Check Today’s Wood-Burning Status (Modesto Bee) Want the latest information on the wood-burning status from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District? Just click here. [News Source]

Calcutta 2009 (The Telegraph) We put this above all else, because this year will be our big battle in the war against air pollution. Calcutta High Court has banned all two-stroke autos from January 1. But the deadline has run into roadblocks galore, with politicians going into reverse gear and unions revving in revolt. [News Source]

Coalition of environmental groups challenge air permit for coal-fired SC power plant (Canadian Business) A coalition of environmental groups is challenging a state-issued air pollution permit for a coal-fired power plant in Florence County, the [News Source]

Environmentalists challenge permit for power plant (Spartanburg Herald-Journal) Published: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. COLUMBIA — A coalition of environmental groups is challenging an air pollution permit issued for a coal-fired power plant in Florence County. [News Source]

Environmentalists challenge SC power plant permit (AP via Yahoo! Finance) A coalition of environmental groups is challenging a state-issued air pollution permit for a coal-fired power plant in Florence County, the organization said Wednesday. [News Source]

Voicing the silence. A doctrine of exemption allows the industry to develop oil and gas resources without having to study the environmental or health impacts of their work. Britt Drive neighbors worry about how drilling would affect their environment. [News Source]

Plan for coke plant near Ohio school puts focus on laws’ limits. The students at Amanda Elementary School here already breathe what appears to be some of the most polluted air in the nation. [News Source]

Asthma’s links to air pollution stir worry. The bits of dust and dirt so common in Phoenix's air may be causing more problems for asthmatic children than experts previously believed. [News Source]

Stricter smoking ban set for federal offices. Government workers at federal buildings who want a cigarette break will have to take a stroll before they light up, according to a new federal policy. [News Source]

Polluting cars to be phased out. A slew of subsidies have been introduced to promote the use of low-emission vehicles in Beijing and phase out heavy polluting ones, a senior municipal official said yesterday. [News Source]

An environmental look back at 2008. From buzz phrases like "green collar jobs" to real action like the Great Lakes Compact, plenty happened in the world of environmentalism this year. [News Source]