2003 DECEMBER
Dec. 17, 2003

Survival Battle: Salmon in the Pacific Northwest
The presence of salmon in the waterways of the Pacific Northwest has been increasing in recent years, but the Bush administration and some scientists disagree over who can take the credit. Lee Hochberg reports that what the president says is a success, others call a fish story.

Dec. 11, 2003

Mike Leavitt: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt became head of the Environmental Protection Agency in November. Since then, the agency has released two controversial proposals aimed at reducing emissions from power plants. Margaret Warner discusses these and other issues with the new administrator.

  

NOVEMBER
Nov. 19, 2003

Newsmaker: Spencer Abraham
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham discusses the initial findings of a U.S.-Canadian task force that has been investigating the massive electricity blackout on August 14. He also explains how measures in the energy bill being considered in the Senate would help prevent future blackouts.

  

Nov. 17, 2003

Energy Deal
The House and Senate are nearing completion of a comprehensive energy bill. Two members of the energy conference committee, Reps. Joe Barton (R-Texas) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.), present drastically different viewpoints of the bill.

  

Nov. 7, 2003

Reservations: Burned Out
Some Native Americans who live on the dozen Indian reservations in eastern San Diego County have not received the same attention as other Californians for their suffering. Jeffrey Kaye of KCET-Los Angeles visited the devastated San Pasqual Reservation, where one third of the residents' homes were devoured by flames.

OCTOBER
Oct. 31, 2003

California Firestorms
Cooler temperatures and dense fog brought encouragement to Californians after a week of wildfires that have killed 20 people, destroyed more than 2,800 homes and burned nearly 750,000 acres. Jeffrey Kaye reports from the Cedar Fire outside San Diego, which has consumed 275,000 acres.

Oct. 30, 2003

Saving the Forests
The Senate is poised to pass a bill which would approve more extensive logging on more than 20 million acres of federal forests. The House of Representatives is considering legislation that would devote a record $2.9 billion for firefighting and proactive programs to reduce fire risks. Kwame Holman reports.

Oct. 30, 2003

California Firestorms
More temperate temperatures and some light rain moved into the San Bernadino Mountains and eastern San Diego County, but firefighters face flames fanned by winds that are still gusting to 40 miles per hour. Spencer Michels reports from California, and Ray Suarez follows up in a conversation with Jerry Williams and Jim Purpura.

  

Oct. 29, 2003

Solar Storm
A giant geometric flare unleashed by the sun threatened to disrupt airline and satellite communications and trigger shutdowns on electrical power grids Wednesday. Margaret Warner talks to an expert about what causes solar flares and how they affect Earth.

  

Oct. 28, 2003

California Wildfires
Wind-swept wildfires have consumed 522,000 acres of Southern California, destroyed 1,552 homes and claimed 17 lives. Jeffrey Kaye of KCET-Los Angeles provides a firsthand view of the devastation from the fireline in San Bernadino.

  

Oct. 27, 2003

California Wildfires
Wildfires continued to rage out of control in parts of Southern California on Monday. Ray Suarez speaks with San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy about the battle against the fires that have already taken 13 lives and destroyed more than 850 homes.

  

Oct. 17, 2003

Dam Corruption
China's mammoth Yangtse River will soon be controlled by the largest dam ever built, but the edifice is still not strong enough to quell the tide of corruption. Ian Williams of Independent Television News reports on some of the human consequences of the immense engineering and construction project.

Oct. 7, 2003

Western Drought
Western regions of the United States continue to cope with the decimation caused by the lack of rain. Ted Robbins of KUAT in Tucson, Ariz., provides an update on the drought.

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 17, 2003

Bracing for Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel is closing in on the East Coast. Jeffrey Brown gets the latest on the storm from Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

  

AUGUST
Aug. 27, 2003

EPA Rule Change: Emissions Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency revised an emissions rule to benefit older power plants. An EPA official and an environmentalist debate the rule's merits.

  

Aug. 25, 2003

Power Failure
Upgrading the U.S. electric transmission grid to prevent future blackouts could cost $100 billion, according to an industry report released Monday. Experts discuss these proposed improvements to the grid system and the investigation into the cause of the August 14 blackout.

  

Aug. 22, 2003

On the Beach: Coastal Erosion
Growing levels of coastal erosion are washing away California's beaches. Jeffrey Kaye of KCET Los Angeles explores the problem and restoration efforts.

  

Aug. 18, 2003

Power Politics
Last week's sweeping power outages heated up the debate over the country's energy policies. Experts discuss how to improve the reliability of the nation's electric power grid.

  

Aug. 15, 2003

Unplugged: Power Grid Failure
A power grid failure on Thursday left much of the northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada without electricity. Experts discuss the structure and vulnerability of the U.S. electrical grid system.

  

Aug. 15, 2003

Political Analysis by Shields and York
Columnists Mark Shields and Byron York discuss the week's news, including the blackout and the California recall.

  

Aug. 14, 2003

Power Outage
An electricity blackout that began at around 4 pm EDT Thursday paralyzed much of the northeastern United States and parts of Canada. A New York Times reporter and an energy expert discuss the likely causes of the power outage, and how authorities are dealing with the situation.

Aug. 12, 2003

Background EPA Choice: Utah Governor Mike Leavitt
President Bush nominated Utah Governor Mike Leavitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Betty Ann Bowser reports on the nimonee's political background.

Aug. 12, 2003

EPA Choice: Utah Governor Mike Leavitt
President Bush has tapped Utah Governor Mike Leavitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Experts assess the likely political and environmental impact of the Leavitt nomination.

  

JULY
July 30, 2003

Riding High: Sport Utility Vehicles
A report on the evolution of sport utility vehicles from critics who challenge their environmental impact and safety record to drivers who are buying them in record numbers.

  

July 17, 2003

Preserving Utah's Wilderness
A battle over federal wilderness designations in Utah ended when the state convinced the federal government to drop certain land restrictions, an agreement environmentalists say will endanger pristine areas.

  

JUNE
June 4, 2003

Rough Seas: The Future of the Fishing Industry
As the beach vacation season gains momentum, a new report by the Pew Oceans Commission warns that the world's oceans are in danger from over fishing, pollution and urban sprawl. Ray Suarez examines theses issues and the future of the fishing industry with two experts.

  

MAY
May 21, 2003

Christine Todd Whitman Leaving the EPA
Christine Todd Whitman, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, is leaving her post after more than two years of highly charged debates that often put her at odds with others in the Bush administration. Experts examine President Bush's environmental record under her tenure.

  

JANUARY
Jan. 2, 2003

Power Plays
New power plants south of the border are generating controversy. Jeffrey Kaye reports.