With major cuts in funding, the future is unclear for cellulosic biofuels, an energy source researchers have called “the most promising” of all biofuels. Biofuels are an alternative energy source to petroleum fuel and can be produced from corn, oil or plant material. The fuels are appealing to those
Every time you put gas in your car, you’re adding a bit of renewable fuel to your tank, as well. You may not notice since renewable fuels are government-mandated, and they only save you a few pennies per gallon of gasoline, according to industry experts. But behind the scenes, there is complex polic
That paint-like scum that covers some Iowa lakes every summer isn’t just gross and smelly. People, pets, and livestock coming into contact with or ingesting toxins produced by the algae are at risk to symptoms including skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues and, in high doses, liver failure.
Beach-goers in eastern Iowa's Johnson County looking for a final summer swim before school starts should be aware of two unpleasant dangers — toxic algae and E. coli. [One of two stories in a special IowaWatch-Iowa City Press-Citizen collaboration.]
Only certain strains of cyanobacteria can produce toxins, although they don’t always do so. “Scientists generally agree that the cyanobacteria evolved this ability to produce toxin either as a competitive advantage or as some sort of protection,” Mary Skopec, who heads the Iowa Department of Natural
Hundreds of farmers and industry advocates used a Kansas hearing in late June to rally against recent cuts in ethanol mandates. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed to cut billions of gallons from renewable fuel mandates for 2014 through 2016. Corn ethanol cuts alone total nearly 4 billion g
St. Louis-based seed company Monsanto has spearheaded a push for seed biotechnology, a Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting analysis of the USDA data found for this report.
Iowa's wind industry must deal with unwanted bat deaths as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tries to stop the slaughter of one species – the northern long-eared bat. This, despite wind turbines not being the bats' main tormentor.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking the public’s suggestions for writing an environmental impact statement for an eight-state Midwestern plan designed to help conserve the habitats of several species of animals, including three types of bats that are impacted by wind energy facilities.
The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers finalized the Waters of the U.S. rule on Wednesday. The agriculture industry and farmers have opposed the rule, calling it a Washington power grab. Although finalized, the rule still faces lawsuit threats and legislative obstacles.
The Farm Bill passed by Congress a year ago will have far reaching effects on federal conservation efforts throughout the Midwest. The bill slashed conservation funding by $4 billion and reduced the number of acres allowed into the Conservation Reserve Program by millions.
Agribusiness giant Monsanto is steadily moving forward on the introduction of its next major wave of genetically engineered crops. It's a bid to stop a super weed, but with critics.
