TVA manager: Utility a leader in cutting emissions (Lexington Herald-Leader) The Tennessee Valley Authority opened its defense of a lawsuit filed against the utility on Wednesday, and a manager said the TVA is a leader in reducing air pollution from power plants. The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that John Myers, senior manager of environmental policy and regulatory outlook, testified in the trial of North Carolina's lawsuit against the TVA in U.S. District Court. ... [News Source]

No simple slam-dunk for energy. For years Americans were lectured by conservationist types who preached that U.S. consumers should be paying much higher prices for energy, [News Source]

Vancouver smoking ban billows to great outdoors. With hookah parlours under control, anti-smoking regulations in Vancouver are being taken to the great outdoors, where future bans could curtail smoking on beaches, in ticket lineups and at outdoor festivals. [News Source]

Officials address long-term health risks of air pollution in Fairbanks. Air-quality and health officials said Tuesday that chronic air pollution presents long-term health risks for people in Fairbanks. [News Source]

Supes declare state of emergency. Residents choking under an almost constant blanket of smoke in eastern Humboldt County moved the Board of Supervisors to declare an emergency Tuesday. [News Source]

End in sight for this round of Calif. wildfires. Officials reported progress Tuesday with California's remaining 33 blazes — down from more than 2,000 in the past month — although fire danger remained high in some rural areas. [News Source]

Fresno council OKs draft for Southeast Growth Area. The City Council approved a draft development plan that's expected to add 120,000 people to an area southeast of Fresno by 2050. [News Source]

Blaze threatens homes near Jamestown. Firefighters on Tuesday evening launched an aggressive attack on a wildfire that burned 102 acres--keeping flames from reaching about 200 structures, most of them homes in Tuolumne County. [News Source]

Brisbane residents unhappy about proposed freight-forwarding facility. A plan to allow a freight-forwarding company to set up shop near facilities used by children and senior citizens has prompted some residents to worry about daily exposure of diesel exhaust from trucks. [News Source]

Honeywell to pay county record air-quality settlement. Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace will pay the largest air-quality settlement ever levied in Maricopa County, a $3 million-plus penalty for alleged violations at five of its Valley facilities. [News Source]

Robertson County residents lose bid to stop TXU coal-fired electricity plant . Robertson County residents living near a site proposed by TXU Power for a coal-fired electricity generation plant in Texas have lost their bid to stop the construction. [News Source]