal-powered electricity, even though the group admitted toxins emitted from power plants across the nation fell between 2009 and 2010.

Also in this issue:

• Environmental permits will be issued in a more timely manner in Pennsylvania after Gov. Tom Corbett signed an executive order speeding up the process.

• Colorado officials accuse federal land management officials of overstepping their authority by imposing unjustified land-use restrictions in the name of protecting sage grouse populations.

• Kansas residents and businesses are paying higher electricity prices as a result of the state’s renewable power mandate, the Beacon Hill Institute and Kansas Public Policy Institute report in a newly released study.

• U.S. carbon dioxide emissions during the first quarter of 2012 were the lowest since 1992, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports.

• Wildlife officials in several states are seeking a greater role in the management of wolf populations. State officials say federal oversight is unnecessary and redundant.