Latest Articles

Utility sues Kansas over landmark coal-plant rejection

Sunflower Electric Power Company has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Kansas for its landmark denial last year of an air permit the company needed to build two coal-fired power plants in the western part of the state. The permits were originally denied by an official at the state’s department of health and […]

Begich triumphs over Stevens in Alaska Senate race

After two weeks of counting, they’re finally calling the Alaska Senate race for Democrat Mark Begich. This marks the end of an 40-year Senate career for Republican Ted Stevens, who is marks his 85th birthday today. Long a thorn in the side of enviros, the loss comes after he was convicted of lying on Senate […]

Brita announces recycling program for used water filters

Brita, maker of popular water-purifying pitchers, will launch a recycling program for used water filters beginning in January. The company’s announcement comes after months of pressure from citizen activists. Consumers will be able to drop used filters off at selected Whole Foods stores or mail them in; the plastic parts will be turned into recycled […]

British lawmakers OK landmark climate bill

With lawmakers’ final approval on Tuesday, Britain has become the first country in the whole wide world to make a legally binding commitment to cut emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Mountain gorillas threatened by violence in Congo

Due to escalating violence, Congolese rangers have been run out of the country’s Virunga National Park, threatening the safety of some 200 mountain gorillas that live there. “There are documented cases of the gorillas getting caught in the crossfire and getting killed,” says a park spokesperson. “It’s the chaos of war and they are right […]

Substance-less video leaves us wondering, ‘Why bother?’

The Obama transition today released a video showing the energy and environmental policy team “at work,” focusing on former EPA administrator Carol Browner, who’s advising the transition, and Heather Zichal, who also headed up these issues for the campaign. While the video seems to offer a “behind the scenes” feel (the experts are shown sitting […]

Grist talks to Terry Tamminen about the Governors’ Climate Summit

We caught up with Terry Tamminen for a few minutes this afternoon to talk about the Governors’ Global Climate Summit, an event he played a pivotal role in organizing. Tamminen, an influential wonk who has the ear of Republicans and Democrats alike, predicted that President-elect Obama would create a high-level position in his administration to […]

Dem leaders call for $100 billion stimulus with green components

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd yesterday unveiled a $100.3 billion economic recovery package that they say will create 635,000 new jobs. The plan includes a number of green initiatives, including investments in mass transit, home weatherization, and electricity transmission improvements. “In response to higher unemployment, rising food […]

More Dingell-Waxman drama

In today’s news on the Dingell-Waxman battle for the Energy and Commerce Committee, John Dingell (D-Mich.) has rounded up the backing of several conservative-leaning conservation groups, including the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, American Rivers, and Trout Unlimited. He also has the support of many “Blue Dog” Democrats and a portion of the Congressional Black […]

A review of eco-minded feminine products, part two

  Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series on feminine products. The first column focused on sanitary pads. In a rant about her angry vagina, author Eve Ensler famously described tampons as “a dry wad of fucking cotton” — and she ain’t far from the truth. Unfortunately, she left out a key […]