All Environment
FocusToxic coal ash poses persistent threat to US watersA recent spill of coal ash in North Carolina underscores the challenge of disposing hazardous substances captured from power plant stacks. Are we diverting air pollutants into our waterways?
Cleaning up US waterways: 5 success storiesMore than 40 years after passage of the Clean Water Act, US waterways still face significant challenges. However, several cleanup success stories offer hope that remediation is possible. 聽
Ukraine crisis: How Europe trumps Russia on energyDiversifying European oil and gas imports is no small task, but if Moscow鈥檚 Crimean incursion leads to a tit-for-tat escalation in energy sanctions, Russia faces a far more difficult time quickly finding new customers than Europe does finding new suppliers.
Obama sidesteps Congress to curb methane emissionsThe latest step in the White House's new Climate Action Plan is a new plan to curb methane, a far more potent trapper of heat than carbon dioxide. The plan relies heavily on cooperation with oil, gas, and dairy industries.
Obama meets with Saudi king. Could they counter Russia with oil?As President Obama meets with the Saudi king in聽Riyadh Friday, he is almost certain to discuss the Ukraine crisis and how to respond. Could the US and Saudi Arabia coordinate a release of oil that would punish Russia's energy-dominated economy?聽
Mini gold rush spurred by historic California droughtLow water levels have led to a聽mini聽gold聽rush聽in the same Sierra Nevada foothills that drew legions of fortune seekers from around the world in the mid-1800s.
Is Tesla Motors (TSLA) building a tank?No, but Tesla Motors Model S gets new armor. The automaker聽passed a federal investigation into Model S battery fires that started when road debris struck the electric cars' underbodies. Plates will be added to further protect Tesla Motors Model S battery packs.
Thorium: a safer nuclear powerIn the same month as the Three Mile Island and Fukushima nuclear disasters, China announces it is speeding up its research into so-called molten salt reactors that can run on thorium. 聽If it succeeds, it would create a cheaper, more efficient, and safer form of nuclear power that produces less nuclear waste than today's uranium-based technology.
Three Mile Island anniversary: the lesson the nuclear industry refuses to learnThirty-five years after the world's first nuclear-power scare, the nuclear industry hasn't learned the most basic lesson from Three Mile Island: Get accurate information to the public in a timely manner.聽- Why one economist pulled out of new UN climate change reportDutch economist Richard Tol said the upcoming report on climate changes is too "alarmist." Tol said the IPCC emphasized the risks of climate change far more than the opportunities to adapt.
Tornadoes in California damage homes, leave trail of debrisBetween a dozen to 20 houses suffered roof and fence damage when a聽tornado聽hit near Roseville in Placer County shortly after 6:15 p.m. Wednesday.
US produces one in ten barrels of oil worldwideOne out of ten barrels of the global oil supply now comes from the United States, according to the US Energy Information Administration.聽Most of that oil production came from the Eagle Ford and Bakken Shale plays in Texas and North Dakota, respectively.
Climate change makes salamanders shrink, scientists sayA warmer and drier climate is likely causing wild salamanders in North America to shrink, say scientists.
Ukraine crisis makes for jittery energy marketsThe standoff between Russia and the West will likely take twists and turns for some time in the future. Investors in energy may need to brace themselves for a bumpy ride.
Lake Michigan spill at BP refinery affected half-mile of lakeLake Michigan spill:聽The聽spill聽reported Monday afternoon by BP appears to have been contained by company crew members who deployed absorbent booms around the聽spill聽site.
What if Europe stopped buying Russian gas tomorrow?With plenty of natural gas in storage, and new options for buying it from other sources, Europe could go without Russian gas for the rest of the year, Grealy writes. Brussels might even benefit from going on the energy offensive by cutting off a dominant source of Russia's revenue.聽
Obama warns of energy sanctions if Russia escalates Ukraine crisisPresident Obama and European leaders warned Tuesday of broader economic sanctions on sectors like energy, finance, and arms sales should Russia escalate a delicate situation in Ukraine. Heightened warnings suggest Western leaders are more willing to counter Russia's 'natural gas weapon' with a weapon of their own.
US approves more LNG exports as Europe looks to curb Russian gasThe US Energy Department conditionally approved its seventh liquefied natural gas export terminal Monday. The authorization comes as President Obama visits Europe to discuss European energy security and the continent's response to Russia's Crimea annexation.聽
2013 was the fourth, sixth or seventh hottest year on record, say scientistsAccording to a report published by World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2013 was the sixth warmest on record. But NASA and NOAA differ in their rankings.
Galveston oil spill: Does oil boom mean more spills?Galveston oil spill released heavy sticky oil into Galveston Bay Saturday, shutting down a major shipping route and creating a large oil slick. The safety record of oil tankers has improved dramatically over recent decades. Does聽Galveston oil spill highlight risks of increased tanker traffic?
