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May 22--DURHAM -- Budget writers in the N.C. Senate are tinkering with Gov. Pat McCrory's proposed shakeup of state transportation spending to make it even harder for local governments to obtain state aid for transit projects. The draft Senate budget includes language that says transit projects of any sort -- including "intercity rail, commuter rail [and] light rail" -- can qualify only for the lowest-level allocations the governor has proposed. That's the 30 percent of the money, statewide, that's destined for allocation on an equal-share basis to each of the N.C. Department of Transportation's 14 operating divisions. Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), May 22, 03:47 AM
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WASHINGTON - Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Tuesday he will put on hold about 20 applications to export liquefied natural gas until he reviews studies by the Energy Department and others on what impact the exports would have on domestic natural gas supplies and prices. Among the things Moniz said he wants to review is whether the data in the studies are outdated. A study commissioned by the Energy Department concluded last year that exporting natural gas would benefit the U.S. economy even if it led to higher domestic prices for the fuel. Associated Press/AP Online, May 21, 03:09 PM
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May 21--SANTA CRUZ -- The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission are working together to host two workshops in Santa Cruz County to create an integrated land use/transportation plan. According to the association's population projections, the tri-county region of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties will grow by more than 150,000 people, 40,000 housing units and nearly 65,000 jobs by the year 2035. One component of the land use/transportation plan, call the Sustainable Communities Strategy, aims to reduce transportation-generated greenhouse gases during theses growth years and promote new ideas on where people live and the ways they travel. Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA), May 21, 03:48 PM
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May 21--In a large country with myriad natural threats, some responders are more experienced than others in handling certain types of disasters. Certain phenomena, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, typically don't happen in some areas of the country. In 2011, tornado activity was observed in places that rarely see it, from Northern California to the East Coast and in between, leaving some residents in disbelief that the weather phenomena actually occurred there. Emergency Management, May 21, 02:18 PM
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May 22--WENDELL -- Mayor Tim Hinnant recently described himself as a road block to expanded transit across the Triangle. The drafted plan he opposes would raise sales taxes by a half-cent to pay for expanded bus service to every Wake town and install a commuter rail between Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Nor does Morrisville Mayor Jackie Holcombe, who served as president of the association during the transit discussion. Eastern Wake News (Zebulon, NC), May 22, 10:18 AM
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May 22--A key Rohnert Park nonprofit, Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development, will shut down its homeless prevention program, which the city had funded with redevelopment housing funds that have been eliminated. SCAYD will continue to offer counseling and youth job education and employment services, but as of June 30 it will stop providing emergency grants for rent, security deposits and household bills. "The city did what they could considering the deficit they face but there are many people who will be directly affected by this loss," said Jim Gattis, SCAYD's executive director. Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA), May 22, 09:22 AM
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May 22--A classic fight between environmentalists and developers came down on the side of developers Tuesday with Fresno County supervisors agreeing to explore the potential for new restaurants, hotels and golf courses just north of the city of Fresno. The decision to look at opportunities for growth along the rural San Joaquin River -- between Fresno and Friant -- came with a caveat: County money will not be used to pay for the study, as was initially proposed. Still, the dozen or so county residents who condemned the study at this week's Board of Supervisors meeting fell short of their goal of stopping the exploration of development in the area altogether. Fresno Bee, The (CA), May 22, 09:03 AM
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Located between Rosalia and Oakesdale, the $17 million The facility can also unload about 40,000 pounds of grain per hour. McCoy and Marshall in Spokane County, where the track meets up with the main Burlington Northern Santa Fe line. Lewiston Morning Tribune (ID), May 22, 08:20 AM
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May 22--Summerset at Frick Park, a luxury residential development that's successfully transformed a former slag heap into a neighborhood of high-priced homes, will need help from local taxpayers to finish its work. With a two-thirds of the project completed, developers say state money has dried up for the final push, which will add 217 housing units to the development overlooking Parkway East by the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. They're now seeking tax-increment financing, or TIF, to divert $24 million in property taxes from the neighborhood to pay for infrastructure improvements, including roads and a new bridge. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA), May 22, 08:09 AM
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Providence: Office of the Legislative, The State of Rhode Island has issued the following press release: Rep. Jeremiah T. O'Grady has introduced legislation aimed at transitioning Rhode Island toward a more predictable and reliable source of funding for transportation costs, road and bridge maintenance, and public transit. The legislation (2013-H 5073) aims to stabilize the funding stream of both the Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority by moving away from the current reliance on gasoline taxes, a revenue source that is steadily declining relative to inflation and in absolute terms as increased fuel efficiency leads to fewer gallons purchased at the pump. US Official News, May 22, 03:03 AM
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May 22--Planners are revamping the Cape Fear region's transportation priorities, and they want the public's help. The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which encompasses all of New Hanover County and parts of Brunswick and Pender counties, is asking for public input as part of its Cape Fear Transportation 2040 Plan. The plan will prioritize transportation projects across various modes, including road, rail, air, bike and pedestrian, among others. Star-News (Wilmington, NC), May 22, 03:02 AM
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NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Regular train service returned to Connecticut on Wednesday, five days after a derailment injured scores of commuters and damaged tracks. Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways. Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates Metro-North, said there were no major problems or delays reported. Associated Press/AP Online, May 22, 11:23 AM
