A Challenge To Obama's Climate Change Pledge

President Obama pledged in his inaugural address Monday to respond to what he called the threat of climate change, saying the "failure to do so would betray our children and future generations." By highlighting climate change in this speech, the President took on an issue that he has acknowledged was sometimes overlooked during his first term, and set up a potential confrontation with congressional Republicans who have opposed legislative efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

BLM pulls proposed fracking rules, works on new version

The US Bureau of Land Management withdrew its proposed hydraulic fracturing regulations and announced that a new draft will be prepared during the first quarter of 2013.

Six Top Environment Stories to Watch in 2013

Experts at World Resources Institute highlight six key environmental and development stories they recommend watching in 2013.

LA County Supervisors Propose Pavement Parcel Tax

Facing federal regulatory action for violating Clean Water Act standards, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors will consider a parcel tax weighted towards a property's amount of impervious pavement to fund programs to reduce stormwater pollution.

Environmental group argues against restarting San Onofre plant

The environmental group Friends of the Earth argued to federal regulators last week that Southern California Edison should be barred from restarting the San Onofre nuclear power plant unless it goes through a trial-like hearing process.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect Rare Sierra Nevada Red Fox in California and Oregon

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice of intent today to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency's alleged failure to protect the Sierra Nevada red fox under the Endangered Species Act. The Center petitioned for protection of the fox in April 2011 based on census data identifying fewer than 50 individuals within this species of mountain-loving animals.

Wind energy company could be required to track, protect condors

Kern County may require a major developer in its growing wind energy sector to track radio tracking signals of California condors and shut down wind turbines if they threaten the endangered birds. As the species rebounds from near-extinction, county environmental reports state, condors are expanding their foraging territory outside of their nesting areas in the Tehachapi Mountains, and they may fly over fields of 500-foot-tall wind power towers, coming dangerously close to blades spinning at high speeds.