Three-quarters of million for clean home heating (Scoop.co.nz) The Government is committing an extra $750,000 to two projects to improve clean and efficient home heating and reduce air pollution, Environment Minister David Benson-Pope announced today. [News Source]

Brevard vs. Goliath. County Commissioners in Florida voted unanimously to fund a study of two oil-fired plants' release of soot and acid smut. [News Source]

Santorum, Specter must improve environmental votes. Will today's leaders step up to the plate to confront 21st century challenges with smart energy solutions? [News Source]

Smoking ban vital to minorities. There are no restrictions on smoking in the food- and beverage-service industry in Philadelphia, despite the clear evidence that exposure to smoke causes disease even for nonsmokers who regularly breathe it. [News Source]

Millikens put environment on top of state’s agenda. In just over a decade, from 1969 to 1982, Gov. William Milliken shepherded a host of new laws and ballot efforts that resulted in the bottle deposit law, the Natural Resources Trust Fund, the state Wetlands Act and the state's Environmental Protection Act. [News Source]

Refinery to blame for grime and illness over the years. A discovery drilling rig first struck oil in Aneth in 1956, and since then the field has produced 420 million barrels of oil and 370 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and also has created one of Utah's most troublesome oil fields. [News Source]

Twin wells decision appealed. Several people independently appealed the state's decision to allow drilling of twin natural gas and oil wells in two northern Michigan counties. [News Source]

Rocky prospects. Neighbors of the proposed mine worry about noise, pollution and dust from gravel trucks barreling down what now are peaceful roads. [News Source]

South Carolina residents hope bill blocks chicken houses. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit local governments' ability to regulate large poultry operations. [News Source]

Small association takes on big issues. Residents of Garton West work to keep industrial areas from swallowing their homes and polluting their air. [News Source]

Rule change on toxic chemicals debated. If a new federal proposal had been in effect in 2003, 37,132 pounds of toxics released in Kern would not have been documented in detail. [News Source]