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Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens indicted on corruption charges, McCain cancels trip to offshore oil rig, and

Read the news items highlighted in this week’s podcast: Duck! Be a Dolly and Cancel My Trip, Will You? Are You Just Toying With Us? U.S. Geological Survey Says … Read the articles mentioned at the end of the podcast: Help Me, Honda Three Wheels Good

Pink slip

I spent eight years working for the U.S. EPA. It was a foundational experience for me -- it gave me an excellent perspective on how environmental regulation works (and doesn't work). That said, I'm really much happier now that I'm doing my own gig, and I feel that leaving the EPA was in many ways the start of my real career.

Our friends at Friends of the Earth think that EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson might also enjoy a fresh start.

States, green groups to sue EPA for not regulating plane or ship emissions

Two separate coalitions of states, environmental groups, and state and local pollution regulators announced Thursday their respective intents to sue the U.S. EPA over its failure to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from ships and planes; the group of states and pollution regulators is also suing over emissions from agricultural and construction equipment. The states, agencies, and […]

Grist talks to New Hampshire Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen

“We can’t depend just on oil,” says Democratic Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen. “I think people want choices. They understand that we’ve got to address this issue and they want some leadership to get it done.” Shaheen is taking a second shot at beating New Hampshire’s first-term Sen. John Sununu, a Republican with a mediocre record […]

NewScientist cover story looks at link between tornadoes and global warming

With a cover that makes Twister look like a heartwarming inspirational flick, the August 2 issue of NewScientist asks if global warming is to blame for the flurry of tornadoes earlier this year. Chris Mooney, author of Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics, and the Battle Over Global Warming, reports that 148 tornadoes hit the U.S. in […]

Energy efficiency, part 4

California and its utilities have achieved remarkably consistent energy efficiency gains for three decades. How did they do it?

In part, a smart California Energy Commission has promoted strong building standards and the aggressive deployment of energy-efficient technologies and strategies -- and has done so with support of both Democratic and Republican leadership over three decades. I talked to California energy commissioner Art Rosenfeld -- a former DOE colleague and the godfather of energy efficiency -- about what the state does, and here are some interesting details he offered, as discussed in "Why we never need to build another polluting power plant":

Speaking of expiring support for renewables …

Is everyone aware that there are juicy residential tax credits from Uncle Sugar set to expire on 31 Dec. 2008? Like a $2,000 credit for installing a fairly generic solar hot water system that could save you tons of money over the years (and prevent lots of carbon emissions)?

Here's a new website where you can plug in your zip code and get a report showing all the incentives available in your area.

Take a look! Don't let one of the few good parts of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 expire before you take advantage of it.

Review of climate change impact economics

Paul Krugman has a blog post about one of my favorite economists, Marty Weitzman. He has the central point right, which is that “on any sort of expected-welfare calculation, the small probability of catastrophe dominates the expected loss.” But Krugman’s general lack of understanding of global warming — and his willingness to believe anything Bjørn […]

Snippets from the news

• U.S. passes Germany as world’s top wind power producer. • U.N. turns down the AC and encourages less clothing. • McCain talks energy in Nevada. • South Africa outlines climate-change plans. • Coal shortage brings fear of China electricity crisis.

Tips for bridesmaids wanting fair-trade frocks

As if the list of bridesmaidsy duties (party-planning, dress-bustling, photo-posing, tear-wiping, etc.) isn’t long enough, finding an ethically sourced, eco-conscious, and, um, attractive frock for the occasion is no piece of (multi-tiered) cake. Today, The Guardian addresses this very dilemma: One of my dearest friends will be getting married next year and has asked me […]