National (U.S.)

"A $10.5 million research project aimed at mapping the DNA sequence of sunflowers could one day yield a towering new variety for both food and fuel."

"Vermonters have been getting a lesson in radioactive tritium over the past two weeks because of the discovery of contamination at Vermont Yankee. Vermonters are not alone. Other Entergy reactors -- including plants in Massachusetts and New York -- also have similar leaks."

"The three Republicans vying for the chance to unseat Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) this fall were tripping over themselves yesterday in a rush to capitalize on momentum generated by a rare special-election upset in a liberal stronghold 3,000 miles away."

"Massey Energy President Don Blankenship and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday evening debated the future of coal and the science of climate change, agreeing on little but drawing still more national attention to the crucial issues that face the Appalachian coalfields."

"U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a leading Republican on energy policy, on Thursday moved to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming."

"Federal officials announced two major settlements on Thursday for reducing emissions from 28 glass and cement plants across the country."

"Damning new evidence has even the FDA worried about the impacts of BPA in consumer products, especially those for infants and children."

"Responding to growing concern over the spread of Burmese pythons in the Everglades, the federal Fish and Wildlife Service proposed Wednesday to ban both the import and interstate transport of the python and eight other snake species, all large constrictors."

"Wind could replace coal and natural gas for 20 to 30 percent of the electricity used in the eastern two-thirds of the United States by 2024, according to a study released Wednesday by the Energy Department."

"President Obama has appointed the most progressive EPA chief in history — and she's moving swiftly to clean up the mess left by Bush."