EPA tests homes in West Oakland for harmful compounds. Federal environmental officials paid visits to a handful of West Oakland homes early Friday, testing for possible dangerous levels of hazardous compounds in the air. [News Source]

Ash Grove, DEQ sign agreement on mercury reduction. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Ash Grove Cement Company have signed an agreement formalizing the company's plans to install the equipment needed to reduce toxic mercury emissions at its Durkee plant. [News Source]

Longview may face sanctions over new air quality standards. The Longview, Texas area could be classified as a non-attainment area — one in violation of federal air quality standards — state officials said in an information session Friday. [News Source]

Grayslake shows off its fuel of the future. It's Grayslake, Illinois' fuel of the future: Bio-diesel. [News Source]

Radon worries don’t bother local granite seller. Radon is found everywhere, and some of it may come from granite. [News Source]

TVA witness rejects claims that emissions affect health. A TVA witness testified Friday that there’s no scientific evidence to support the contention that emissions from TVA power plants cause premature deaths and health problems in North Carolina. [News Source]

Expert says emissions not linked to ills. An expert witness testified yesterday that there's no scientific evidence that emissions from the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-fired power plants cause health problems. [News Source]

Getting electricity from a landfill is no new idea. Charleston might break new ground locally if entrepreneur Tom Loehr succeeds in building a methane-fueled power plant at the city's landfill, but it will simply be catching up with the rest of the world. [News Source]

Environmentalists challenge power plant permits. A coalition of environmental groups filed papers in two courts Friday challenging the state’s approval of a $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant in southwest Virginia. [News Source]

Healing the Sound: Report cites dangers and success stories. A warmer climate, sprawling development and gender-bending chemicals in everyday consumer goods threaten the generally improving health of Long Island Sound, according to a new report. [News Source]

Task force fired up about wood heat. At the July 23 meeting of the Governor's Wood-to-Energy Task Force, a representative from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection touted the benefits of clean wood-burning appliances. [News Source]