All Environment
- Cities that depend on snowmelt for water could face problems, study suggests
A new study finds that when more precipitation falls as rain instead of snow, stream flows in drainage basins decline. This could complicate matters for areas that need snowmelt for water.
- Why aren't more Americans driving natural gas cars?
The US in in the middle of a natural gas boom, and yet cars that run on the fossil fuel have yet to really catch on. The problem with natural gas vehicles is really a chicken-and-egg problem, Cunningham writes.
- Climate change lawsuits filed against some 200 US communities
Climate change lawsuits: Farmers Insurance filed class action lawsuit last month against nearly 200 communities in the Chicago area for failing to prepare for flooding. The suits argue towns should have known climate change would produce more flooding.
- Russian economy may falter if Ukraine crisis continues
Russian energy companies begin to feel pinch as the Ukraine crisis continues and Western nations consider sanctions against Russian energy. If Ukraine's turmoil continues, the Russian economy could lose $115 billion in revenues in 2015.
- Earthquakes: Could farming in the San Joaquin 'un-clamp' the San Andreas?
Pumping groundwater from beneath the San Joaquin Valley has lifted billions of tons of weight off the Earth's crust there, potentially easing stresses that keep the San Andreas from slipping, a study suggests.
- Gazprom says risk of gas transport through Ukraine is 'insignificant'
Russia's Gazprom says there isn't significant risk of disruption of gas to Europe because the Russian gas giant expects to have low seasonal demand. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller announced that Ukraine would no longer receive more gas starting in June unless it will pay for deliveries in advance.
- Falling US oil imports raise questions about oil exports
US crude oil imports are down by 23 percent since 2008. Industry officials and experts are considering lifting a decades-old ban on US oil exports.
- Turkey coal mine explosion: Rush for energy undermines safety
A Turkey coal mine explosion Tuesday lies at the intersection of the country’s soaring energy demand and lax mining safety rules. Coal mine safety has improved dramatically in the US and parts of Europe, but it remains a very risky enterprise in economies eager for the cheap form of fuel.
- US fuel stockpiles: in need of a update?
US Department of Energy announced the establishment of a gasoline stockpile to serve the Northeast, in light of superstorm Sandy. But the move only copies a similar effort from the Clinton era, instead of revamping the current US Strategic Petroleum Reserve system, Styles writes.
- Latest oil train derailment adds pressure for stronger US action
An oil train derailed near Denver, two days after the Department of Transportation announced an emergency order on transporting crude oil by rail. However, some critics say that they are not satisfied with the department's slow pace.
- West Antarctic glacier loss: 'We have passed the point of no return'
Two studies released Monday signal that five glaciers in West Antarctica are undergoing irreversible decline over the next several hundred years, signaling sea level-rise of nearly four feet.
- Gazprom cuts gas price for Lithuania amid new LNG supplies
Lithuania has successfully negotiated down the price it pays Gazprom for Russian natural gas through 2015. The cheaper natural gas comes as Lithuania aggressively pursues global suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
- IEA: Clean energy shift will save world $71 trillion through 2050
A global transition to clean energy would cost $44 trillion but save $115 trillion in avoided fuel costs, according to a new report. Such benefits would be spread out over the course of decades. A broad shift to clean energy will require more holistic, long-term approaches to policy and financing.
- Hawaii confronts 'green' energy's bugaboo: batteries
Hawaii and California utilities are moving to add storage on their grids to accommodate 'green' energy and better match energy production and consumption. But storage is still expensive.
- Colorado derailment: Six crude oil tankers jump track
Colorado derailment was relatively small: Only one tanker leaked. But one Colorado report on the derailment said that the leaking tanker carried 28,000 gallons of oil. The Union Pacific Railroad said only 6,500 gallons of oil had leaked.
- China, Vietnam at odds over oil in South China Sea
Tensions between China and Vietnam over oil in the South China Sea continue to escalate. The two sides are fighting over control of the Paracel Islands, Cunningham writes, but the problem is that China’s claim to territory in the South China Sea has no basis in international law.
- Obama gives White House solar panels (another) moment in the sun
White House solar panels are back at the First Family's residence, the Obama administration announced Friday. The White House solar panels cap off the Obama administration's week of energy and climate change initiatives, aimed at raising public awareness of the threats posed by carbon emissions.
- EIA: Gulf oil set for a comeback
Much of the US oil boom story has been about the inland shale basins in Texas and North Dakota, but the Gulf of Mexico is showing renewed promise as more platforms come online.
- Keystone XL: Will Obama use the NAFTA option?
If President Obama fails to approve the Keystone XL pipeline soon or rejects it outright, the Canadians may challenge the delay or rejection under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Cobb writes. This move opens up a politically attractive option on Keystone XL.
- US climate change report: What lies ahead for your region? The 2014 US National Climate Assessment takes stock of human-triggered climate change thus far – and looks ahead to what may be coming later this century. Effects vary widely region to region. Check out what the report says about yours.