Environment

Expert: Environmental deal in Copenhagen unlikely: Monday, November 30, 2009; But Bill Antholis of Brookings says progress toward climate change treaty is possible; By Stephanie Tavares; A week from today, dignitaries from across the globe are to meet in Denmark to try to hash out an agreement on reducing carbon emissions and curbing deforestation.

What old pines seem to like may kill them: Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Higher temps have mountain trees thriving — for now; By Stephanie Tavares; Nevada’s famous Great Basin bristlecone pines are experiencing a growth boom as temperatures have risen in their high-altitude homes. But the cause of the trees’ heyday could also signal that death is finally coming for the bristlecones, the world’s oldest single living things.

Flagged by Interpol, brought down by the EPA: Sunday, November 15, 2009; Environmental agency gets tough, lists fugitives from its justice, FBI-style; By Abigail Goldman; Joseph O’Connor was an Irish man with a Nevada business wanted by Interpol for selling ships to drug traffickers out of Spain. So of all the things a guy like O’Connor probably figures he could go down for, polluting must have been a surprise. And yet, in late October, O’Connor found himself in federal court, pleading guilty to environmental crimes.

Groups provide free landscaping to families in need: Saturday, November 14, 2009; By Tiffany Gibson; A look of disbelief and shock came over Rose Maria Gordon, 78, as she stepped out of her house in Las Vegas Friday morning to see her yard being landscaped for the second annual Operation Green Program. “Oh my god, I can’t believe this,” she said while covering her mouth with her hands.

Report: Las Vegas last on list of most toxic cities: Wednesday, November 11, 2009; By Kyle Hansen; Las Vegas came in last on a new list comparing it to other U.S. cities, but this time it’s a good thing. Forbes ranked the Las Vegas metro area last on its list of the most toxic cities in the country.

The man dedicated to saving the lake from little invaders: Monday, November 9, 2009; Environment:; By Stephanie Tavares; David Wong came to Las Vegas to try to save it from an alien invasion.

Quagga mussels a toxic threat to Lake Mead: Monday, November 9, 2009; Because of what they eat and excrete, quagga mussels could poison lake; By Stephanie Tavares; Anyone who doubts that the quagga mussels in Lake Mead are a critical issue should consider this warning from the experts: If the quaggas are not stopped, they could poison the lake. There are two reasons for this: poop and algae.

Solis visit yields windfall for NV Energy: Friday, November 6, 2009; Energy column:; By Nicole Lucht; NV Energy recently played guide to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis as she toured the utility’s massive building that houses its dispatch and operations center.

Slump spurs demand for green building product: Friday, November 6, 2009; Going green:; By Nicole Lucht; The recession isn’t slowing down Ken Miller, an energy-conscious entrepreneur who has developed prefabricated walls he says cut down energy use by 30 percent.

3 Las Vegans join state Commission on Nuclear Projects: Thursday, November 5, 2009; By Mary Manning; When the Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects meets Tuesday at Las Vegas City Hall, three new commissioners will take their seats, and they are all from Las Vegas.

Companies vying to power Nevada's future: Sunday, November 1, 2009; To realize renewable energy’s potential, Nevada needs transmission lines. Two utilities want to build them, but at what cost to customers?; By Stephanie Tavares; NV Energy’s plan to build a transmission line to move electricity between the northern and southern parts of the state could unnecessarily stick ratepayers with a half-billion-dollar bill, the state’s consumer advocate warns.

945,000 acres protected from mining for 20 years: Friday, October 30, 2009; Federal agency withdraws critical environment in Southern Nevada; By Mary Manning; The Bureau of Land Management signed an order today that withdraws almost 945,000 acres of sensitive public lands from new mining activity in Southern Nevada for 20 years. The bureau said it had taken the action to protect 24 areas of critical environmental concern in Clark and Nye counties.

Some films to interest the Whole Foods set: Thursday, October 22, 2009; Festival of shorts includes at least two on organic farms; By Kristen Peterson; Hosted by the Nevada Wilderness Project and Nevada Conservation League, the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival — an offshoot of the larger festival held each year in Nevada City, Calif. — looks at individual efforts to reclaim land, save energy or preserve wildlife.

Melting Arctic a U.S. concern: Friday, October 16, 2009; ENVIRONMENT: Brookings Institution expert says nation needs to act aggressively to combat climate change; By Stephanie Tavares; In glum terms, an expert on Arctic politics told an audience at UNLV this week that if nothing is done to combat climate change, the United States could be thrown into an epic battle for Arctic supremacy.

When bypass opens, bighorn sheep could be a big problem: Monday, October 5, 2009; By Jean Reid Norman; Life is good for the desert bighorn sheep in the River Mountains surrounding Boulder City. Maybe too good — which has prompted concern from Boulder City officials as traffic in the area they roam is set to increase in January with the opening of the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge. Most mornings between May and September, at about 9 a.m., dozens of the 200 or so sheep that live in the rocky hills come to Hemenway Park for a grassy green breakfast.