Governor Deval Patrick signed a landmark energy bill yesterday that does away with long-standing obstacles to building renewable power projects in Massachusetts and making homes and businesses more energy efficient.

The Green Communities Act was hailed by environmentalists as among the most innovative efforts in the nation to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to encourage use of clean technologies that don't contribute to global warming.

Supporters said the new law could save hundreds of millions of dollars through energy efficiency, helping to hold down consumers' electric bills as energy prices are skyrocketing.

Source: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2008/07/03/state_starts_a_green_era/

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More than 10,000 people have been mobilised in the Chinese city of Qingdao to clean up green algae, which have invaded the Olympic sailing venue.

The algae had arrived in late May and now covered 13,000 sq km (5,000 sq miles) of sea, Xinhua news agency said.

They occupy almost a third of the area that will be used for the sailing competition during the 9-21 August Olympic Games.

Officials estimate that the clean-up will take two more weeks.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7482791.stm

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White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin will be leaving his job this month, according to White House spokesperson Dana Perino.

Hagin sent an email to friends this morning, announcing he is leaving to take a private sector job. Hagin, an Ohio native, has been with President Bush since the 2000 campaign.

Source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/03/deputy-chief-of-staff-to-leave-white-house/

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Andrew W.K. will be speaking at afterHOURS on July 9th at 8PM. This event is NU +1, so feel free to bring a friend! DJ Ghostdad will be spinning before and after.

For more info, check out www.wrbbradio.org.