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May 22--AMESBURY -- The Lower Millyard clean-up efforts hit a significant roadblock yesterday after the Environmental Protection Agency announced that Amesbury won't be awarded its annual grant this year. Without the funds, Kezer said the city will need to identify alternative sources in order to keep the project on schedule. "You go for your best option first, and in this case a straight up EPA grant covering the whole cost with one pot of money would've been best," Kezer said. Daily News of Newburyport (MA), May 22, 10:31 AM
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May 22--YORK, Pa -- Update: May 21 The Steam into History train, a replica of a Civil War-era train, arrived in New Freedom today. The train will travel between New Freedom and Hanover Junction. York Daily Record (PA), May 22, 10:25 AM
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May 21--Think Manhattan is a hot place to live? As many as 1,000 extra weather-generated deaths a year may occur in the borough by the 2080s under the worst case global warming scenario, according to a new joint study by the Columbia University Earth Institute and the Mailman School of Public Health. "The critical message is that no matter how you feel about global warming, we have a well established vulnerability to heat waves," which have already been proven to be highly lethal, especially to the elderly, the very young, and those with pre-existing health conditions, said Radley M. Horton, associate research scientist at The Earth Institute and a co-author of the paper. AM New York, May 21, 10:46 PM
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May 22--The head of the South Florida Water Management District resigned Monday, leaving after just two years and creating another leadership shakeup for the far-reaching agency charged with guarding against flooding and leading Everglades restoration. Melissa Meeker, in a letter to the district board's chairman, said she was stepping aside as executive director after accepting a "new opportunity" that will allow her to focus on "international issues." She also helped craft a new $880 million Everglades restoration plan aimed at resolving a lingering legal fight over Florida's failure to meet water quality standards. South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 21, 10:42 PM
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May 22--STOCKTON -- There are roughly $2 billion in passenger rail construction and improvement projects coming in the next year, including at least $300 million of spending earmarked for small businesses, for the Bay Area and Central Valley. And those are opportunities area companies shouldn't pass up, said Michael Ammann, chief executive of the San Joaquin Partnership. The partnership hosted a forum Tuesday morning in Stockton to detail the region's railroad resources and expansion plans -- including those of California's high-speed rail, Altamont Commuter Express and private freight hauling. Record (Stockton, CA), May 22, 09:34 AM
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WASHINGTON - Republicans controlling the House pressed ahead Tuesday with slashing cuts to domestic programs far deeper than the cuts departments like Education, Interior and State are facing under an already painful round of automatic austerity. At issue are deep agency budget cuts required under automatic across-the-board reductions that are the result of Washington being unable to agree of alternative ways to curb the deficit. This year, the cuts are being applied to domestic agencies and the Pentagon both; Tuesday's plan is for the 2014 budget year beginning Oct. 1 and restores cuts to the military while making cuts to domestic programs favored by Democrats even deeper. Associated Press/AP Online, May 21, 09:45 PM
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May 21--A broad group of consumer and environmental advocates, business officials and nonprofit leaders urged Georgia Power to add more renewable energy to its electricity mix over the next two decades. Georgia Power has no plans to increase its use of solar power beyond a program announced last year. Clean energy advocates said at a hearing Tuesday that consumers could be saving money and breathing cleaner air if the utility beefed up its renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs. Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA), May 21, 08:55 PM
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May 21--WASHINGTON -- Global warming and clean energy should be priorities for Congress and the president, a majority of Americans said in a recent survey. Six in 10 Americans want the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions regardless of other countries' emissions efforts, according to the survey. The study also shows only half of Americans have heard of the Keystone XL pipeline. Los Angeles Times, May 21, 08:51 PM
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May 22--RUMFORD -- In February, the Maine Department of Transportation presented its $1.812 billion Work Plan for 2013, 2014 and 2015 to the Legislature. The bulk of the projects and costs are in Oxford County. Thirty-five projects from paving to bridge replacement total more than $25.3 million, according to the plan. "Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME)", May 22, 05:48 AM
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May 21--Is it urban art or just a new gadget for collecting solar power? Glenview officials recently got a look at a miniature version the "solar tree" that the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Services Academy wants to erect in front of its building at 2300 Patriot Boulevard. Michael Enz, co-owner of Tactical Design, said the solar tree will cost about $73,000. Chicago Tribune, May 21, 06:13 PM
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May 21--NEW HAVEN -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, state Department of Housing Commissioner Evonne Klein, Mayor John DeStefano Jr., and other state and local officials Tuesday announced $13.8 million in grants to fund 11 affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization programs in Connecticut, according to a release. These investments will bolster economic development and make Connecticut more a more competitive state." New Haven will receive $1.5 million to expand its Neighborhood Renewal Program to include transitional neighborhoods--blocks situated between stable neighborhoods and those with greater need, the release said. New Haven Register (CT), May 21, 06:09 PM
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May 21--North Carolina has sued Duke Energy for polluting Mountain Island Lake, Charlotte's major water source, with contaminants from its coal ash lagoons. The N.C. Division of Water Quality added its claims about Mountain Island to an existing lawsuit filed in March. That litigation asked for a court injunction against a Duke subsidiary over coal-ash pollution at an Asheville power plant. Charlotte Observer (NC), May 21, 05:35 PM
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May 22--TWIN FALLS -- With summer temperatures quickly approaching, it's time to hit the road and soak up the sunshine. Between individual city's road construction to-do lists and the Idaho Transportation Department's own set of projects, there are more than a dozen bridge resurfacings and reconstructions along with three large junction reconstructions. Just north of the Perrine Bridge, ITD is in the middle of its second stage of the I-84/U.S. Times-News (Twin Falls, ID), May 22, 04:49 AM
