U.S. cars and pickup trucks are reportedly responsible for nearly half of the world’s greenhouse gases.

According to Environmental Defense, the nation’s cars emit the most pollution.  It is true tat U.S. cars are driven more miles, provide less fuel economy and use fuel with more carbon than many automobiles driven in other countries but it is still a sad record.

In a strange twist, small cars emit more carbon dioxide than do SUVs, the reason behind being more older small vehicles with higher emissions are still in service.

The Environmental Defense said it hopes its findings will lead to laws requiring higher fuel economy standards for vehicles and a mandatory cap on greenhouse gases from all sources.  We know how GM, amongst other has manufactured hybrid trucks for tax breaks but rarely advertises this.

Here is the original article.

Depending on which side of the fence you sit, this could good or bad news.  Owners of older homes may soon get the chance to apply for a new permit allowing them to get around certain zoning restrictions preventing them from making renovations.

A Virginia Supreme Court ruled that localities cannot approve variances from the zoning ordinance after a case cited the granting of a variance by the Board of Zoning Appeals was challenged by neighbors and the county Board of Supervisors.  Homeowners who want to increase the size of their home up to 150 percent could apply for a permit but they cannot remove more than 50 percent of the existing home as part of the renovation.

More here.