A look at today’s science and health policy news:
Reuters–White House hopeful Barack Obama talked energy policy on Sunday with T. Boone Pickens, a billionaire oil investor who funded the “Swift Boat” attacks on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in 2004.
Dallas Morning News– Democratic health care proposals may have gotten more attention during the primaries, but Republican John McCain’s plan just might be more revolutionary.
Houston Chronicle–In contrast to his earlier views on space exploration, Democrat Barack Obama also says he backs one more shuttle mission before it is retired.
N.Y. Times–Dropping her opposition to a vote on coastal oil exploration, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Saturday that the House would consider expanded offshore drilling as part of broad energy legislation when Congress returns next month.
Houston Chronicle–Russia’s military campaign in Georgia could have repercussions far beyond its borders, jeopardizing the U.S.-Russian partnership for manning the international space station over the next decade.
Washington Post–When Colorado voters were deciding whether to require that 10 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable fuels, the state’s largest utility fought the proposal, warning that any shift from coal and natural gas would be costly, uncertain and unwise.
Lexington Clipper-Herald–On Monday, Rep. Adrian Smith shared his thoughts on current energy policy and politics and presenting some possible solutions to the pain Americans are feeling at the gas pump.
Washington Post–Gov. Martin O’Malley announced a long-term commitment to buy wind power and other renewable energy, as he laid out an aggressive plan to overhaul the state’s electricity system.
N.Y. Times–The wind industry has arrived in force in upstate New York, but some residents say they have brought an epidemic of corruption and intimidation, as they rush to acquire enough land to make the wind farms a reality.
Politico–An open letter to the next President from Daniel Weiss, the director of climate strategy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
Washington Post–An editorial on the jerrymandering of Congressional districts and the need for redistricting reform.
N.Y. Times–An editorial on the Clean Water Restoration Act — a bill that would reaffirm the broad federal protections that it intended more than 30 years ago.
N.Y. Times–Flaws in voting machines used by millions of people will not be fixed in time for the presidential election because of a government backlog in testing the machines’ hardware and software, officials say.
USA Today–Electric utilities are warming to solar power in a shift that promises to turbocharge a technology that has been hindered by high prices and slow consumer adoption.
N.Y. Times (A.P.)–Despite safety concerns of parents, consumer groups and politicians, a chemical used in baby bottles, canned food and other items is not dangerous, federal regulators said Friday.
Scientific American–Privacy is a public Rorschach test: say the word aloud, and you can start any number of passionate discussions.
Nature–Researchers warn of ‘devastating effect’ of computer-science gagging order.
L.A. Times–The virus triggered a violent immune response that injured the lungs, making them a target for bacterial infection, two studies say. The findings may guide preparations for future outbreaks.
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The Natural Resources Defense Council has issued and action alert to tell the Department of Agriculture to do something about the rapidly vanishing bee population. From the NRDC:
SEA just told me that 4 more candidates for congress have answered the 7 questions posed by scientists. This would not have happened if it were not for you writing in and telling your candidate that these issues are important. Keep up the great work and if you have not written to them, it only takes a few minutes. Just go to the
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