oil,-gas-and-petrochemical-facilities-in-texas-emitted-1.6-million-pounds-of-regulated-pollutants-during-last-week’s-icy-weather

Under Texas’ “enforcement discretion” policy, companies were allowed to vent or burn off pollutants, as long as they are reported. Recent weatherization requirements for power plants did not apply to gas processing plants. By Dylan Baddour, Peter Aldhous As freezing temperatures swept over West Texas last week, leaky pipeline systemsContinue Reading

how-gene-loss-and-monogamy-built-termite-mega-societies

Termites did not evolve complex societies by adding new genetic features. Instead, scientists found that they became more social by shedding genes tied to competition and independence. A shift to monogamy removed the need for sperm competition, while food sharing shaped who became workers or future kings and queens. Together,Continue Reading

eu plans-to-weaken-pesticide-rules ‘unlawful’,-experts say

Plans by the European Commission to scrap routine checks on pesticide safety would break EU law, according to a new legal opinion published today (27 January).  The Commission announced plans in December to “simplify” regulations for pesticides, including ditching requirements for all pesticides to be reassessed every ten to fifteen years to account for newContinue Reading