Environmental News Network

EPA Exceeds Mercury Cleanup Projection
The Environmental Protection Agency estimated in an internal report as much as $2 billion in yearly benefits from cutting mercury pollution just in the Southeast -- 40 times the value the agency projected publicly for the entire nation. >> Read the Full Article
Swedish Government Approves Congestion Tax for Stockholm on Trial Basis
The Swedish government decided Thursday to introduce a congestion tax in the capital, Stockholm, for a six-month trial period starting Jan. 3, 2006. >> Read the Full Article
Standing Room Only at New Australian Cemetery
It will be standing room only for those being buried at a new Australian cemetery that aims to provide cheap, environmentally friendly burials. >> Read the Full Article
U.S. Government Agrees to Consider Federal Protection for Two Rare Plants in U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. government agreed to rule on whether two plants species found only in the U.S. Virgin Islands should be placed under federal protection, settling a lawsuit Tuesday with an environmental group. >> Read the Full Article
Greenpeace Plans Arctic Trek to Highlight Warming
Two Minnesota men said Tuesday they will attempt the first summertime crossing of the Arctic Ocean, a trek sponsored by the environmental group Greenpeace to show how global warming is melting the northern ice cap. >> Read the Full Article
Taiwan Gets Tough on Trash as Space Runs Out
Sifting through garbage isn't something most people are very keen on but, in Taiwan, dodging the dirty duty could result in a fine of almost US$200. Every night, Chang watches her neighbors haul bags of trash past her laundry store to a street corner, where they wait for the wafting melody of Beethoven's Fuer Elise blared from loudspeakers to herald the arrival of the garbage truck. >> Read the Full Article
Forest Service Whistleblower Alleges Improper Pesticide Use in Southwest
Forest Service managers created a potential threat to the public through risky spraying of pesticides and weed-killers in the Southwest, a federal official charges in a whistleblower complaint obtained by The Associated Press. >> Read the Full Article
Australian Officials Announce Wild Camel Cull
Thousands of wild camels in Australia's Outback will be shot and killed from helicopters as part of an attempt to control the animals' burgeoning numbers, a state official and local media said Tuesday. >> Read the Full Article
State Takes up Difficult Task of Setting aside Agricultural Land for Recreation
State parks line the California coast like jewels on a movie star's necklace. But go inland to the vast Central Valley, and the jewels are replaced by farms, housing tracts and orchards. Except for a cluster of seven museums and historic sites in Sacramento, state parks are few and far between. >> Read the Full Article
Diesel Engine Companies Challenge Emission Rules from California Air Pollution Regulators
Diesel engine manufacturers went to court Friday to try to block stricter pollution standards set to take effect in a week, arguing state regulators reneged on a $1 billion legal settlement in 1998. >> Read the Full Article