The estimated 7.0 earthquake (and potential tsunami) last night, centered in the Pacific Ocean 300 miles northwest of San Francisco, is a reminder to Bay Area residents that they need to be prepared now, according to Harold Brooks CEO of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter.

'Green' construction to provide environmentally friendly energy. The newly reconstructed Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn has become the city's first solar-powered train terminal, and one of the most environmentally friendly mass transportation sites ever built in the United States.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today announced the names of key panelists who will testify at a public hearing concerning the causes of chemical dust explosions and fires at industrial facilities. The hearing is part of an ongoing investigation into the causes and prevention of dust explosions, like the tragedies in Kinston, North Carolina (West Pharmaceutical Services), Corbin, Kentucky (CTA Acoustics), and Huntington, Indiana (Hayes-Lemmerz) in 2003. A total of 14 people were killed and 81 injured in these three accidents. Information on the accidents can be found at http://www.csb.gov/.

Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), his colleagues in Congress, and a unique coalition of organizations representing the diesel industry and the environmental community, will join together in a press conference to introduce the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005. This landmark legislation will establish a national grant and loan program that will distribute $200 million annually to states and other organizations for programs aimed at improving air quality and public health by reducing emissions from diesel engines. Public, public-private and private fleets will be eligible for funds under this proposed legislation.

After the announcement, the following representatives of these organizations will be available for questions: Refuge Manager John Hartig; Anita Twardesky, co-chair of the Downriver Linked Greenways; and Mary Bohling, co-chair of the Downriver Linked Greenways and DTE Energy environmental specialist.

Video taken from the International Space Station this afternoon of the Atlantic hurricane season's first tropical storm will air on NASA Television starting at 4 p.m. EDT.

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced 15 states will receive a total of $104.5 million in Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) funding for locally-sponsored watershed protection projects resulting from floods and other natural disasters such as tornadoes, fires, drought and hurricanes. California's share -- $10.8 million -- will assist in the aftermath of record-breaking rainfall during January and February 2005 in Southern California.

To recognize graphic design work among non-profit, pro-environmental organizations, Neenah Paper is still seeking entries for its third annual "Design for the Environment Contest." To enter the "Design for the Environment Contest," graphic designers can visit http://www.neenahpaper.com/earth for official rules and entry requirements. All entries must be postmarked by June 30, 2005. The winning designs will be announced in mid July.

Ford Motor Company today revealed the $100,000 radical renovation of the newly "green" Escalante Elementary School to students, parents, teachers and elected officials. A new outdoor classroom, water conservation system, wildlife habitat, vegetable garden and soccer field are part of the eco-friendly makeover the school received as the national winner of Ford's Radical Renovation: School Edition contest.

Last year, four hurricanes battered the East Coast in less than three months prompting the Red Cross to mount its largest and most expensive response to a natural disaster in the organization's history. Thousands of people turned to the media for information on the storms' paths and where to go for help. With predictions of another busy hurricane season on the horizon, the American Red Cross and Lowe's invite you to join us for Hurricane Summit 2005:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is contributing $100,000 to the 2005 United Nations World Environment Day conference, being held in San Francisco June 1-5. In addition to being a key sponsor, PG&E is also lending its facilities and environmental expertise for several of the conference events.

Hurricane season 2004 was unprecedented, with four major hurricanes wreaking havoc within a six-week period. A new hurricane season begins June 1, and hurricane forecasters are predicting another above-normal hurricane season, with the possibility of at least 12 to 15 tropical storms, and seven to nine of them becoming hurricanes. In anticipation of this year's hurricane season, the American Red Cross encourages each of us to begin preparing now.

HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. today announced that customized interactive demonstrations of WeatherTRAK-enabled products from The Toro Company, Irritrol Systems, Inc. and HydroPoint are now available to PCBC 2005 attendees. Held continuously during exhibiting hours, these demonstrations highlight the unique capabilities of WeatherTRAK-enabled controllers, which have been proven in more than seven years of independent scientific study to reduce water use by up to 59 percent and runoff pollution by as much as 71 percent.

What would be the consequences to the Canadian fish farming industry if a cost-effective land-based fish farming system were to be developed? Is it possible that the environmental problems concerning disease, escaping of fish, chemical use and sea lice have been solved? Can optimal environmental conditions be maintained at a farm that not only ensures the proper health and welfare of the fish, but in doing so, reduces feed requirements by 30-40%? Why is it that modern multinational companies continue to use open net pen technology?

Mercury from human teeth poisons Connecticut waterways, experts said today, urging the state to recognize that, under current law, dentists are banned from using this deadly neurotoxin. "The purpose of the state's anti-mercury law is clear -- elimination of the discharge of mercury into our environment," said Kathleen Bailey, chair of the Coalition to Enforce Connecticut's Zero Mercury Law. "Here is a perfect opportunity for the state to take the lead in ridding our environment of this toxic metal."