All Environment
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.
With North Dakota oil boom comes concern over spillsNorth Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple wants to expand his state's oil pipeline capacity, after the state's oil production reached the 1 million barrels per day mark. But, many worry about the potential environmental consequences such as oil spills.
How some Native Americans are embracing renewable energyFourteen percent of households on Native American reservations live without electricity. But several Native American reservations are now using renewable energy technology to access electricity and much needed income.
NASA satellite could answer nagging global warming questionsLaunching Tuesday, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, Version 2.0, is designed to monitor changes to carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and could shed light on global warming processes.
North Dakota, Texas top US oil output, but other states are gaining steamAlthough North Dakota, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico are known for producing much of the US's oil, other states are becoming bigger producers. Alaska and California are two states that are gaining footing in the oil industry.
NASA to launch replacement global warming satelliteFive years after losing its first satellite designed to measure carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, NASA is finally launching a replacement.
Can Guatemala revive Lake Atitlán before it's choked by trash?Ringed by verdant volcanoes and little villages, Atitlán has been called the most beautiful lake in the world. But the lake is slowly dying from pollution.
Mysterious creature roaming the Bronx is...a type of weaselA mysterious long-haired critter that's been sighted on the streets of a Bronx neighborhood for several months is a member of the weasel family called a fisher or fisher cat. The mysterious Bronx creature preys on rats and squirrels, but is not a threat to humans.
How tofu salt could make solar power cheaper and saferResearchers found that magnesium chloride, a salt used to make tofu and de-ice winter roads, can be used to make thin-film solar cells effective, cheap, and nontoxic.
1 in 10 beach water samples is contaminated, report findsIn the long term, cleaning up water that ends up at American beaches depends on addressing the problem of stormwater runoff.
Saudi Arabia, Russia, US produced most oil in 2013, BP report saysSaudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States were the top oil producers in 2013, according to BP's latest report. At the same time, the US was also the biggest consumer of oil in the world, with China as the second-biggest oil consumer.
Oil export ban 101: Why does US have it? Why is it now easing?Since 1975, Congress has sought to keep domestic crude oil at home, for use by American consumers. Signs are afoot that the Obama administration is ready to ease the ban and let some oil be exported. Here are the basics.
Is US oil production becoming a potential foreign policy tool?Some energy analysts may suggest the US is becoming an important source of energy supply for the world. But, the US's oil supply may not translate as a foreign policy tool, writes Daniel J. Graeber.
Kansas pipeline eruption leaves worrisome oily residue across OlpeKansas pipeline eruption: A plume of dark, oily substance erupted from a gas pipeline on Thursday. Plants and trees coated by the gas product have begun to wither or die.
Global warming to disrupt US economy by mid-century, report findsCosts of economic disruption from global warming are likely to total hundreds of billions of dollars by 2050, a new risk assessment finds. The bipartisan report tallies losses to four sectors of the US economy.
Japan considers restarting nuclear reactors. Could it hurt US liquefied natural gas suppliers?New US liquefied natural gas (LNG) suppliers are seeing a shrinking window of opportunity as new supplies come online and Japan considers restarting some of its nuclear reactors. What does this mean for new LNG suppliers and the difference in natural gas pricing in North America and Asia?
El Niño 2014: What it is, when it's coming, and what to expect El Niño is stirring in the Pacific, although forecasters aren't ready to pronouncing it awake just yet.It's warming effect on Earth's climate can lower winter heating bills in some regions and reduce the formation and growth of Atlantic hurricanes. But it also alters rainfall patterns in ways that increase the risk of floods in some areas and drought in others.Here’s a look at what to expect this time:
Russia to Ukraine: Pay off gas debt to resume negotiationsAfter Russia cut off gas for Ukraine, Russia says it won't negotiate with Ukraine until the country pays off its gas debt. Ukraine’s parliament is considering legislation that would allow its gas transit and storage facilities to be leased as joint ventures with the US or EU member countries.
FocusGlobal warming: Can post-Kyoto climate pact work by taking a different tack?Previous agreements to restrict greenhouse-gas emissions, including Kyoto, have largely failed. To curb global warming, negotiators are hoping countries will design and enforce their own cuts.
Colorado oil spill dumps 7,500 gallons in Poudre RiverColorado oil spill hits downstream vegetation but not drinking water, officials say. The Colorado oil spill was caused by floodwaters damaging a storage tank.
