Before you drag the tree out to the curb...

Before you drag that Christmas tree thats been dropping needles all over your living room out to the curb for pick-up, check your options for recycling the tree in your area. Many times, Christmas trees can be used as fertilizer or mulch, and many localities now offer free pick-up after the holidays. To see what's in your area, Treehugger has these suggestions:

[If] you want to recycle your tree and are not sure how: check out Earth911 for tips on the tree recycling options nearest to you (in the USA/Canada only) Treehugger earlier suggested Earth911 as a valuable resource for other periodic waste challenges such as batteries or used oil, but it seems timely to point out their service of the season.

And if you still haven't nailed down that new years resolution (hint, hint), Earth911 also has some ideas for going green in 2008.

Stay tuned for more suggestions for the new year...

Center approved for tax-exempt status

Big news from the Center for a Better South: The IRS has (finally) approved our application for tax-exempt status. Donations now are tax-deductible.

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Coal's big year

Looking back on 2007, Grist has posted this collection of stories that show a nationwide movement away from coal power by default. Stories from down south include:

Seminole Electric Power Cooperative's Seminole 3 Generating Station (Florida) - proposed 750 MW plant rejected by Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the grounds that the plant would not minimize environmental and public health impacts, and would not serve the public interest. August 2007.

Peabody Coal Company's Thoroughbred Generating Station (Kentucky) - air permit for 1500 MW plant reversed by Franklin Circuit Court due to inadequate air pollution control analysis. August 2007.

Florida Municipal Power Agency's Taylor Energy Center (Florida) - proposed 800 MW plant withdrawn by applicant shortly after Florida PSC denied application for Glades Power Plant. July 2007.

In other news, President Bush has nominated the former chief operating officer of mining company Massey Energy, Stanley Suboleski, to be the Department of Energy's assistant secretary of fossil energy.