Paterson clears path for gas wells. Natural gas drillers may have to wait a bit before they get down to business in the Southern Tier. [News Source]

Pellets burn dirtier than oil. A study conducted for Maine's oil dealers concludes air quality could worsen if thousands of homeowners switch from oil heat to wood pellet stoves. [News Source]

Wood pellets dirtier than oil. A study conducted for Maine's oil dealers concludes air quality could worsen if thousands of homeowners switch from oil heat to wood pellet stoves. [News Source]

Visions of China. Can the Chinese government meet its ambitious targets on the environment, research, energy and health? [News Source]

Report asks Uganda govt to shelve DDT use. As a means to eradicate mosquitoes, the Government launched an indoor spraying of DDT in several malaria-prone districts in south-western and northern Uganda. [News Source]

UW researcher: Toxic scents hiding in air fresheners, detergents. Air fresheners and laundry products may do us more harm than good, according to the researchers at the University of Washington. [News Source]

EPA okay for biomass plant. The EPA has recommended environmental approval for Western Australia (WA) Biomass Pty Ltd to build and operate a 40 Megawatt biomass power plant, fuelled by up to 380,000 tonnes per annum of plantation waste. [News Source]

Paterson signs measure for gas drilling. Gov. David Paterson signed legislation Wednesday to permit horizontal drilling for oil and natural gas in New York while promising enforcement of environmental safeguards to protect water quality and residents' health. [News Source]

Offshore oil drilling not well thought out. Resuming offshore oil exploration could map out a treacherous environmental future for the southern coast, where a massive oil spill nearly 40 years ago still lingers closely in the minds of Californians. [News Source]

TVA defends pollution record. TVA has created about a third more electricity while releasing almost the same amount of air pollution as privately-owned coal burning plants in North Carolina, the giant utility's first witness testified in U.S. District Court here Wednesday. [News Source]

Greenhouse emissions targets onerous, warns agency head. Last year will be seen as a watershed for climate change in Ireland, reflected in a significant increase in activity by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to its annual report which was published yesterday. [News Source]