Coal

Natural Gas Is the New Top Dog in U.S. Energy Production

A new report puts natural gas ahead of coal in the U.S. energy production portfolio.

July 14, 2015 - Associated Press via Chicago Tribune

Should Electric Vehicles Be Taxed or Subsidized?

The answer depends on location, according to previous studies on EVs. The study from NBER evaluated both gas and electric-powered vehicles to determine their effect on the environment. A surprising recommendation is a new road funding option.

July 1, 2015 - CityLab

Report: Carbon Rule Would Double Shutdowns of Coal Plants

The federal Energy Information Administration predicts the effects of the Obama Administration's new rules for carbon emissions at coal plants—it doesn’t look good for the coal industry.

May 24, 2015 - The Hill

Report: the American Economy is Running Cleaner and Greener

Tim McDonnell shares news of a recent report outlining how Americans are using energy that offers climate change activists plenty of encouraging information.

February 12, 2015 - Mother Jones

China Bans the Use of Coal Around Cities

In this Sunday Review editorial, The New York Times applauds China's announcement that it will ban coal burning in the Beijing region by 2020, but warns that some solutions to air pollution will exacerbate climate change.

August 26, 2014 - The New York Times

U.S. Coal Exports to Europe Breaking Records

If President Obama is waging a "war on coal," as his critics claim, then Europe must be enjoying a love affair with America's high-carbon fossil fuel, and the most polluting variety at that. How could the world's greenest continent turn so brown?

May 8, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

Decisive Supreme Court Win for Clean Air and Public Health

In a huge and perhaps unexpected win for the EPA, the Supreme Court on April 29 reversed an appellate court panel ruling that had rejected their attempt to regulate interstate air pollution caused by about 1,000 coal-fired power plants in 28 states.

May 1, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Politics and Policy

Coal Power Plants Dealt Blow by Appeals Court Ruling

The nation's first standards requiring power plants to reduce hazardous emissions, including the neurotoxin mercury, a coal-burning by-product, was upheld by a federal appeals court in a major win for public health, the EPA, and President Obama.

April 18, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Politics and Policy

The Political Foundation Behind America's Worst Tap Water Contamination

NPR host Linda Wertheimer interviews Evan Osnos about his current New Yorker piece on the Jan. chemical spill into W. Va.'s Elk River. His focus is less on the spill and more on the influence of Big Coal in government and how it contributed to it.

April 4, 2014 - NPR Morning Edition

N.C. Coal Ash Spill Sheds Light On Role Played by EPA

The federal investigation of Duke Energy's Feb. 2 coal ash spill sheds light not only on the company and its state regulator, but also on that of the Environmental Protection Agency and holds wider implications for the coal industry as a whole.

March 23, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S.

Record Fine for Coal Company

The largest ever fine for polluting waterways, $27.5 million plus $200 million in clean-up costs was assigned to a coal company. NewsHour co-anchor Gwen Ifill interviews Dina Cappiello of The Associated Press to discuss water pollution from coal.

March 8, 2014 - PBS NewsHour

No Break from Water Pollution for West Virginia

Still reeling from a major chemical spill on Jan. 9 that contaminated the drinking water supply for 300,000 residents, word comes of a significant coal slurry spill. Unlike the earlier spill, the water supply is said not to be threatened.

February 13, 2014 - The Charleston Gazette

U.S. Carbon Emissions Creep Back Up

After years of declining carbon-dioxide emissions in the U.S., and growing hope in the country's ability to meet President Obama's emission reduction targets, preliminary data indicates emissions from energy sources increased 2% last year

January 14, 2014 - The Washington Post

Chemical Spill Fouls West Virginia Water, Federal Emergency Declared

Three hundred thousand residents in nine counties in W.Va, including the state capital have gone without tap water since Thursday due to a massive chemical spill into the Elk River. All uses except flushing are off-limits. How much longer is unknown.

January 13, 2014 - The New York Times

Synthetic Natural Gas will be China's (and the World's) Climate Nightmare

China's drive to reduce urban air pollution and increase energy security will unleash massive carbon and toxic emissions, almost tripling its current emissions over 40 years. The plan is to build 40 plants to convert coal to synthetic natural gas.

September 27, 2013 - Quartz

What Grade Would You Give Obama's Climate Action Plan?

Two very different grades are assigned, one from David Hawkins, Director of Climate Programs at NRDC; the other from a college senior working on a fossil fuel divestment campaign. Michael Brune of the Sierra Club differs with Hawkins on natural gas.

July 1, 2013 - Living on Earth

As Natural Gas Prices Rise, Utilities Turn Toward Coal

An Ohio utility is switching to coal due to the rising price of natural gas, illustrating how sensitive fuel prices are to utilities. However, when it comes to building new plants - natural gas has the advantage due to coal's higher capital costs.

April 26, 2013 - The Columbus Dispatch

Los Angeles Kicks Coal to the Curb

This week, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio announced that the city will wean itself completely from using coal as an energy source by 2025, when it will become "the largest municipal utility in the country to be coal free."

March 21, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

How the U.S. Became an Unlikely Leader in Reducing Carbon Emissions

Emissions of CO2 in the U.S. have fallen almost 13 percent since 2007 - "perhaps the biggest decline among industrial countries." Rather than the result of an enlightened policy shift, the drop has resulted from market forces, says Eduardo Porter.

March 20, 2013 - The New York Times

District of Columbia Challenges Feds on Climate Action

The District of Columbia is challenging the federal government on climate action, with lawmakers proposing to outlaw a local coal-burning power plant that powers Congress.

February 7, 2013 - The Washington Post

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