Wet weather this spring has improved drought conditions in Minnesota and southern Canada. However, experts remain on alert for increased wildfire activity and other climate changes affecting people s health. Poor air quality was a frequent topic last year in the upper Midwest, as smoke pushed down from Canadian wildfires. .
A new poll showed New Mexico voters expressed a deep affection for lands, water and wildlife and want policies offering greater protections. The 14th annual Colorado College "State of the Rockies" survey of 3,400 voters in eight Western states found increasing support for conservation even as political affiliation fades. Dave Metz, principal and president of the polling firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz and Associates, said they are in favor of requiring oil and gas companies to pay for clean up and restoration on lands where they have drilled and favor limiting where the companies are allowed to drill. .
Virginia s General Assembly has approved legislation to develop small modular nuclear reactors. The bills passed both chambers despite concerns about how this affects ratepayers. Senate Bill 454 allows utility companies to begin billing customers during a research and development phase, which means ratepayers can be billed for engineering, site development and other costs before utility companies get a power plant permit. .
Surcharge on utility bills to kick in this month bignewsnetwork.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bignewsnetwork.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.