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May 22--Speaking from her wheelchair Thursday, Dianne Vander Weyden told Frederick County commissioners she doesn't consider herself disabled. She just needs a lift from point A to point B. Vander Weyden last week joined several others in asking commissioners to broaden county transportation services currently confined to weekdays and business hours. Frederick News-Post (MD), May 22, 03:50 AM
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May 21--In all likelihood, Grays Harbor Transit will be eliminating weekend bus services, citing budget issues. The change will leave little option, aside from some private taxi services, for public transportation on the Harbor on weekends. "Our grants that we applied for did not come in like we thought they would," General Manager Mark Carlin told The Daily World. Daily World, The (Aberdeen, WA), May 21, 03:02 PM
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May 21--The Park District of Highland Park has been awarded $25,997 from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation to cover 30 percent of an environmentally friendly geothermal heating and cooling system at the Rosewood Beach interpretive center. Rick Stumpf, the park district's Director of Planning and Projects, said construction on the project is expected to begin in late summer, with an schedule completion of early summer 2014. The geothermal system consists of a series of wells drilled about 20 feet into the ground, where the earth's temperature remains somewhere between 50-60 degrees throughout the year, Stumpf said. Chicago Tribune, May 21, 02:12 PM
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May 21--A St. Petersburg lawmaker wants the Florida Public Service Commission to study the cost of the proposed Levy County nuclear plant compared to a natural gas facility. Petersburg, said in a news release and letter to the commission this week that a Tampa Bay Times analysis that showed Levy would cost more than a natural gas facility over 60 years warrants a comprehensive review by the state. The Times analysis also showed that Duke Energy would make $4 billion from the Levy nuclear project compared to $369 million for an equivalent natural gas facility, according to the Times analysis. Tampa Bay Times (FL), May 21, 01:50 PM
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May 21--A pro-business group working to diversify Southern Nevada's economy is advocating legislation that would lead to a gasoline tax increase. The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance -- formerly the Nevada Development Authority -- announced today that it is backing Assembly Bill 413, legislation that would enable the Clark County Commission to raise gasoline taxes based on increases in several economic indices. While the alliance's board is advocating passage of the indexing bill, it took no position on separate legislation, Senate Bill 377, to increase the tax by 2 cents a gallon on a variety of fuels, such as diesel, at the beginning of each calendar year from 2014 through 2023. Las Vegas Sun (NV), May 21, 11:10 PM
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May 21--CHARLESTON -- Toll booths might some day mushroom along roads across West Virginia, giving motorists in other regions a taste of what driving has cost southern residents nearly six full decades. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is expected to get his first look July 1 at ideas put forth by a special panel he created in August to examine long-term highway needs. Once the Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways issues its preliminary findings, members plan to conduct a number of regional meetings to see what residents across the state think about its proposals. Register-Herald (Beckley, WV), May 21, 11:32 AM
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PORTLAND, Ore. - Oral health and politics collided Tuesday as Portlanders - proudly nonconformist and environmentally minded - decided whether their city remains the largest in the U.S. without public fluoridation. But by Tuesday it was too late to rely on the postman, so drop boxes have been placed across the city to accommodate those who waited until the final day to make a decision, as well as people who didn't want to pay for postage. If voters say no, Portland will remain the largest U.S. city without fluoride in the water or plans to add it to combat tooth decay. Associated Press/AP Online, May 21, 10:26 PM
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EU's planned solar duties against China "grave mistake": German vice chancellor BERLIN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Philipp Roesler said at the weekend that European Commission's agreement to back a proposal to levy punitive duties on Chinese solar panels is a "grave mistake." Roesler told Welt am Sonntag newspaper in an interview on Sunday that punitive duties are the wrong instrument to deal with the dispute, adding that he expects the European Commission to prevent an all-out trade conflict and solve the dispute through a negotiation and dialogue. China Economic Information Service (Xinhua), May 21, 10:53 AM
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Connecticut commuters who endured slow trips to work Monday because of last week's train collision may only suffer one more day of chaos. Service west of New Haven was suspended after Friday's derailment that left 76 people injured. The collision occurred about 6 p.m. after a train heading east from Grand Central Terminal derailed near Bridgeport and collided with a train heading west from New Haven. New Haven Register (CT), May 21, 08:30 PM
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Three days after a train crash near the Fairfield-Bridgeport line left more than 70 people injured and threw public transportation into near chaos, there's still a lot we don't know. Investigators are focusing their probe on a small section of rail where one train derailed and collided with another during rush hour Friday. Three of the injured passengers remained hospitalized Monday at Bridgeport Hospital, one of them in critical condition. New Haven Register (CT), May 21, 08:30 PM
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May 21--Miami-Dade commissioners swallowed hard medicine Tuesday, approving an agreement with the federal and state governments to settle violations of environmental laws and committing $1.6 billion over the next 15 years to fix the county's antiquated water and sewer pipes. "Without water, we can't live. In addition to the $1.6 billion in repairs, the county will have to incur other expenses, including $15 million to cover maintenance and management costs, $2 million over five years from general-obligation bond funds to install sewers in an industrial and commercial area north of the Miami River to reduce water pollution, a one-time $978,100 civil fine and $825,000 to hire an outside monitor to oversee the decree's implementation. Miami Herald (FL), May 21, 08:12 PM
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May 21--OGDEN -- The 2-plus inches of rainfall the Ogden/Northern Wasatch mountains received over the weekend were welcome, bringing the area back up to its monthly average for May. But the total wasn't enough to turn the tide on a snowpack that has been shrinking in the Rocky Mountains for the last three decades, according to a British environmental report. But the bad news is, according to a recent environmental study out of London, the Rocky Mountains are warming. Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT), May 21, 08:38 AM
