Gravel pit dust angers residents.

The head of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department found himself on the hot seat this week as he fielded questions from residents who live near sand and gravel mines.

[News Source]

BYU dorm demolition plans left in the dust. Hoping to avoid a thick mushroom-shaped plume of dust and particulate matter over Provo, the Utah Air Quality Board on Wednesday denied BYU's request for implosion of two seven-level dorm buildings over Christmas break. [News Source]

Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce stands up to TXU. The Waco Chamber of Commerce joined the fray over TXU’s coal-fired power plants Thursday, winning a place at the table to challenge the Tradinghouse Lake and Lake Creek permits in a hearing. [News Source]

AEP, citizens group settle over emissions claim. An American Electric Power Company Inc. subsidiary has reached a settlement after it was accused of environmental violations near one of its power plants. [News Source]

AEP settlement will limit Gavin sulfuric acid emissions. Sulfuric acid emissions from American Electric Power’s James M. Gavin power plant will be limited under a lawsuit settlement made public Thursday. [News Source]

Dominion pulls back on plan for scrubbers. Last year, Dominion Virginia Power announced that it would spend millions to install anti-pollution scrubbers at its coal-fired power plant in Chesapeake. Now, the state's largest electric utility has changed plans. [News Source]

Air pollution panel requires Va. cuts in two pollutants in 2009. Starting in 2009, smog-causing emissions from Virginia power plants will be sharply cut. [News Source]

City to use Heinz Field grease to fuel its vehicles. When Steelers fans order chicken wings, hamburgers or French fries at Heinz Field, they'll soon be helping to fuel Pittsburgh's fleet of trucks and clean its air. [News Source]

EPA’s permit angers officials. New Jersey has announced plans to sue the EPA over a coal-fired power plant in Upper Mount Bethel Township, a move praised by New Jersey environmentalists who say the plant is a leading polluter in Warren County. [News Source]

National Grid to offer gas users energy-efficiency rebate. National Grid has filed a plan with state regulators that will create a program to encourage customers to use natural gas more efficiently by providing rebates for energy-saving appliances and other incentives. [News Source]

U.S. tweaks pollution rule review. The U.S. government has streamlined the way it reviews and sets air pollution standards, officials said on Thursday, but environmental and health advocates warned the change may increase the influence of political appointees at the expense of scientists. [News Source]