All Environment
For clean energy, think small (nano small)Inexpensive nanotubes 鈥� sheets of carbon rolled into pipes thinner than a human hair 鈥� may be the key to making hydrogen fuel cleaner and less expensive. A new study shows how nanotubes could bring clean energy technologies closer within reach.
Push to export US oil gets staunch ally in CongressWith US energy production booming, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska is leading the charge to overturn a decades-old ban on US crude oil exports. Murkowski met with the Obama administration this week to discuss oil condensate exports and the prospect of further loosening the oil export ban.
Google searches for natural gas leaks, finds a lot of themGoogle is teaming up with an environmental group to map methane leaks from natural gas pipelines in US cities. Methane contributes to global warming, and Google hopes its new maps will encourage utilities to patch and replace old pipelines.
In Latin America, Putin wheels, deals on energyRussian President Vladimir Putin has signed several energy deals in Latin America as he visits the region this week. Will it hurt the US's energy influence, or is Putin just focused on expanding Russia's economic relationships?
Texas town rejects partial fracking banA North Texas city voted down a petition that would have made it the first city in the state to ban further permitting of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a controversial technique used to extract oil and gas.聽
Rare forest in Florida sold to make way for WalmartRare forest sold by the University of Miami to developer who plans a Walmart, an LA Fitness Center, a Chik-fil-A and Chili's restaurants, and apartments. Nearly half the rare forest will be kept as a preserve, which is habitat to plants, animals, and insects found nowhere else.
What's slowing the spread of a North Dakota pipeline spill? Beaver dams.Beaver dams have so far prevented about 1 million gallons of fracking wastewater discovered spilled July 8聽from a rural North Dakota pipeline from spreading too far. But, many North Dakota residents and experts are calling for more regulations and reliable measures.
Europe at TTIP talks: Open the US energy spigotEuropean officials are using transatlantic trade talks to push for access to the US shale oil and gas boom, largely off-limits due to decades-old trade restrictions on US energy exports. Environmental groups and consumer advocates oppose lifting the ban on concerns it will raise domestic energy prices and contribute to climate change. 聽
Fracking FAQ: What's the link between injection wells and earthquakes?States with abundant fracking (hydraulic fracturing) have seen a surge in seismic activity, raising suspicions that fracking and its wastewater injection wells could be to blame.
US electricity prices are rising. Thank the 'polar vortex.'US ratepayers will pay 3 percent more for electricity this year 鈥� the biggest increase since 2008, according to US government projections. The higher prices come after a harsh winter that strained the Northeast's grid and boosted natural gas demand.
How long will world's oil reserves last? 53 years, says BPThe world has 53.3 years left to find an alternative to oil before current proved reserves run dry, according to BP. Of course, nations are finding new oil 鈥� meaning that number is rising 鈥� but new extraction methods are costly and can pose environmental threats.
Melting Arctic opens new routes for energy shippingTwo companies are looking into shipping liquefied natural gas through the Arctic Ocean. What environmental and economic effects would an Arctic Ocean shipping route have?
Bill Cosby supports march against Massachusetts pipelineBill Cosby and his wife call it 'astounding' that all six New England governors support the natural gas pipeline. Kinder Morgan told Bill Cosby it plans to survey his Massachusetts land for the pipeline.
After seeing tweet, Elon Musk donates $1 million to Tesla museumElon Musk, father of the Tesla electric car, honors the Tesla who revolutionized electric power transmission. His donation will help create a science center showcasing Nikola Tesla's many inventions.
Putin pledges to help revive Cuba's offshore oil explorationSaying Russia would provide support to overcome the 'illegal blockade of Cuba,' Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday, he would help revive Cuba's offshore oil exploration, and would reinvest $3.5 billion of Cuban debt into development projects.
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.