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May 21--It's no coincidence that a group of visitors from across the globe are asking the same kinds of questions about energy that are dominating discussions about U.S. energy policy. "We have coal, hydroelectric and gas, and we are still asking ourselves what is the most appropriate mix of energy," said Silvia Vlasceanu, dignitary for the Romanian Parliament. After visits to Washington, D.C., and the rich Marcellus natural gas shale in Pennsylvania, dignitaries from China, Turkey, Nigeria, Angola and Romania are in Oklahoma this week to visit local energy companies and learn from this nation's energy sector. Tulsa World (OK), May 21, 08:13 AM
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May 21--Thanks to humanity's addiction to fossil fuels, carbon dioxide levels are the highest they've been in at least 3 million years. For some perspective on this, the last time CO2 levels reached 400 parts per million, the Sahara desert was thick with forests and the Arctic was just as inviting as the Caribbean in terms of temperature. Humans were just a gleam in evolution's eye at that point. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA), May 21, 08:07 AM
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May 21--VERONA -- Augusta County Supervisors will consider Wednesday whether to apply for government or foundation grants to pay for water monitoring of the nutrient pollution flowing through county rivers. Augusta County Service Authority Director Ken Fanfoni and a U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist said the monitoring would provide solid information to present to the federal government. Mandates to reduce the nutrient pollution are expected to be enforced on localities later this decade by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. News Virginian (Waynesboro), May 21, 07:46 AM
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May 21--Residents of a north Boulder neighborhood have hit a dead end with the city in their efforts to get a stop sign, crosswalk or any other traffic-slowing measure installed at what they say is a "horrifically" dangerous intersection leading to a park. But city officials say they've studied the site, and there's not nearly enough traffic at the Dakota Ridge intersection in question to warrant a stop sign or crosswalk. Additionally, Bill Cowern, transportation operations engineer, said the city cut funding in 2003 for neighborhood traffic mitigation, such as speed bumps and traffic circles. Daily Camera (Boulder, CO), May 21, 07:22 AM
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May 21--A local legislator is changing his approach to ensuring that owners of alternative-fuel vehicles fairly contribute to maintaining state bridges and roads. State Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, said Monday he will revise bill S-2531, which he sponsored in February to tax electric or compressed natural gas vehicles for the miles traveled when they were inspected or sold. When told of the change in the bill Monday, Atlantic County Sheriff Frank Balles, Whelan's Republican opponent in November, said the change still could hurt the sale of energy-efficient cars. Press of Atlantic City (NJ), May 21, 07:11 AM
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May 21--Sidewalks, streets and other public transportation projects could get a boost in Oak Park if the village receives a federal grant trustees agreed to seek this week that could be worth millions. The board of trustees Monday supported village staff's application for a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that would go specifically toward enhancing public infrastructure in the village's downtown districts, which include Lake Street from Harlem Avenue to Euclid Avenue, north and south of Lake Street and public streets that connect the Downtown Oak Park Business District and the Hemingway Business District and the Pleasant District. The village has applied for the same grant at least two times in the past unsuccessfully, said Village Manager Cara Pavlicek, but Trustee Ray Johnson said Monday some communities apply up to eight times before being rewarded money. Chicago Tribune, May 21, 06:13 PM
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TOKYO -- Hundreds of residents and evacuees from just outside Fukushima say they have been unfairly denied full compensation despite high radiation levels in their area caused by Japan's 2011 nuclear disaster. Nearly 700 residents from the Hippo district of Miyagi prefecture, just north of Fukushima, are demanding equal compensation to the residents of Fukushima prefecture where the accident occurred. They demanded Tuesday that the nuclear plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., pay them an additional 70 million yen ($690,000) in damages from the Fukushima Dai-ichi meltdowns and radiation fallout. Associated Press, May 21, 06:52 AM
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May 21--The "green" energy provisions of a 2008 state energy law have saved consumers $170 million, according to Ohio State University findings that run counter to the argument that the law's requirements have contributed to an increase in bills. "It appears to be a win-win for the ratepayers and for the Ohio economy," said Joseph Fiksel, a co-author of the study and executive director of OSU's Center for Resilience. The report's sponsor is Advanced Energy Economy Ohio, a group that opposes a legislative push to revise the state energy policy. Columbus Dispatch (OH), May 21, 06:20 AM
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A deadly tornado hit suburban Oklahoma City on Monday. They're not easy to incorporate in the large computer simulations scientists use to gauge the impact of global warming. And when scientists ponder the key weather ingredients that lead to twisters, there's still no clear answer about whether to expect more or fewer twisters. Associated Press/AP Online, May 21, 05:20 PM
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Fee Based Service Expands in Florida DANIEL ISLAND, S.C., May 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SchoolWheels Direct ("SWD"), a subsidiary of Student Transportation Inc., (STI) (TSX:STB) (Nasdaq:STB), North America's third-largest provider of school bus transportation services announced it has been selected by parents of Brevard County Florida to provide school bus transportation services for students to the area's "Choice Schools". The Brevard Public School Board recently voted to close three schools as part of more than $30 million in budget cuts. Approximately 2,500 Brevard students are impacted by the cuts and parents have been notified to find alternative means for transportation. PrimeZone Media Network, May 21, 05:18 PM
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May 21--At least three Republican state lawmakers rallied Monday on the Capitol steps with backers of a gas tax and fee increase that would pay for roads, ferries, mass transit and other transportation improvements. Democrats such as House Transportation Committee Chairwoman Judy Clibborn, Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Rep. Denny Heck want it approved in the Legislature this year. Rep. Hans Zeiger and Sen. Bruce Dammeier, two GOP advocates of extending state Route 167 from their hometown of Puyallup to the Port of Tacoma, spoke to the crowd of a couple hundred people, many of them union workers. News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), May 21, 05:38 AM
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May 21--Wind energy could be stored underground among volcanic rock formations in two places in Eastern Washington, making the seasonal and intermittent power that wind generates more practical, according to a new study. Sites north of Boardman in Benton County and about 10 miles north of Selah in the Yakima Canyon could store enough wind energy to power about 85,000 homes each month, according to the study, conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Bonneville Power Administration. About 13 percent of the Northwest's power supply comes from wind. Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, WA), May 21, 05:35 AM
