Daily Roundup: May 8, 2009

Polar Standstill: The Bush administration's policy on polar bears will remain intact, limiting the bears' protection under the Endangered Species Act, the Obama administration announced today. The bears are currently listed as "threatened." Washington Post and Sierra Club

Driving Debate: Some environmentalists question the green merits of the government's "cash for clunkers" program. New York Times

Coal in the Closet: A recent report reveals that EPA data on the dangers of coal-ash landfills--including a cancer link--were suppressed during the Bush administration. Charleston Gazette

Clever Power: Researchers are testing "smart" wind turbine blades equipped with sensors to monitor wind conditions. Science Daily

Still Hot: A Santa Barbara, California, fire burns for a fourth day. The fire has destroyed 75 homes and affected 3,500 acres of land so far. Reuters

--Della Watson