Environment

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California Gov. Jerry Brown, center, responds to a question concerning aid to drought-stricken communities after touring the California Emergency Services State Operations Center in Mather, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Brown, accompanied by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, left, and Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, right, toured the facility before announcing a $687 million plan to provide immediate help to those affected by the drought throughout California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

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A staff member at the California Emergency Services State Operations Center studies the drought situation on a computer monitor at the facility in Mather, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. California Gov. Jerry Brown, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, and Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, toured the center where they announced a $687 million plan to provide immediate help to drought-stricken communities throughout California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

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California Gov. Jerry Brown, left, responds to a question concerning aid to drought-stricken communities after touring the California Emergency Services State Operations Center in Mather, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Brown, accompanied by Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, right, toured the facility then announced a $687 million plan to provide immediate help to those affected by the drought throughout California.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

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State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, left, California Gov. Jerry Brown, center, and Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, listens to a reporters question concerning aid to drought-stricken communities after touring the California Emergency Services State Operations Center in Mather, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Brown announced a $687 million plan to provide immediate help to communities hard hit by the drought throughout California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

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U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski addresses reporters during a news conference following her speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

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U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski addresses reporters during a news conference following her speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

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U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski addresses reporters during a news conference following her speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

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The Obama administration will make available billions of dollars in federal loan guarantees to support private construction efforts of new nuclear power plants. The $14 billion Vogtle nuclear plant (pictured) is being built by Southern Co. and several partners about 30 miles southeast of Augusta. (associated press photographs)