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May 21--ST. MARYS -- After a wait of nearly five years, residents in the Cumberland Harbour development in St. Marys expect to have more new neighbors soon. Construction in large parts of the 1,100-acre development, between Point Peter Creek and the St. Marys River, has been at a standstill because the previous owner, Land Resource LLC, declared bankruptcy in 2008, and the company that held the bond guaranteeing the infrastructure was completed had its own financial problems. But now that those legal issues are behind, the new owner, Orlando-based M3 American Investments LLC, is optimistic the timing is right for Cumberland Harbour to grow into the development envisioned with the national publicity it received after the 2004 Home & Garden TV Dream Home was built there. Brunswick News (GA), May 21, 05:20 AM
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May 21--The light continues to fade at Solar Power Inc. Reporting another quarterly loss Monday, the Roseville solar-energy developer said it has burned through much of its cash and again warned shareholders it's in danger of going out of business. Solar Power is a victim of an industrywide bust in the solar business, caused largely by massive overproduction on the part of Chinese solar-panel manufacturers. Sacramento Bee (CA), May 21, 05:05 AM
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May 21--Construction of an interchange on Route 175 that will provide easier access to Blandair Park could begin as early as this fall. The design for the interchange, which is proposed as part of Howard County's master plan for the park, has been in the works since 2003, according to Mark Kovach, the project's manager from the county's Department of Public Works. "It's been a long road," said Kovach. Howard County Times (Columbia, MD), May 21, 04:20 PM
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Transportation officials said Tuesday would be the last day of hampered rail commutes from Connecticut to New York City because of last week's train accident. A Metro-North train derailed Friday and sideswiped another train, injuring 70 people and tearing up 2,000 feet of track. Both Metro-North and Amtrak will resume full service Wednesday, The Hartford Courant reported. UPI, May 21, 04:11 PM
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May 21--An extension of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit commuter train service from San Rafael to Larkspur is slowly moving to the fore as officials open the door to seek federal funding for the work. The program funds new projects as well as extensions to commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, bus rapid transit, street cars and ferries. A rail connection to Larkspur Landing and Golden Gate Ferry service to take commuters into San Francisco has been a Marin Independent Journal (CA), May 21, 03:20 PM
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May 21--New signals at 46 intersections that adapt to the flow of traffic could reduce congestion significantly in steadily growing Lexington, a study Monday says. The proposal sets the stage for town leaders to decide if modern technology is a quicker and cheaper way to lessen bottlenecks instead of $80 million in new roads. "It certainly has the potential to be our long-term solution," Mayor Randy Halfacre said. State (Columbia, SC), May 21, 03:37 AM
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May 21--It has a pretty simple name: the Road Fund. Money deposited into the state fund should be used mainly for roads, one would think. "Whereas, concerns have been raised that a significant portion of Road Fund receipts are being used for purposes not directly related to road construction." Daily Gazette (Sterling, IL), May 21, 02:32 PM
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May 21--Throughout the financial downturn, Twin Transit has continued to provide riders six bus routes, each with numerous stops, at a fairly low price. But that consistent service -- coupled with decreased profits during the recession -- has brought Twin Transit to a critical point. The transit agency has become untenably reliant on its fund balance, and, if revenue and spending remain at current levels, its reserves will be depleted by 2015, according to Twin Transit General Manager Rob LaFontaine. Chronicle, The (Centralia, WA), May 21, 02:26 PM
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Moscow, Europe's largest city, is introducing paid parking downtown to combat one of the world's worst congestion levels. Beginning in June, drivers will have to pay 50 rubles ($1.60) an hour to park their cars inside the limits of the Boulevard Ring in Moscow, according to a statement posted on the website of the mayor's office. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has vowed to focus on easing transportation and uprooting corruption after taking over in 2010 from Yury Luzhkov, who had governed the city of 11.5 million for 18 years. "Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)", May 21, 03:05 AM
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It's a sultry day in Naperville, and the heat bounces off the station platform concrete. Right on cue, warning bells go off and a silver Amtrak train glides in: the California Zephyr, bound for Rocky Mountain country, San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean. Cross-country train travel maintains a certain romance, and the Zephyr is one of Amtrak's iconic trains that stops in the suburbs. "Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)", May 21, 03:05 AM
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ONTARIO, May 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the newly updated report on Population Access to the Recycling of Post Consumer Plastic Packaging, May, 2013, prepared for the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), findings show that an increasing number of Canadians have access to recycling many different forms of plastic packaging. As well, 61% of Canadians have access to the recycling of plastic bags and other films. For example, compared to the study's results for 2011 for non bottle rigid plastics: 93% of Canadians have access to recycling of household tubs and lids used for yogurt containers and other dairy products, up from 91% in 2011; 89% access for PET non-bottle rigid packaging (such as trays or bakery clamshells up from 76% in 2011; and, 54% access for polystyrene non bottle rigids, up from 44% in 2011. PrimeZone Media Network, May 21, 02:10 PM
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May 21--ASOTIN -- It took more than a decade, but the Ten Mile Bridge project is finally a wrap. A new concrete bridge on Snake River Road has replaced the old cattle guard, single-lane span over a creek about 5 miles south of Asotin. "I think it's good for the county and tourists to have the project done," said Jim Bridges, Asotin County public works director. Lewiston Morning Tribune (ID), May 21, 08:20 AM
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May 20--I usually have enough sense to pass the hard questions on to the Answer Man, Roger Schlueter, but someone wanted to know: What happens to some of the plastic that we recycle? The issue came up last week because some people who were organizing the annual church picnic at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Shiloh wanted to be as environmentally friendly as possible and recycle as much of the waste from the event as they could. 6 plastic cups, which are often made of polystyrene that can't be easily recycled. Belleville News-Democrat (IL), May 20, 08:08 PM
