Attention to Locomotives’ Emissions Renewed (Washington Post) For years, government scientists who measure air pollution assumed that diesel locomotive engines were relatively clean and emitted far less health-threatening emissions than diesel trucks or other vehicles. [News Source]

The debate is still hot over global warming. I truly thought we had gotten to the point where most science showed a warming problem and most scientists agreed with those findings. [News Source]

Lower costs sparking interest in fuel cells. Because fuel cells have no moving parts and require little maintenance, exhibit high levels of efficiency in producing electrical energy and can substantially reduce current levels of air pollution, much progress in using these cells for transportation has been achieved in recent years. [News Source]

Downwinders fear: tire and slag burning at Holcim’s cement kiln all but permitted. Experts in toxicology, geochemistry and law are finding numerous flaws in an analysis by Montana's DEQ assessing a plan to burn 1.13 million scrap tires and more than 16,000 tons of toxic slag waste annually in a cement kiln at the headwaters of the Missouri River. [News Source]

Seven days to green your life. We all know global warming is a fact. And we'd all like to do something to make a difference. But where to begin? The answer, of course, is in our own homes and daily routines. [News Source]

Credit where due. The Bush administration is pursuing two initiatives that will improve the environment: an EPA program to remove light switches containing mercury from junk cars and a $1 billion investment by the Department of Energy to extract mercury and other toxic substances from coal before it is burned. [News Source]

Clean Air Act protects Mesa Verde. National parks such as Mesa Verde in New Mexico fall under Class 1 protections from the Clean Air Act, the most stringent available, but air quality monitors at the century-old park indicate pollution is increasing — which means the long, sweeping views are disappearing. [News Source]

County meets EPA ozone goal. You can breathe a sigh of relief: Cumberland County has dropped below the federal smog limit after taking steps three years ago to reduce ozone pollution. [News Source]

State air experts to discuss problems in Columbia (Times and Democrat) COLUMBIA, S.C. - State air experts will be in Columbia this week to discuss air quality in South Carolina. Twice this month, smog in the Columbia area exceeded federal air pollution standards, continuing a recent trend that threatens public health and economic growth in the Midlands. [News Source]

NS says little as valleys clamor for answers.

It’s been more than three months since state and Norfolk Southern officials announced they would build an intermodal freight yard somewhere near Roanoke, yet there are still many questions about its effect on roads, the water supply and nearby residents.

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Horsehead Corporation fined for air pollution at zinc facility (WREG-TV Memphis) PITTSBURGH The country's largest zinc producer has been fined 110-thousand dollars by Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection for violating air pollution regulations. [News Source]