Environment

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The Washington Monument was previously encased in scaffolding in 1999 during a restoration that helped prevent further damage when an earthquake hit the region in August 2011, necessitating the current repairs. (Associated Press)

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The Washington Monument was previously encased in scaffolding in 1999 during a restoration that helped prevent further damage when an earthquake hit the region in August 2011, necessitating the current repairs. (Associated Press)

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A Russian booster rocket carrying three satellites crashed in Kazakhstan on Tuesday following an emergency shutdown of the engines after launch. (Vesti 24 via Associated Press)

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Media executive Barry Diller speaks with reporters at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, on July 12, 2012. (Associated Press)

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Homes burn as the Yarnell Hill Fire approaches Glenn Ilah on Sunday, June 30, 2013, near Yarnell, Ariz. The fire started Friday and picked up momentum as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. It has forced the evacuation of residents in the Peeples Valley area and in the town of Yarnell. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)

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Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II says his Democratic opponent, Terry McAuliffe, would follow President Obama’s policies on energy issues and would approve regulations that would close coal plants. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)