Latest Articles

Alternative energy takes a hit as economy slumps, oil prices fall

The alternative-energy industry, which enjoyed a boost when oil prices skyrocketed, is seeing its fortunes change. Per-barrel oil prices have halved since July, lessening consumer demand for alternatives. And the credit crunch sure isn’t helping, as long-term funding is harder to come by for wind, solar, electric vehicles, cellulosic biofuel, and their ilk. Renewable-energy stocks […]

Van Jones talks to Grist about his NYT bestseller on the green-collar economy

By now, Van Jones is a familiar face on Grist (heck, he’s even got his own tag). David noted previously that Jones has a new book, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems, and Jones wrote about the book here earlier this month. This week, Jones’ new book made […]

Report says energy efficiency significantly boosted California’s economy

California’s energy-efficiency measures have created some 1.5 million jobs and saved residents about $56 billion in energy costs since 1972, according to a new study from the University of California at Berkeley. Overall, the study found that the state’s efficiency measures freed up billions of dollars that consumers would otherwise have spent on electricity bills […]

Bush admin moves to ease restrictions on mountaintop-removal mining

The Bush administration is about to ease restrictions on mountaintop-removal mining, making it easier — and legal — for companies to dump mine waste in streams. Since 1983, dumping mine waste within 100 feet of streams has been illegal, but many mining companies have done so anyway due to a combination of lax enforcement and […]

Hybrid production costs may drop two-thirds within 10 years

Bloomberg reports: Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and other carmakers may cut production costs for hybrid systems by 67 percent over the next decade as shipments rise and companies gain experience, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. Gasoline-electric systems on average will cost $1,919 each in 2018, compared with an estimated $5,869 this year […]

National Geographic’s inane video clips of overactive researchers

Take a look at this recent National Geographic photo of a researcher licking one of her beloved research subjects. We’ll just have to hope neither she nor her lab research equipment is carrying the Chytrid Fungus that’s wiping out the world’s amphibians. After watching that video on MSN I was curious if other National Geographic […]

A 50 percent GHG cut by 2025 will save Florida $28 billion

Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change has released its remarkable Final Report. It puts the Sunshine State on the same side of the climate issue as that other sunny coastal state ruled by a Republican (see here). The Action Team finds that an aggressive set of strategies could reduce Florida […]

Next president needs a constituency pressing for climate change action

If you listen real hard, you can hear Harry and Louise revving up their SUV, preparing to drive right over any effort to “kill economic growth” or “raise costs on the consumer” with “job-killing” carbon taxes. Green groups still have time to slit the SUV’s tires … but not much time. Barack Obama is poised […]

Obama’s ‘support’ for dirty energy contains conditional clauses that make all the difference

In part the first I made four points about political context: Obama’s no ordinary candidate — given his considerable political liabilities, he is at unique pains to appear reasonable and post-partisan and unexotic. The American people are all-of-the-above on energy — saying no to particular sources or technologies is perceived as vaguely ideological and interest-groupy. […]

Architecture 2030’s challenge targets would provide five times the energy as offshore and nuclear

Because America’s energy crisis is adversely impacting our economy and national security, it is critical to take a realistic look at the energy solutions currently being proposed by politicians, industry, and the media. Architecture 2030 in its latest E-News Bulletin illustrates that the centerpiece of America’s proposed "Bold Energy Plan," consisting of 45 new nuclear […]