MMDA, WB ink RFID project (Malaya) The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and World Bank (WB) has inked an Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) to help reduce traffic congestion in EDSA, reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions and curb air pollution in one of the country’s busiest roads. [News Source]

Where there’s no smoke, Altria hopes there’s fire. Altria has submitted a series of letters to the FDA which argue that the government should, effectively, sign off on the notion that smokeless tobacco products are less harmful than cigarettes. It is a pivotal and divisive claim. [News Source]

Allergy awareness important for Indian youth: New chief of world body. Although earlier considered largely a disease of the western world, a rise in allergic diseases is now seen in emerging economies like India and China. [News Source]

Recharging your cellphone, Mother Nature’s way. New solar panels use a photosensitive dye to start their energy production, much the way leaves use chlorophyll to begin photosynthesis. [News Source]

Climate change to hit public health hard. Climate change will have an adverse effect on public health -- particularly that of children -- including malnutrition, waterborne diseases, cholera, skin and eye diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, environmental health experts warned at a forum on Saturday. [News Source]

Electric cars, the sequel: With 1,000 Leafs on their way to San Diego county, are EVS here to stay? The potential electric car future will get a reboot in December, when a thousand new cars are scheduled to arrive in the region, supported by the beginnings of a new recharging infrastructure. [News Source]

Facing objections, company eyes second coal power plant site. The Sussex County Board of Supervisors and the county Planning Commission will hold a joint hearing Thursday and could approve a conditional-use permit and zoning changes for the largest coal-fired power station in Virginia. [News Source]

EPA eyes lowering smog level. Berkeley and Jefferson counties could be impacted by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal to reduce the amount of ground-level ozone that is allowable across the nation. [News Source]

Mine dust not dangerous, residents told. Asarco officials told Rancho Resort residents Friday that an analysis of tailings from their community showed the dust is not much different from soil samples taken nearby and contain no dangerous levels of metals. [News Source]

Whatcom County Council to discuss continued purchase of green power. Should Whatcom County government continue to pay more money for power to go "green" during the ongoing budget crunch? [News Source]

Power plant project to take center stage. A state agency that manages energy issues will come to Carlsbad starting Monday for a series of public hearings on a controversial power plant that's proposed for the eastern edge of the Encina Power Station site. [News Source]