This is The Source for April 5, green jobs news every day from the BlueGreen Alliance. Don’t forget to “tell your friends” about this great resource. You can sign up here.
THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR APRIL 5
Employment Continues to Look Up. The Wall Street Journal reports today that the number of initial jobless claims decreased by 6,000 this week, the lowest level in nearly four years. This is, they reported, “further evidence that U.S. employers likely added a healthy number of workers to their payrolls in March.”
Congress Shouldn’t “Limp Forward” on Transportation Bill. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner yesterday pressed lawmakers to pass a long-term transportation funding bill during a speech to the Economic Club of Chicago, The Hill reports.
Looking Back for Trends of the Future. A new study, as reported by the Associated Press, shows that the dramatic temperature increases that thawed the last ice age followed spikes in carbon dioxide levels in the air. Researchers say this further “strengthens the scientific case explaining current man-made global warming.”
National and International Blue-Green
Manufacturing output declined in the United Kingdom for a second straight month in February. Bloomberg BusinessWeek has more.
Africa’s Mail & Guardian says “Clean energy [is] crucial for poor countries.”
Scientists are looking at how a warming climate will increase the spread of infectious diseases, The Daily Climate reports.
Environmental Health News says wearing facemasks successfully reduces risks from air pollution.
The Wall Street Journal reports owners of America’s 110,000 independent gas stations are being hurt by high gas prices.
The New York Times says combined heat and power systems will one day compete with solar panels.
To the States
Legislators tabled Maine’s right-to-work proposal. MPBN has more.
A decade after Oklahoma enacted right-to-work, NPR’s State Impact reports bitterness still remains.
E&E News looks at Chicago’s system for keeping its sewage out of Lake Michigan.
KABC-TV reports the Los Angeles City Council is considering banning the use of single-use plastic bags.
A report from the National Resources Defense Council found Virginia “is among the states least prepared for climate change.” The Washington Post has more.
Boone Pickens is reviving a plan for the development of a 377-megawatt wind farm in West Texas, theStar-Telegram reports.
Blue-Green Links
Bloomberg: Ship Smog Seen as Next Target to Clear Hong Kong Skies
Bloomberg: Alternate-Energy Group to Avoid Clean, Green in Campaigns
Bloomberg Businessweek: Transocean Biggest Winner From 28% Jump in Oil Rig Rates
Bloomberg Businessweek: Shell Sued in U.K. Over ’Massive’ 2008 Nigerian Oil Spills
E&E News: Study finds E15 damages engines, roiling debate over EPA approval
E&E News: DOE gave Treasury one day to consult on loan guarantee -- IG
Fox Business: Brazil Prosecutor Files Lawsuit Against Chevron Over 2nd Spill
Hill: On the stump, Dems split with Obama over Keystone XL pipeline
Hill: Mine union boss: Coal industry could suffer same fate as bin Laden
Huffington Post: Upper Big Branch Mine Portals To Be Sealed After Deadly Blast In West Virginia
Mother Jones: Stopping Climate Change is Much Cheaper Than You Think
NPR: Pollution Playing A Major Role In Sea Temperatures
New York Times: Seeking U.S. Loans for Plant, Fisker Scrambles to Restore Credibility
New York Times: Payoff for Efficient Cars Takes Years
Politico: A $2 billion solar mistake — from the media
TIME: Nearly Two Years On, Did the BP Oil Spill Have to Happen to BP?
Wall Street Journal: Solyndra Fallout Stalls Energy Loans
Wall Street Journal: Killing Coal
Wall Street Journal: Chrysler Got Legal Shield in Chapter 11
Wall Street Journal: Solar Flare-out
Washington Post: Derail this gravy train
FOX Illinois (IL): Illinois biofuels industry praises EPA approval of E15 gas
KPLU (WA): Climate change could cost Wash. $10 billion a year; state crafting response
Tennessean (TN): Bill threatens state's position of leadership on clean energy
Wisconsin Rapids Tribune (WI): Tom Stensberg column: Unions are here to protect workers' rights
WOUB (OH): Ohio Energy Picture Looking Good