Ombudsman trashes NYTimes anti-fracking story

The New York Times ombudsman takes the same dim view (but more politely) as JunkScience of the the Times‘ recent attack on fracking. It’s too bad, however, that the dubious fracking stories were on the Times‘ front page, while the ombudsman’s critique is on Page 10 of the Sunday Review section.

CPSC votes for even sillier lead standards

The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted yesterday to require that toys be 99.99% lead-free, versus the current standard of 99.97% lead-free. Like the old standard, however, the new standard will have no impact on any child’s health.

As we pointed out previously, the only children harmed by lead in toys have been kids who have swallowed solid lead trinkets. There is no evidence that anyone has ever been harmed — not even a single IQ point lost — by exposure to trace lead levels in consumer products or ambient lead levels.

Another win: Utility pulls plug on carbon capture project

American Electric Power has pulled the plug on its carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at its Mountaineer facility in West Virginia reports the New York Times — and we helped. Continue reading Another win: Utility pulls plug on carbon capture project

Cellulosic ethanol not working out for BP — or anyone else

Remember that “Beyond Petroleum” TV ad with the pudgy farm boy who wondered if biofuels were the future of fuel (or some such nonsense)? Well, the answer is looking like, “no.” Continue reading Cellulosic ethanol not working out for BP — or anyone else

EPA riders sabotaged from within House GOP?

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) thinks someone within the GOP-controlled House Energy and Commerce Committee sabotaged efforts to rein in the EPA through the appropriations process. We have an idea for where to start looking. Continue reading EPA riders sabotaged from within House GOP?

What makes a scientific expert? Congressional Democrats offer a shocking answer

What makes a scientific expert? Knowledge? Expertise? Accomplishment? Respect of one’s colleagues? A new bill introduced in Congress has a shocking new answer. Continue reading What makes a scientific expert? Congressional Democrats offer a shocking answer