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May 21--Perrysburg City Council will vote today on a contract for Ride Right for a public transportation service that could start July 1. "That is the tentative date. The city and Ride Right hope the service can start sooner, depending on whether Ride Right gets its drivers, vehicles, phone line, and location set up before July 1. Blade (Toledo, OH), May 21, 07:13 AM
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May 21--Locating all students on a single, new campus is one of five options a Rossford resident group has put forward for upgrading the school district's aged and outdated buildings. The plans range in cost from $70 million to $77 million and were released last week at a community forum that drew about 50 people to the high school auditorium. The single-campus option has a price tag of $72 million and would house all of Rossford's 2,100 students at a new complex on the site of Glenwood Elementary School at Glenwood Road and State Rt. 795, said John Appt, chairman of the Master Plan Steering Committee. Blade (Toledo, OH), May 21, 07:13 AM
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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Commuter rail service between Connecticut and New York City is expected to resume in full by Wednesday morning rush hour, five days after a derailment and crash injured scores of passengers, transit authorities said Monday. The crash in Fairfield at rush hour Friday evening injured 72 people, including one who remained in critical condition Monday. Commuters struggled Monday to find transportation, and many commuters reported rides to work and back home far longer than on typical days. Associated Press/AP Online, May 20, 07:00 PM
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A fractured section of rail was under study yesterday as a likely cause of the Metro-North Railroad collision in Bridgeport, Conn., that injured 72 and stopped service on the New Haven line, investigators said. The broken rail is of substantial interest, said National Transportation Safety Board member Earl Weener. But Weener wouldn't speculate on the cause of the derailment and emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages. The New York Post, May 20, 05:52 PM
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May 20--SPRINGFIELD -- The city-owned gravel parking lot on the corner of North Fountain Avenue and West Columbia Street will get a facelift later this year. A $9 million, three-story, 450-space parking garage is still planned for the location, City Engineer LeoShanayda said. The project will run concurrently with the $1.2 million two-way street conversion and streetscape improvements on Fountain Avenue, which are expected to begin after Memorial Day. Springfield News-Sun (Ohio), May 20, 01:19 PM
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May 20--The Portland Bureau of Transportation will host an open house on June 4 to discuss plans for a $3.25 million investment in Southeast Foster Road. Specifically, the discussion will focus on potential changes in the number of travel lanes, on-street parking, bicycle amenities, crosswalk improvements, plus trees, street lights and sidewalks. The changes would stretch from Southeast Powell Boulevard to 90th Avenue. Oregonian (Portland, OR), May 20, 11:10 PM
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May 21--On Friday evening at rush hour, two Metro-North railroad trains, one heading east out of Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the other heading west out of New Haven toward the Big Apple, approached each other on parallel tracks near Bridgeport. In the busiest rail corridor in the country, trains pass each other all the time. That meant the two active tracks were getting a lot of business. The Hartford Courant, May 20, 10:26 PM
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LOS ANGELES (AP) - Sunbathers flocking to Southern California beaches are used to feeding the meter or paying a parking attendant. That sandy line that long defined the state's disparate beach culture may soon fade. In search of new revenue, the state parks system is eyeing parking fees for parts of the Northern California shoreline where none existed or considering hiking rates to visit popular beaches south of Los Angeles during peak periods. Tulsa World, May 20, 10:51 AM
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SAUGATUCK, Mich. - The windswept dunes lining Lake Michigan's western shoreline seem to invite peace and serenity. The point where the Kalamazoo River flows into the great lake has proved a sandy battlefield pitting Aubrey McClendon, co-founder and former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., against an active group of locals intent on stopping his residential development plans there. The Saugatuck Dunes are a local treasure known nationally, a place where artists came to paint for more than a hundred years, but the good vibes end there. Tulsa World, May 20, 10:51 AM
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May 19--SEBRING -- A $2 million hybrid wetland treatment system for Fisheating Creek, which would use floating aquatic vegetation to remove phosphorus and nitrogen from the water, is one of two area projects that have ended up on an annual legislative budget "turkey" watch list. Florida TaxWatch is urging that Gov. Rick Scott veto more than $100 million worth of projects included in the new state budget. The Fisheating Creek Floating Aquatic Vegetative Tilling system, which will cover both Highlands and Glades counties, is one of 107 items the Tallahassee group wants considered for a gubernatorial veto. Highlands Today (Sebring, FL), May 20, 10:31 AM
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May 19--TRAVERSE CITY -- America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today's gas prices something to fear for in coming years. So predicts John Hoffmeister, who knows more than a little bit about energy. Hoffmeister told the Traverse City Economics Club that America's energy future is perilous if the country doesn't get an "intervention" on its energy policy and cure a dysfunctional, polarized political climate. Record-Eagle, The (Traverse City, MI), May 20, 09:58 AM
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May 20--A review and opportunity for public comment on a proposed plan to monitor former Camp Chaffee property that could contain unexploded munitions and munition debris will be held Tuesday in Booneville. The plan, developed under the guidance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, focuses on recommended remedial action on a site of about 570 acres east of the current Fort Chaffee, near the intersection of Sebastian, Franklin and Logan counties, north of Arkansas 10, south of Catfish Road and east of Rattlesnake Canyon. The public meeting will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Jeral L. Hampton Meeting Place, 114 Main St., in Booneville. Times Record (Fort Smith, AR), May 20, 09:49 AM
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May 20--State environmental regulators determined that oil and gas development damaged the water supplies for at least 161 Pennsylvania homes, farms, churches and businesses between 2008 and the fall of 2012, according to a cache of nearly 1,000 letters and enforcement orders written by Department of Environmental Protection officials and obtained by The Times-Tribune. The determination letters are sent to water supply owners who ask state inspectors to investigate whether oil and gas drilling activities have polluted or diminished the flow of water to their wells. One in six investigations across the roughly five-year period -- 17 percent of the records -- found that oil and gas activity disrupted water supplies either temporarily or seriously enough to require companies to replace the spoiled source. Citizens' Voice, The (Wilkes-Barre, PA), May 20, 08:22 AM
