Articles by Grist staff

The Toyota Prius sounds great, but why is it so hard to get one?

My 14-year-old car is on its last legs. I desperately need a replacement, and as an environmentalist, I want the cleanest and (especially with escalating gasoline prices) the most fuel-efficient vehicle available. Have you seen this car? Toyota has a new product that I regard as fitting the bill, a four-door, five-passenger, part electric, part […]

Slurry With the Dinge on Top

A huge spill of coal slurry into streams in eastern Kentucky has caused water shortages and school closings and prompted Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton (D) to declare a state of emergency in 10 counties. About 250 million gallons of coal waste with the consistency of wet cement have spilled out of a retention pond at […]

Poll Bearers

Sixty-three percent of likely American voters say they favor government action that would force automakers to improve the gas mileage of SUVs, according to a Christian Science Monitor poll. Fifty-seven percent say they would pay an extra $1,000 for a vehicle with greater fuel efficiency. Enviros might be pleased by these responses, but are likely […]

Fairy, Fairy, Quite Contrary

In a decision that could curb sprawl and development in Southern California, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced yesterday that it is designating more than 500,000 acres as critical habitat for two species — the threatened gnatcatcher bird and the endangered fairy shrimp. The move will affect and add costs to the plans of […]