All Environment
- Is the US oil boom in trouble?
Oil prices continue to drop, energy companies are taking on large amounts of debt, and some call into question rosy projections about a long-term US shale boom. Should we be concerned about the future of American oil and gas?
- Ukraine gas talks stall again. What that means for winter in Europe.
Ukraine gas talks resumed in Brussels Wednesday, with early reports indicating a deal again could not be reached to resume Russian gas flows to Ukraine. As temperatures drop, officials are increasingly concerned about a lack of the vital winter heating fuel.
- Uranium plant leak prompts investigation
Uranium plant leak Sunday in southern Illinois is being investigated by an official from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. No injuries were reported from the uranium plant leak.
- Solar electric cars: When your gas station is the sun
A growing number of electric car drivers are fueling their vehicles with the power of the sun. Rooftop solar panels can easily generate enough electricity to power an electric or plug-in gas-electric hybrid vehicle.
- Oil prices have hit their floor. Here's why.
Oil prices are dropping on high supply and low demand, and everyone is wondering how much lower can oil prices drop. The answer, writes Tillier, is not much lower.
- Oil prices: 5 reasons they keep falling Here are the five main reasons why oil prices have hit their lowest levels in years.
- BP oil spill 'bathtub ring' on Gulf floor, study says
BP oil spill 'bathtub ring' about the size of Rhode Island remains on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico according to new research. The 2010 BP oil spill spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving what researchers say resembles an oil spill 'bathtub ring' on the sea floor.
- Gas prices dropping. Where are the lowest prices?
Gas prices are dropping around the US, driven by a decrease in crude oil prices. One survey says US gas prices have dropped 18 cents per gallon in the last two weeks.
- How Vermont's largest city went 100 percent renewable electricity
The city of Burlington now gets 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, Guevara-Stone writes. It's part of Vermont's goal to produce 90 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2050, including electricity, heating, and transportation.
- Will falling gas prices kill the electric car?
Gas prices are rapidly dropping due to the slump in crude oil prices and that is bad news for electric cars. The emerging technology has come a long way in recent years, but a prolonged state of low gas prices could further slow the spread of electric cars.
- Oil prices continue slide; EU strikes a climate deal; US emissions tick up [Recharge]
Oil prices are continuing their slide on big US crude inventories and Goldman Sachs forecasting oil prices at $75 a barrel. EU leaders have agreed to new climate targets, while in the US, last year's bitter winter pushed up energy emissions. Catch up on the latest in global energy with the Monitor's Recharge.
- Brazil election: What it means for an aspiring energy superpower
Brazilians head to the polls Sunday for a runoff election to decide their next president. Regardless of who wins the vote, Brazil's new leader must immediately address the factors limiting the nation’s energy potential, writes Alexis Arthur of the Institute of the Americas.
- Midterm elections: Why environmental groups are backing Republicans
Hoping to make climate change a bipartisan issue, environmental groups are endorsing Republicans and moderate Democrats in the midterm elections. The strategy is a pragmatic shift for green groups, who have more money and clout in this election than ever before.
- Gonzalo causes over $200 million in damage to Bermuda, company says
The hurricane struck the British island chain in the Atlantic Ocean late last week, but produced no fatalities.
- Ukraine gas talks fail again. Why that's a big deal.
The coming of winter ratchets up tension surrounding Ukraine gas talks, which fell short of a deal again this week. Still, hopes remain high that a deal will be reached to pay off Ukraine's gas debts and reopen the flow of Russian supplies.
- Oil prices: Will the slide hurt the US shale boom?
Oil prices continue to fall, putting pressure on US drillers who need oil prices to remain relatively high to make production profitable. Low oil prices are already reducing the number of active drilling rigs in the US.
- Crude oil prices fall again. Buckle up for gas prices below $3.
Crude oil prices just keep falling, and gas prices are following suit. Many analysts think the downward trend in oil prices will continue, driving the average price at the pump in the US below $3.00 a gallon.
- Winter heating: US energy is booming. But can it heat your home?
An energy boom is only as useful as its ability to transport the energy to the homes, businesses, and industries that need it for heating and other purposes. Will pipeline constraints and crowded US rails make for another winter heating season of too much cold, not enough fuel?
- New biofuels recipe: iron with a pinch of palladium
Scientists have combined iron and palladium to form a new catalyst for converting biomass into fuels fit for today's gas tanks. It's part of an effort to make biofuels more energy dense, and therefore more competitive with fossil fuels.
- Oil prices make the story
There are no shortage of theories for why oil prices have suddenly collapsed. Ultimately, Cobb writes, the whole issue of oil prices is too complex and too lacking in transparency to be discussed intelligently when it comes to short-term price movements.