A.M. Greenlist: Waxman keeps busy

Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) has been keeping busy:

>> A report from a committee chaired by Waxman found that spinach facilities aren't adequately regulated, despite recent E.Coli scares. The FDA found "objectionable conditions" in almost half the packaged spinach producers inspected, but didn't take any enforcement action, according to a report by the from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

>> Waxman also accused the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of halting efforts to regulate CO2 emissions, "which would appear to be a violation of the Supreme Court's directive and an abdication of your responsibility to protect health and the environment from dangerous emissions of CO2."

>> While remaining mum on that issue, The EPA did lower limits on ozone pollution a bit. Industry groups say it was lowered too much, enviro groups too little.

>> Silver Lake Reservoir's been drained to get rid of water contaminated by a carcinogen called bromate. After a good cleaning, the reservoir will be filled back up by June 1.

>> California deserts  might not receive federally protected status via the proposed National Landscape Conservation Act -- because the deserts don't have the word "national" in their names.

>> Barring an emergency exemption, salmon season in California and Oregon are likely to be canceled, according to the federal Pacific Fishery Management Council. The final decision comes down next month.  (via grist)

>> Biodiesel plants are polluting waterways with oil and grease. Some of these companies may just be "inexperienced in the manufacturing process and its wastes," while others could be "skirting the permit process to get their plants up and running faster."

>> How to grow upside-down tomatoes on your balcony, with the help of a hanging wire basket planter with a coconut liner.

Photo by Francis Mariani via Flickr