All Environment
Supreme Court upholds Obama EPA rules on cross-state pollutionThe decision caps a decades-long effort by the Environmental Protection Agency to find a legally acceptable way to ensure that states are good neighbors and don't contribute to pollution problems in downwind states.
Keystone pipeline moving forward ... in Canada's eyesKeystone XL pipeline decision was delayed again in the US. But Canada's new energy minister says he's confident the controversial Keystone XL pipeline will eventually win Obama's approval.
Google's 'green' energy plan: Build, learn, expandGoogle and other top US corporations are switching to renewable energy as a way to burnish their brands. The corporate push – and government mandates – are encouraging utilities to provide that energy, although it's not a risk-free proposition.
US energy chief Moniz: Three reasons for hope on global warmingEnergy Secretary Ernest Moniz visited Boston Tuesday to commemorate Earth Day at the New England Aquarium. Before heading to Fenway Park to throw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game, he sat down with the Monitor's David J. Unger to talk about the Ukraine crisis, oil exports, methane leaks, and his optimism about tackling climate change. Here are excerpts (edited for clarity):
Why US oil exports won't solve Ukraine crisisUS crude oil exports have been offered as a way to help Ukraine and Europe wean off Russian oil as tensions rise in Ukraine. But exporting US oil would do little abroad and have a perverse impact domestically, Cobb writes, leading to greater US imports of foreign oil.
Fracking: In apparent first, family gets courtroom victory in health caseAlthough others have sued oil and gas companies over alleged injuries from fracking, most have settled in agreements that include gag orders. But in the case involving the Parr family, a jury awarded $2.95 million.
Wyoming explosion: Natural gas purification plant rockedWyoming explosion: The town of Opal, Wyoming was evacuated, but no injuries were reported in an explosion at a facility that removes impurities from natural gas and serves large numbers of customers in the West.
New study challenges old thinking about extinctions worldwideFor some time, the accepted wisdom has been that biodiversity is declining worldwide. A new study challenges that assumption and suggests a different dynamic is at work.
US energy chief on Ukraine: Don't count out its resources, US know-howThe Ukraine crisis presents the country with an opportunity to boost its domestic energy production with the help of American expertise, says US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, in a Monitor interview. US experts will support Ukraine natural gas production and energy efficiency as part of a crisis support package announced Tuesday.
5 environmental wins to celebrate Where have humans made progress on energy and the environment?
Russia ships its first Arctic oil. Is a boom coming?Russia is moving ahead with its controversial Arctic oil plans, but Russia's Arctic prize won't be as big as many think, Cunningham writes.
Ukraine deal: How energy binds Russia, EuropeDiplomats from Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and the US agreed Thursday to steps that aim to deescalate an increasingly delicate situation in eastern Ukraine. Energy interdependency has helped tamp down tensions as the sides take a step toward settling Ukraine's natural gas debt.
California gray wolf protections mulled amid hunts elsewhereCalifornia gray wolf populations haven't roamed in California for nearly a century. A commission in California postponed by three months a decision on whether to list the gray wolf as endangered so that more public comments could be heard.
How a California county produces more power than it usesA small California county has become the first in the state to produce more power from solar panels than it uses.
- California gray wolf decision delayed. Should it be protected?
California gray wolf advocates will have to wait 90 days to learn if the animal will fall under legal protections. A state board voted unanimously Wednesday to delay a decision on the California gray wolf so it can gather more public comments on the issue.
Are fracking emissions worse than we thought?Methane emissions from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) could be much higher than previously estimated, according to a new study. The results are troubling because natural gas has been trumpeted for its supposed emissions benefits when compared to coal.
Clean energy: Is a boom coming in 2014?Clean energy is off to a strong start in 2014, with global investment rising as prices for wind and solar power continue to drop. Renewables still hold a small share of total energy mixes, but clean-energy growth is picking up momentum.
Has crude oil production already peaked?The notion that oil is becoming abundant all over again is contradicted by the levitating price, Cobb writes, and by the evidence that actual worldwide crude oil production is either flat or growing at an infinitesimal rate.
Pollution in Asia tied to stronger Pacific storms that pull heat toward ArcticThe pollution comes in the form of tiny sulfate particles and black-carbon soot that result from burning coal, oil, and wood for power. The particles increase the vigor of the Pacific storms.
Mississippi storm overturns trailers near Gulf CoastMississippi storm left about a dozen damaged or destroyed RV trailers at a campground Tuesday. The Mississippi storm blew through Santa Maria RV Park, leaving two with minor injuries.
