Smokestack

Southern Coal is recalling several hundred laid off workers and plans to hire 650 more, thanks to a new contract from American Electric Power.

From the Williamson (WV) Daily News:

As some degree of climate change is already evident, scientists are beginning to look at whether slightly warmer temperatures in American cities could have some indirectly positive benefits.

Obviously, most of the events associated with climate change are anything but positive: ie. flooding and hotter summers. But along with studying how to mitigate those factors, scientists are looking at ways cities could use those warmer temperatures to fight climate change.

Governor Steve Beshear’s administration has settled with a former official in the state’s Energy and Environment cabinet over claims that he was wrongly fired in 2009.

Ron Mills was the head of the cabinet’s Division of Mine Permits, which is a politically-appointed position. The lawsuit he filed against the state alleges he was fired in 2009 for refusing to issue illegal mining permits.

When it comes to trash, you can stick it in a landfill. But using it to create energy is an increasingly popular option.

Over the next few weeks, Congress will decide whether to extend a key tax credit to the wind industry. The wind production tax credit—or PTC—subsidizes wind production at 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour, and without action it will expire at the end of the year.

Work has begun on a new greenhouse for Yew Dell Gardens—one that incorporates renewable energy and other sustainable elements. But the structure’s architects say the most important elements are the simplest.

Yew Dell’s new greenhouse is meant to be a demonstration structure of different ways to build “green.” It’s powered by solar panels, and heated by geothermal energy.

Want to know how the three upcoming holidays are going to wreak havoc with your garbage and recycling pick-up? Check out the handy schedule below from Metro Government.

Thanksgiving Day 2012

The University of Kentucky recently spent $25 million in energy savings projects, and that work is already showing results.

The Herald-Leader reports that costs have been cut by $2.4 million a year. $2.2 million of those savings will go toward the $25 million bond, while the remaining $200,000 will be set aside for future energy projects. And the projects have also reduced UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 23,291 tons a year.

Last night, the second part of Ken Burns' latest documentary premiered on PBS. "The Dust Bowl" tells the story of the people who farmed the Great Plains in the 1920s and 1930s; many stayed on once the ground dried up and dust storms became commonplace, while others moved west to find work.

A report commissioned by the World Bank says the Earth is on a path to a climate that is 4 degrees Celsius warmer by the end of the century. In order to slow this down, world leaders will have to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than they're currently doing.