Latest Articles

Advocates push for return to 55-mph speed limit

Platform shoes and high-waisted pants came back into fashion — could the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit be the next ’70s trend to reemerge? Advocates point to potential money and fuel savings, noting that fuel efficiency drops significantly above 60 mph. The Drive 55 campaign calculates that taking a daily 30-mile trip at 55 mph instead of […]

The argument for action on climate change

Jim Manzi summarizes his case against action on global warming on the Cato website. Cato also published responses from Joe Romm and Indur Goklany; a response is pending from Shellenberger & Nordhaus. On American Prospect, Ryan Avent also weighs in, saying that Manzi’s argument is the "most sophisticated argument against comprehensive carbon regulation that you’ll […]

N.Y. wind rush brings corruption complaints, divides rural communities

Lured by generous state subsidies, the wind industry is having its day in the sun breeze in upstate New York. But the scramble for turbine-friendly land has led to complaints of corruption and caused schisms in rural communities. At least two wind companies are being investigated for shady dealings, and evidence of possible improper influence […]

Energy in the Democratic platform

Here’s a selection from the Democratic platform (PDF), final draft released Friday. What do you think? — New American Energy In the local platform hearings, Americans talked about the importance of energy to the economy, to national security and to the health of our planet. Speaking loud and clear, they said that America needs a […]

Common chemical in food containers not a health threat, says FDA

Food containers made with common chemical bisphenol A pose no health threat, according to a draft assessment by the Food and Drug Administration. More than 100 government- and university-funded studies have linked BPA to cancer, diabetes, behavioral disorders, and reproductive problems, and an April report from the National Toxicology Program declared there was “some concern” […]

John McCain, who has missed several crucial energy votes, says he hasn’t

This is McCain interviewing Walter Isaacson at the Aspen Institute: "I have not missed any crucial vote." Says Satyam at ThinkProgress: McCain’s has actually missed several "crucial" energy votes. In July alone, he missed every single energy vote brought to the floor. This session, McCain has skipped votes supporting renewable energy tax credits four times, […]

EarthJustice challenges the legality of the draft plan for California’s AB 32

EarthJustice is challenging the legality of the draft release of California’s climate change program, AB 32. They say it fails to follow all of the statutory requirements. Specifically: This letter focuses on three primary deficiencies in the Draft Scoping Plan: first, the Draft Scoping Plan uses the 2020 greenhouse gas emission limit as a ceiling […]

Department of Energy flushes $15 million down the hydrogen toilet

There are only three sure things in life — death, taxes, and you won’t be buying a hydrogen fuel cell car. Sadly, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has not gotten any of the memos (see “Some clarity on the Clarity” and “This just in: Hydrogen fuel cell cars […]

Cuckoo bananas energy policy from House conservatives

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) personifies just how haywire House conservatives have gone lately, particularly on energy issues. She quickly made a name for herself after being elected to Congress in 2006. In fact, she gained some dubious notoriety even before being elected, announcing to a Brooklyn Park, Minnesota congregation in October 2006 that "God then […]

The electric sector’s price inversion

There is a phenomenon known in financial markets as an “inverted yield curve.” Like a stray elephant in Central Park, it is a reliable indicator that something odd is going on. It seldom lasts long, as markets quickly note and adjust to the weirdness. Prices in current electric markets are similarly inverted, especially in the […]