Dead cattle backlog spurs urgent action. Officials in Fresno and Kings counties said Tuesday they have invoked emergency powers to help clear a backlog of dead cows rotting outside processing plants in Kerman and Hanford. [News Source]

Sierra Club gives state leaders mixed grades. A top environmental group has given failing grades to Republicans in the state Legislature for their votes on air quality, regulatory, development and mining issues. [News Source]

EPA takes samples in neighborhood. The EPA began collecting air samples and drilling wells on Tuesday as part of a weeklong investigation into underground contamination of a Billings neighborhood. [News Source]

Stryker Bay cleanup to commence at last. The long-awaited cleanup and capping of more than a century's worth of toxic contaminants in the St. Louis River's Stryker Bay is under way in Duluth. [News Source]

Bay cleanup begins. The long-awaited cleanup and capping of more than a century's worth of toxic contaminants in the St. Louis River's Stryker Bay is under way in Minnesota. [News Source]

Fibrowatt plant fuels debate. A power plant that would transform barnyard waste into electricity is the focus of intense debate. [News Source]

The knock on wood. Some people say health concerns of wood-burning boilers or furnaces have not been fully addressed, primarily when owners attempt to use the furnaces in the summer months. [News Source]

Pollution reaps penalty. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has fined a local company $20,000 for violating a number of state regulations and dirtying state water systems. [News Source]

Transit may give more free rides. Thanks to the high price of fuel and the state government's decision not to raid money set aside for transit, Metropolitan Transportation Commissioners are expected to give preliminary approval today to three more days of free transit. [News Source]

San Francisco aims to reduce cruise ship emissions. San Francisco officials said on Tuesday they plan to set up a dockside power system that will supply electricity to cruise ships and reduce harmful diesel fuel emissions from ship generators while they are in port. [News Source]

Stop cars from idling. First school buses and now cars, the Department of Environmental Quality is asking drivers to turn off their cars when running a quick errand or waiting to pick up kids. [News Source]