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May 20--Veteran Green Point Nursery owner Jim Balestreri says critics of the plan for a "solar farm" at his 20-acre Olive Avenue business are waging a turf war for his property. Balestreri, whose quest for a solar operation on the nursery began six years ago, is ready for the battle when county planners consider approval of the project later this month. At issue are plans for a 664-kilowatt photovoltaic array rising up to 6 feet above grade on an acre of the nursery at the corner of Atherton and Olive avenues. Marin Independent Journal (CA), May 20, 08:21 AM
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May 20--WHAT HAPPENS TO SEMIS DURING THE I-25/PASEO REBUILD? That question comes from Jim Chivers, who emails "there's a (wallboard) plant on El Pueblo NW at the Jefferson Street intersection, and I am curious to know what, if any, consideration has been factored into the proposed construction at El Pueblo for that truck traffic. As I travel El Pueblo to Jefferson and live in the area, I'm just wondering where that truck traffic is going to be going? Albuquerque Journal (NM), May 20, 08:06 AM
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May 20--Officials in Gregg Township and Millheim could soon know just how to reduce energy costs thanks to a project through the Susquehanna Economic Development Association-Council of Governments. Comprehensive energy audits are underway in four communities across the region, including the two in Centre County, through the SEDA-COG Energy Resource Center and funded by the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund. Gregg Township and Millheim were among 10 communities that underwent bill analyses last year as part of the project. Centre Daily Times (State College, PA), May 20, 07:19 AM
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May 20--YORK, Pa -- Every summer, tourists come to Gettysburg in their cars, trucks and vans, causing congestion on area roads. More visitors than usual are expected in Gettysburg this summer for the 150th events, and planners have been looking for ways to lessen the traffic that will result. "We began to look at how we are going to maximize the use of public transportation in Gettysburg," Farr said. York Daily Record (PA), May 20, 06:40 AM
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May 20--Because of complaints from food-truck owners about Columbus' plan to regulate the popular mobile restaurants, public-safety officials are delaying the start of the program and considering more changes. Truck owners say the 18 to 20 metered parking spots the city planned to make available on a first-come, first-served basis are not enough and would create a hostile environment among owners scrambling for the spots. The city is trying to balance allowing the trucks in already cramped areas such as the Short North, Arena District and Downtown while maintaining public safety and not hurting surrounding businesses. Columbus Dispatch (OH), May 20, 06:20 AM
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May 20--It's just a 4-mile stretch of country road, but Highway 156 is a vital link between the Monterey Peninsula and the Bay Area -- and now it could become the first toll road north of Los Angeles. In a report released Thursday, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County says converting the outdated two-lane Highway 156 into a nearby four-lane toll road between Highways 1 and 101 could be mostly paid for by modest tolls, ranging from $1.60 to $2.50 a trip. The potential impact could extend beyond the Central Coast, creating momentum to build more toll roads statewide, including over the Pacheco Pass parallel to Highway 152 and along Highway 12 through Solano and Contra Costa counties. San Jose Mercury News (CA), May 20, 06:07 AM
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WASHINGTON -- A new government report details 87 shipwrecks _ most sunk during World War II decades ago _ that could pollute U.S. waters with tens of millions of gallons of oil. Agency officials estimate that far less oil will leak into the ocean than the BP oil spill of 2010, which spewed roughly 200 million gallons into the Gulf of Mexico alone. "That's not a bad number in comparison to what we first thought it would be," said NOAA's Lisa Symons, who wrote the study. Associated Press, May 20, 04:34 PM
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Monessen has been sued in two counties over the rezoning of an industrial tract along the Monongahela River where a proposed artist colony headquarters would be located. The rezoning bans construction of new buildings or industrial facilities within 600 feet of the river. Plant manager Paul Champagne said the company has pledged to invest $50 million to reopen the plant, adding as many as 180 jobs. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (PA), May 20, 05:19 AM
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May 19--China's heightened scrutiny of inbound waste shipments is hurting diehard recyclers in Lane County and beyond. In late April, International Paper Recycling in Glenwood -- the main local drop-off point for large mixed plastics that can't be put in curb-side bins -- stopped accepting many items of that type, officials said. The change was prompted by China's new "Operation Green Fence" program, which limits the import of certain types of solid waste that are included in containers of used plastics and other recyclable materials that China imports. Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), May 20, 04:28 PM
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The first work day after two trains collided proved a frustrating commute for many trying to get in to New York City from Connecticut's suburbs, officials said. Last week's crash in Fairfield, Conn., between two Metro-North trains that injured 70 people, has shut down a shared rail line also used by Amtrak for the next several days while the rail cars are removed and damaged tracks are repaired. Metro-North set up a shuttle bus system to offer riders who were forced off the train a lift to the next station, The New York Times said. UPI, May 20, 03:56 PM
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May 19--JEFFERSON CITY -- Those who hoped a highway funding bill would go to a vote of the people saw the bill run head-on into a fatal political wreck. John Lamping, Rob Schauf and Ed Emory filibustered Tuesday against the bill to improve state roads and bridges, and to fund trails and passenger rail. "This is four years of due diligent research by blue ribbon commissions and (supporters) had assembled one of the greatest coalitions for a statewide initiative that the state's ever seen, and it's a vote of the people," Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, said Friday. Daily Star-Journal (Warrensburg, MO), May 20, 03:49 PM
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May 20--More capital-area workers are ditching their cars and taking transit to commute, according to a study of regional commuter patterns released Wednesday. The city of Frederick has worked to stay on top of the trend by listing TransIT needs in the city's annual priorities letter and supporting events promoting commuter options, city planner Tim Davis said. In Frederick, the number of workers choosing transit increased from 1.3 to 3 percent. Frederick News-Post (MD), May 20, 03:50 AM
