STOPPING NASTY FLATULENCE: The Alabama Wildlife Federation has recognized Calera-based Southern Lime Company as Air Conservationist of the Year, according to an August 15 report by Brad Gaskins of The Shelby County Reporter.

COAL AND WATER DON’T MIX: Alabama’s waterways have been threatened on several fronts in the past year. According to the Southern Environmental Law Center, two coal mines in the Birmingham metro area— Rosa Mine and the proposed Shepherd Bend mine—would pollute the Black Warrior River and, by extension, Birmingham’s drinking water. But the Magic City isn’t the only one whose water supply may be endangered.

NOT SO FAST, EDDIE: Two Democratic congressmen have filed legislation to strip Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas of revenues from offshore oil drilling in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

COAL MINE CONTROVERSY: Eco-groups Black Warrior Riverkeeper and the Southern Environmental Law Center say they will continue to fight a permit issued to the operators of the proposed Shepherd Bend coal mine on the Black Warrior River, despite a recent legal setback.

CHECKBOOK DEMOCRACY: Greenpeace has accused 15 members of the U.S. House of Representatives—all of whom get substantial financial support from the energy business—of fighting attempts to set tougher federal standards for pollutants from coal-fired power plants.

WORRY ON THE MOUNTAIN: According to the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Birmingham Mayor William Bell’s proposed budget allocates no money for Ruffner, a funding cut that could threaten the continued existence of the Center and its education and recreation programs.

LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: We welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for his latest update of the status of eco-related bills under consideration in the Alabama legislature:

LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: We welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for his biweekly update of the status of ecorelated bills under consideration in the Alabama legislature:

LEGISLATIVE GREEN UPDATE: We welcome Adam Snyder of Conservation Alabama for his biweekly update of the status of eco-related bills under consideration in the Alabama legislature

As we learned from our voracious Earth Day research last issue, there is a tiny little interval during which civic merrymaking can be comfortably enjoyed before the infernal brilliance of a Birmingham summer sears us in our own juices.