| Click here for more Australian Open news
Sharapova, who has struggled in the Melbourne conditions in the past, not only handled the 34-degree heat far better than her opponent but also the big-match atmosphere. Despite being just two points from losing the first set, when trailing 4-5 and 0-30, Sharapova's serve and steadiness under pressure proved the difference. Sharapova committed just 15 unforced errors to Ivanovic's 33 and was practically unbeatable on serve, winning 89% of points on her first serve and 70% on her second. Ivanovic, who broke Sharapova just once in the match and lost her own serve on four occasions, took heart from the fact she performed far better in her second grand slam final than in her first when she was humiliated 6-1 6-2 by Henin in last year's French Open final.
Somerset Power gets OK to begin coal gasification
The Department of Environmental Protection on Thursday gave the green light to Somerset Power LLC's plan to begin coal gasification at its Riverside Avenue plant. Outraged environmentalists and community activists called the decision unacceptable and said it significantly undermined the state's global warming policy. Earlier this month, the state's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declined to order a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review of the plant. The Conservation Law Foundation, which lobbies on environmental issues in New England, asked for the review. "In a final permit issued by DEP, the commonwealth said it would allow the power plant to adopt experimental coal plasma gasification technology and continue releasing carbon dioxide at current levels," said the foundation's spokesman Colin Durrant.
Carbon capture strategy could lead to emission-free cars
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a strategy to capture, store and eventually recycle carbon from vehicles to prevent the pollutant from finding its way from a car tailpipe into the atmosphere. Georgia Tech researchers envision a zero emission car, and a transportation system completely free of fossil fuels. .
Chlorine gas leak at Big Butte Springs plant creates alarm
A chlorine gas leak at the Big Butte Springs water disinfecting plant created a scare for several hours Monday morning. Alarms sounded at the plant near Fish Lake Road, indicating a leak, said Larry Rains, manager for the Medford Water Commission, which operates the plant. The building and nearby homes were evacuated. Rains said the leak was initially treated as a serious incident because officials didn't know the extent of the problem. The leak was contained by mid-afternoon and deemed small, said Laura Hodnett, public information coordinator for the commission. Hodnett said the water is safe to drink for everyone except 68 residential customers who obtain water directly from the Big Butte Springs pipeline. They have been cautioned to boil their water before using it.
|
