Environmentalists in England are charging local and central government officials with bending their own rules to allow various developments in scenic, rural areas and environmentally-sensitive lands.
Environmentally-destructive development projects are being approved in England's scenic natural areas, and environmentalists are blaming the government for bending its own rules to allow the projects. Ranging from large road projects to quarrying to wind farms, these approved projects have generated a large movement of opposition amongst England's environmentalists. Government agencies are being investigated for violating their own "protective planning" laws that set aside sensitive lands and prohibit large-scale development.
"Serious damage is imminent to two national parks and seven officially designated areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), says the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which has posted a list of 'nine jewels in the crown' under threat. 'This is not a matter of developers finding some clever loophole in the laws,' said Tom Oliver, the group's head of rural policy. 'It is the authorities themselves - central and local government - which are threatening most of the damage.' "
"The 'assault on the rules', as the CPRE terms the change of attitude, has also alarmed the government's cost watchdog, the National Audit Office, which monitors central government spending, and the Audit Commission, which does the same for local councils. Both are questioning the spiraling costs of road schemes, and the cost-benefit analyses used in preliminary planning discussions and public inquiries."
FULL STORY: Officials accused of bypassing rural safeguards in development drive

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
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Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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