Premature fuss unfairly drives clean-air debate. There was a big brouhaha in Washington recently over an Environmental Protection Agency proposal under development that would encourage additional emission reductions in hazardous air pollutants from big manufacturing facilities. [News Source]

New anti-smoking law could result in more cigarette litter. With the no-smoking law expected to drive more cancer-candidates outdoors, I'm afraid the problem of cigarette litter will get worse. [News Source]

Burning is green. New York City's refusal to burn its garbage is not just a waste of money - it's an environmental hazard. [News Source]

Why we need to worry about global warming. With climate-related changes occuring faster than expected scientists say we have 10 years to slash carbon fuel use. [News Source]

EPA’s idea flunks first smell test. The EPA usually isn't a hotbed of rebellion, but a recent proposal that would significantly relax air pollution rules for major industries has sparked a mutiny among some of the buttoned-down bureaucrats who work at its regional offices around the country. [News Source]

As the world warms. The challenge for those who appreciate the more dire possibilities of global warming is to put an understandable cover on a book of scientific data, and to persuade individuals to act responsibly in protecting our little piece of the universe. [News Source]

A really ‘bad air day’. If Gov. Bob Taft feels any responsibility for the health and well-being of the people of Ohio, he will take a deep breath and veto the monumentally awful air pollution bill slapped on his desk in haste by the General Assembly. [News Source]

Time for clean-air bill to cut through the haze. If Arizona legislators can see through the brown haze in the Phoenix area, they'll allow the new Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations to go into effect. Then we can all breathe easier. [News Source]

The state of clean air. California is poised to lead the way again, with legislation to fight global warming by setting mandatory standards on greenhouse emissions. The federal government would do well to follow California's example. [News Source]

EPA’s embarrassment strategy. Under the Bush administration, the EPA has steadily shifted its focus from protecting the environment to protecting industry -- and claimed, all the while, that it's doing exactly the opposite. [News Source]

Study: Wetland banking hurts urban areas. In some parts of the country, developers who damage or destroy wetlands are making up for it by buying credits for wetlands that have been created somewhere else. [News Source]