Today’s Links: May 11, 2012

OPINION

WILL OREMUS: “Deep Space Mine”
“Last month, a group of starry-eyed billionaires—including Googlers Larry Page and Eric Schmidt and director James Cameron—told the tech world about their latest, craziest scheme. TheAvatar-esque plan: send robotic rocket ships into outer space to chase down asteroids, mount them, and mine them for precious metals. The company they’re backing is called Planetary Resources, and it aims to be prospecting for platinum on space rocks within the next few years.”

KIM ZETTER: “Few Companies Fight Patriot Act Gag Orders, FBI Admits”
“Since the Patriot Act broadly expanded the power of the government to issue National Security Letters demanding customer records, more than 200,000 have been issued to U.S. companies by the FBI. But the perpetual gag orders that accompany them are rarely challenged by the ISPs and other recipients served with such letters.”

WILLIAM TUCKER: “It Will Be Hot in Texas This Summer”
“Texas, the most energy-intensive state in the nation, could be facing a severe electrical shortage this summer. How could such a thing happen? Mainly, it’s the result of a long series of federal interventions that have finally left the state turning in circles about what to do next.”

NEWS

CONTROVERSY – Group pays drug addicts to get sterilized or receive long-term birth control, sparks criticism
“A controversial nonprofit group is seeking out drug-addicted women and paying them cold hard cash to get sterilized.”

SOLAR – California Legislature OKs Disputed Solar Power Plant in Desert
“Despite strong opposition from environmentalists, the California Assembly on Thursday approved controversial legislation that allows a solar energy developer to bypass local agencies in seeking to build a large-scale power plant in a valley that is home to desert tortoises, golden eagles and bighorn sheep.”

LEGAL – Florida Supreme Court Hears Landmark Foreclosure Suit
“The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments on Thursday in a landmark lawsuit that could undo hundreds of thousands of foreclosures and open up banks to severe financial penalties in the state where they face the bulk of their foreclosure-fraud litigation.”