All Environment
Scientists: 'Fracking' should be part of assessing earthquake hazardsResearchers are now including waste-water injection 鈥� including the 鈥榝racking鈥� used in oil and gas development 鈥� to estimate earthquake hazards. The central and eastern US have seen a steep increase in earthquakes.
Rancho Cucamonga fire grows to 800 acresRancho Cucamonga fire forced the evacuation of 1,100 homes near聽the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles in Southern California. Strong winds helped the聽Rancho Cucamonga fire spread to reach 800 acres Wednesday.
Oil train fire: Tankers derail, catch fire in Lynchburg, Va.Oil train fire started after several tanker cars carrying crude oil derailed in downtown Lynchburg, Va. The oil train fire caused the evacuation of nearby buildings but no injuries have been reported, according to Lynchburg officials.
Ukraine crisis: How Spain could ease Europe's energy woesThe Ukraine crisis has spurred new interest in Europe finding alternatives to Russian natural gas imports. Spain is not exactly an energy powerhouse, but it could serve as a conduit to the rest of Europe for supplies of non-Russian natural gas.聽
Half of Americans living in areas with polluted air, report findsMore than 147 million live in counties where levels of ozone or particle pollutions exceed safe limits, reports the American Lung Association.聽
Gas prices: What's keeping them from rising even higher?Gas prices are high in the US, but they could be even higher if it weren't for a boom in US oil production, according to AAA. US drivers are frustrated by the high gas prices, but they probably shouldn't expect a return to the days of cheap gas.聽
Supreme Court OKs EPA pollution rules: another blow for coalThe Supreme Court upheld a federal regulation Tuesday that limits the amount of air pollution that can cross state lines, handing a victory to the Obama administration's efforts to limit air pollution. The Supreme Court ruling deals a blow to the US coal industry, but the biggest hit is yet to come.
EU, US sanctions on Russia: Big Oil stands with Moscow 鈥� for nowNew Western sanctions on Russia over Ukraine early this week did little to deter the world's leading energy firms from moving ahead with major oil and gas projects in Russia. That could change as Washington and Brussels mull broader sanctions on Russia's energy industry.
Supreme Court upholds Obama EPA rules on cross-state pollutionThe decision caps a decades-long effort by the Environmental Protection Agency to find a legally acceptable way to ensure that states are good neighbors and don't contribute to pollution problems in downwind states.
Keystone pipeline moving forward ... in Canada's eyesKeystone XL pipeline decision was delayed again in the US. But Canada's new energy minister says he's confident the controversial Keystone XL pipeline will eventually win Obama's approval.
Google's 'green' energy plan: Build, learn, expandGoogle and other top US corporations are switching to renewable energy as a way to burnish their brands. The corporate push 鈥� and government mandates 鈥� are encouraging utilities to provide that energy, although it's not a risk-free proposition.
US energy chief Moniz: Three reasons for hope on global warmingEnergy Secretary Ernest Moniz visited Boston Tuesday to commemorate Earth Day at the New England Aquarium. Before heading to Fenway Park to throw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game, he sat down with the Monitor's David J. Unger to talk about the Ukraine crisis, oil exports, methane leaks, and his optimism about tackling climate change. Here are excerpts (edited for clarity):聽
Why US oil exports won't solve Ukraine crisisUS crude oil exports have been offered as a way to help Ukraine and Europe wean off Russian oil as tensions rise in Ukraine. But exporting US oil would do little abroad and have a perverse impact domestically, Cobb writes, leading to greater US imports of foreign oil.
Fracking: In apparent first, family gets courtroom victory in health caseAlthough others have sued oil and gas companies over alleged injuries from fracking, most have settled in agreements that include gag orders. But in the case involving the Parr family, a jury awarded $2.95 million.
Wyoming explosion: Natural gas purification plant rockedWyoming explosion: The town of Opal, Wyoming was evacuated, but no injuries were reported in an explosion at a facility that removes impurities from natural gas and serves large numbers of customers in the West.
New study challenges old thinking about extinctions worldwideFor some time, the accepted wisdom has been that biodiversity is declining worldwide. A new study challenges that assumption and suggests a different dynamic is at work.
US energy chief on Ukraine: Don't count out its resources, US know-howThe Ukraine crisis presents the country with an opportunity to boost its domestic energy production with the help of American expertise, says US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, in a Monitor interview. US experts will support Ukraine natural gas production and energy efficiency as part of a crisis support package announced Tuesday.聽
5 environmental wins to celebrate Where have humans made progress on energy and the environment?
Russia ships its first Arctic oil. Is a boom coming?Russia is moving ahead with its controversial Arctic oil plans, but Russia's Arctic prize won't be as big as many think, Cunningham writes.聽
Ukraine deal: How energy binds Russia, EuropeDiplomats from Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and the US agreed Thursday to steps that aim to deescalate an increasingly delicate situation in eastern Ukraine. Energy interdependency has helped tamp down tensions as the sides take a step toward settling Ukraine's natural gas debt.
