Daily Roundup: February 22, 2011

Pressing Issue: A disturbing number of the nation’s dams are considered at risk of failure, leaving those who live near them thinking about higher ground. New York Times

Carbonated Fuel? Oklahoma State University students hit on a method for turning soda into ethanol. No word yet on whether diet soda yields worse gas mileage. Grist

Aerial Surveillance: Tomorrow, NASA launches the newest addition to a fleet of satellites intended to monitor climate change. This one will focus on aerosols, most of which result from forest fires, volcanoes, and other natural activities. Huffington Post

Freaky Foods: Since 1996, nearly 4 million square miles have been planted with genetically modified crops, according to new statistics. About half of those have been in the U.S. TreeHugger

No Reason Not To: Some solar-panel companies let customers lease panels rather than buy. In states with the right incentives (California, Massachusetts, and others), the combined cost of the lease and electric bills is less than electric bills alone without the panels. NPR

--Tim McDonnell