All Environment
Congress puts Obama's overseas coal ban on chopping blockPresident Obama's pledge to end US support for overseas coal projects is on the chopping block, as Congress debates the future of the US Export-Import Bank. A reversal of the coal ban聽would deal a blow to the administration's Climate Action Plan.
'Sponge-like' battery: Coming to a smartphone near you?Researchers have developed a sponge-like silicon they say could be safely used to store energy in batteries. Using this silicon in smartphone batteries, for instance, could allow batteries to last 30 percent longer than traditional lithium-ion batteries.聽
Climate change solution: Scrap subsidies, fund innovationAhead of next year's Paris climate talks, it's time for a new approach to climate change that supports making clean energy cheaper than fossil fuels without subsidies, writes Matthew Stepp of the Center for Clean Energy Innovation.聽The only way to do that is with more innovation.聽
Oil prices continue slide on easing supply threatsOil prices fell again Thursday as new sources of crude come online and threats of oil disruption wane. Subsiding worries about Iraq and Libya have kept oil prices in check in recent weeks.聽
New Russian gas pipeline drives wedge through EU solidaritySouth Stream, a proposed聽pipeline聽to bring Russian natural gas to southeastern Europe, threatens to undermine Europe's solidarity forged during the Ukraine crisis. Some see the pipeline as a necessary alternate supply of gas while others say it will only give Russia more leverage over European energy.
Rolling coal: Anti-EPA drivers rig vehicles to spew black fumes'Rolling coal,' the practice of blowing thick, black plumes of smoke from tailpipes, is gaining traction as a protest against growing environmental regulation. Rolling coal drivers sometimes spend thousands of dollars modifying their vehicle.
Chinese manufacturer renews two-bladed wind turbine designTwo-bladed wind turbines aren't new to the world. But, a Chinese company is building a聽six-megawatt, two-bladed turbine that may generate as much power as the largest commercial offshore turbines.
US, China look to energy for common ground amid frictionEnergy is a rare bright spot amid otherwise tense relations between the US and China ahead of an annual summit between the two superpowers this week. US officials say climate change and clean energy offer room for collaboration with their Chinese counterparts.
Global climate change solution still possible ... but barely, says reportClimate change requires a rapid and dramatic decarbonization of the global energy supply, according to a new report. It comes as world leaders aim to learn from past failures in forging an international pact on climate change at international talks next year in Paris.- Typhoon Neoguri hits Japan, knocks out power in 100,000 homesTyphoon Neoguri knocked out power for thousands on the聽southern Japanese islands of Okinawa Tuesday. Typhoon Neoguri's torrential rain could cause more damage to Japan if聽moves across the Japanese archipelago later this week.
Floating nuclear plants: Is the future of nuclear offshore?Researchers have presented an alternative nuclear reactor 鈥� one that floats on water. Although floating nuclear reactors at sea have some benefits, there are concerns with surrounding marine life and terrorism threats in the context of a post-Fukushima world.
Japan super typhoon: Neoguri barrels toward Japanese islandsJapan super typhoon Neoguri is expected to reach Okinawa early Tuesday, and could be one of the strongest to hit Japan in decades, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Typhoon Neoguri comes on the聽tail end of Japan's summer rainy season.
Terrorists take aim at PG&E. Can it shield itself?Terrorists would like nothing better than to bring down Silicon Valley in one fell swoop. One way is to cut off its electric power. But PG&E is arming itself, too.
Study: Loss of Indonesia's pristine (and carbon-storing) forests is risingIndonesia's loss of 'primary' forests has shot past that of Brazil, which historically had the highest rate of tropical-forest shrinkage. The trend defies government efforts to prevent loss and makes it harder to curtail impacts of global warming.聽
What's causing all those earthquakes in Oklahoma?New research indicates that wastewater injection by oil and gas companies is behind the skyrocketing number of earthquakes in Oklahoma.
Obama climate plan gives boost to US offshore windThe Obama administration issued new support for offshore wind power projects this week as part of the president's Climate Action Plan. While land-based wind power has expanded in recent years, the renewable energy source has struggled to gain hold off the coasts. 聽聽
Three biggest downsides to US oil boomThe US oil boom has led a rise in oil and gas production. But, the US oil boom has also brought on several problems for local environments and economies, including possible contamination of drinking water.
New York ruling on fracking leaves shale industry wearyNow that fracking bans are left for New York cities and towns to decide, the shale industry sees the state's court ruling as a missed opportunity for energy and investment. More than 75 towns in New York already ban fracking, which may make companies hesitant to invest.
Independence Day weekend means more Americans are roadtripping, despite high gas pricesGas prices will be up 15 to 20 cents higher this Independence Day weekend compared to last year, experts predict. But, undeterred by high gas prices, 34.8 million Americans will travel by car to celebrate Independence Day 鈥� a six-year high, according to AAA.
Towns can ban fracking, New York's top court rulesBy one count, more than 100 US municipalities have passed bans or moratoriums on fracking that are similar to the ones upheld in Middlefield and Dryden, N.Y.
