All Environment
- On thin ice: As Arctic Ocean warms, a scramble to understand its weather
Increasing summer ice melt in the Arctic Ocean could shift global weather patterns and make polar waters more navigable. But scientists say forecasting Arctic ice and weather remains a massive challenge.
- On thin ice: As Arctic Ocean warms, a scramble to understand its weather
Increasing summer ice melt in the Arctic Ocean could shift global weather patterns and make polar waters more navigable. But scientists say forecasting Arctic ice and weather remains a massive challenge.
- Apple iPhone: Could it run on solar power?
Apple has secured a new patent for an integrated touch and solar sensor panel, Kennedy writes, which could mean a solar powered Apple iPhone is on the horizon.
- Will Ernest Moniz be the next Energy secretary?
A short list of candidates for the next Energy secretary is emerging with nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz at the top. His mix of energy and political experience could be plus as Energy secretary, but some environmentalists worry he's too pro industry.
- Grid power reliability: Do we take it for granted?
Coal-based electricity is one of the least expensive, most reliable means of producing electricity, Tracey writes, and it’s a central part of the American energy portfolio.
- BP Energy Outlook: why the oil giant's forecasts are flawed
The BP Energy Outlook 2030 is not a statistical or scientific document, Cobb writes, but rather a political one. It is not a statement about the way the world is so much as about the way BP wishes it to be over the next 20 years, he adds.
- Will leak detection end the oil pipeline impasse?
Adrian Banica, founder and CEO of Synodon, a company that builds systems to detect pipeline leaks, discusses how remote sensing technology can find little pipeline leaks before they become big leaks, in an interview with OilPrice.com.
- Keystone XL pipeline action coming in 'near term,' says Kerry
Keystone XL pipeline, a flashpoint in the debate over climate change, will receive a "fair and transparent" review from the US State Department, secretary of State John Kerry said Friday. Kerry said he hopes to make an announcement about the Keystone XL pipeline in the 'near term.'
- Pirates want your oil and they are smart enough to get it
Increased security has forced pirates to rethink their strategy for obtaining oil, Alic writes, and they have repeatedly demonstrated that they are capable of moving with the times.
- Super Bowl outage: Is US ready to address reliability?
Super Bowl 2013's power outage was caused by a faulty relay, utility says. If an outage can occur at the Super Bowl, in front of the nation's largest TV audience, can it happen anywhere?
- Two Great Lakes hit record low levels: Climate crisis or natural cycle?
Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are at their lowest levels since record keeping began a century ago, but experts say it's too soon to tell exactly what combination of issues is causing the drop.
- Why energy investors should not give up on Egypt
Egypt may be a hydrocarbon importer struggling to meet its domestic energy demand, Alic writes, but in terms of oil, Egypt is believed to have significant untapped potential.
- Gas prices surge as economy shows growth
Gas prices soared last week on signs of economic health. The annual transition to summer-blend gasoline also contributed to the largest one-week increase in average US gas prices since February 2011.
- Lucy Lawless fined $547 for trespassing on Arctic oil drilling ship
Lucy Lawless and seven other Greenpeace activists were each ordered to pay US$547 in costs to a port company and complete 120 hours of community service. Lucy Lawless, called the relatively light sentence a 'great victory.'
- New England blizzard: One for the record books?
New England blizzard: Forecasters are predicting more than 2 feet of snow in New England, and blizzard conditions, including high winds, blowing snow, and coastal flooding.
- USPS ends Saturday letter delivery. How much fuel will it save?
USPS owns and operates the world's largest civilian vehicle fleet, paying $1 billion a year for fuel. Ending Saturday letter delivery will help cut those costs, but the savings for the USPS are less than you might expect.
- Could a 'smart grid' have prevented the Super Bowl blackout?
Smart grid technology would have either prevented the Super Bowl blackout, or isolated the fault and reapplied the electricity in a much shorter time frame, Burgess writes.
- Canada considers oil spill legislation. Repercussions for Keystone XL?
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet is reportedly considering offshore oil and pipeline legislation that would appease environmentalists, Alic writes. While environmentalists focus on the new pipelines like Keystone XL, Alic adds, the real threat is the older pipelines.
- Boeing 787 batteries: What's causing their 'thermal runaways?'
The Boeing 787 batteries may have overheated due to a structural flaw that prevented adequate ventilation. The ongoing investigation could keep the Boeing 787 grounded for weeks or months.
- Energy innovation: views on the future
Stepp summarizes the major themes from a conference dedicated to discussing the possibility of developing and deploying all of the cheap, high-performing zero-carbon technologies necessary to meet 40 terawatts of projected global demand by mid-century.