Farmers are watching their water use. Wall Street Journal

David Vitter threatening to fight potential Romney EPA chief. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Criminal probe eyes remarks after Gulf spill, lawyers say. Houston Chronicle

Two years after moratorium lifted, many expect Gulf oil production to soon exceed pre-spill levels. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Oklahoma dust storm shuts down portion of Interstate 35. Associated Press

Louisiana’s renewable energy program starts to pick up steam, two years after inception. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Extreme hurricanes hitting US more frequently, study says. Los Angeles Times

New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport see record temperatures this year. New Orleans Times-Picayune

BP says new oil sheen in Gulf likely came from leak in bent riser pipe. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Plan calls for shuttering part of NM power plant. Associated Press

In New Orleans, Entergy prepares for the next big one. Businessweek

Coming drought may ruin region’s forests. Santa Fe New Mexican

Marine ecologist studying the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone named MacArthur Fellow. Circle of Blue WaterNews

The casualties of Chesapeake’s land grab across America. Reuters

Corps stormproofing of Sewerage & Water Board power plant and pump stations limited by cash shortfall. New Orleans Times-Picayune

2012 drought: Pick your poison. Daily Climate

Louisiana – $42.6. million settlement is reached over tainted trailers. New York Times

Zetas gang poses daunting threat to Mexico’s shale gas output. Houston Chronicle