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May 20--The Memphis City Council has so far heard the parts of the budget that run the city -- salaries, benefits and contracted services. On Tuesday, council members will review the city's capital budget, the part that deals with tangible stuff like roads, sewers, ambulances, police cars and buildings. Mayor A C Wharton's proposed capital budget is $165.4 million this year. "Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)", May 20, 03:42 AM
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WORCESTER - Henry C. Papuga, former manager of the Milford Water Co., told a judge Friday he realized almost immediately that he had made a terrible mistake after he made a spur-of-the-moment decision to add bleach to water samples in an effort to end a prolonged 2009 boil water order in his hometown. Saying it was "a very poor decision on my part," the 62-year-old Mr. Papuga apologized to everyone affected by his actions, particularly the residents of Milford, whom he had served for 27 years as manager of the privately owned water company. Judge David Ricciardone sentenced Mr. Papuga to a year in the House of Correction on Friday, but suspended the sentence for five years with probation after finding him guilty of six counts of tampering with an environmental monitoring device and two counts of making false statements on chain-of-custody forms related to the samples. "Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA)", May 20, 03:04 AM
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INNOVATIONS school design influenced by public health prove there can be just as much education in a school cafeteria as a classroom. A team of health professionals and architects collaborated on Healthy Eating Design Guidelines for School Architecture the result of a four-year project to create an interactive, shared dining area between two Dillwyn, Va., schools. In Dillwyn, the new dining area includes a teaching kitchen, which students and staff can use for cooking lessons, new serving areas with healthy snack choices and a school garden. "Nation's Health, The", May 20, 11:59 AM
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Climate change is an issue that needs to be discussed thoughtfully and objectively. The rhetoric has driven some policymakers toward costly regulations and policies that will harm hardworking American families and do little to decrease global carbon emissions. The Obama administration's decision to delay, and possibly deny, the Keystone XL pipeline is a prime example. The Washington Post, May 20, 02:13 AM
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BETHEL -- The Clear Water Carbon Fund planted 250 trees along the Pleasant River, a tributary of the Androscoggin River, in West Bethel this month. Saplings are planted along the Pleasant River in West Bethel this month as part of the Clear Water Carbon Fund's effort to improve water quality and remove and store carbon emissions from the atmosphere. The trees planted along the Pleasant River were sponsored by Central Maine Power as part of a promotion to encourage customers to switch from receiving bills in the mail to electronic billing. "Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME)", May 20, 01:38 AM
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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Connecticut commuters endured slow trips to work Monday following last week's train collision that injured 72 people and disrupted rail service into New York City. From there, he planned to board a shuttle bus to Stamford where he could catch a train to Grand Central Station in New York. A shuttle train was operating about every 20 minutes Monday morning between New Haven and Bridgeport. Associated Press/AP Online, May 20, 12:44 PM
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ARCADIA-- A multi-million dollar makeover of parts of historic Santa Anita Park will include a remodel of the storied Chandelier Room that aims to restore the racetrack's most popular event venue to its former glamour, racetrack officials said this week. Santa Anita officials said future renovations in the coming years include a remodel of the nearly 80-year-old room and other portions of the grandstand that will be true to the architectural and design style of the Art Deco period that originally inspired it. Santa Anita Park Chairman Keith Brackpool said the notion that the classy but aging Chandelier Room could be turned into a nightclub, as recently reported, was "totally insane." Pasadena Star - News (CA), May 19, 11:18 PM
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Two Metro-North trains collided in Connecticut during the evening rush hour yesterday, injuring 60 passengers and causing massive delays on the New Haven line and Amtrak that could last for days, authorities said. The accident happened about 6:10 p.m. near the Bridgeport- Fairfield border when an eastbound train from Grand Central Terminal carrying 300 people derailed on a section of track near a viaduct undergoing renovation, authorities said. A New York-bound train from New Haven carrying 400 passengers then collided with the train, sending passengers and crews flying. The New York Post, May 20, 09:31 AM
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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. _ The roughly 125,000 commuters who rely on the Metro-North rail line _ as well as thousands of other travelers _ face a potential nightmare of detours and traffic jams Monday morning in the aftermath of Friday's train crash in Connecticut. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said delays and disruptions are possible throughout the coming week for commuters who take the Metro-North Commuter Railroad into New York City and for those who drive into the city. During peak commuting hours trains will run about every 20 minutes between New Haven and Bridgeport on the New Haven commuter line. Hartford Courant (CT), May 19, 09:09 PM
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[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]Many urban areas were not designed with an eye for encouraging recreation and fitness. Indeed, this issue is inherent in much of the infrastructure in the United States, creating significant barriers to park access and utilization. The Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department is developing a Parks and Open Space Master Plan to reduce park inequity and increase physical activity. Parks & Recreation, May 19, 11:03 PM
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METRO-NORTH RAILROAD SERVICE PROBLEMS: Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says roads could be a mess for a week as Metro-North Railroad crews repair tracks, overhead wires and other equipment. A shuttle train will operate between New Haven and Bridgeport with shuttle buses running between Bridgeport and Stamford. Associated Press/AP Online, May 19, 07:22 PM
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BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut -- Tens of thousands of commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment that injured scores of passengers. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy warned Sunday that traffic in southwest Connecticut could be a mess for as much as a week until service is restored to the commuter rail line. Each day, approximately 30,000 Metro-North customers use the 12 stations on the New Haven line between South Norwalk and New Haven where service has been shut down, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates Metro-North. Associated Press, May 19, 07:15 PM
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