Oil #5: Imagine A World Without Oil
Last of five episodes. We follow the Planet Money oil to a gas station. And we ask: What would our world look like if there were no fossil fuels?
Energy
Oil #3: How Fracking Changed the World
Third of five episodes. The Planet Money oil faces a test, we sell it, and we meet the man who set off the fracking boom in America.
In The Pacific Northwest, Oil Train Derailment Highlights Potential Dangers
The number of trains carrying oil along the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington could dramatically increase. There's a plan to ship more oil from the Bakken region of North Dakota to a proposed oil terminal in southwest Washington state. An oil train derailment earlier this year has shown the potential danger faced by the region.
Utility Giant PG&E Convicted of Violating Gas Pipeline Safety Laws
Prosecutors had argued that in prioritizing profits, the company neglected to adequately maintain its pipelines, leading to the deaths of eight people in an explosion in San Bruno, Calif., in 2010.
One Year After A Toxic River Spill, No Clear Plan To Clean Up Western Mines
Last August, 3 million gallons of orange wastewater flooded into Colorado's Animas River, ending up in Lake Powell. But Congress has failed to come up with a way to stop this from happening again.
Sun-Powered Airplane Completes Historic Trip Around The World
"This is not only a first in the history of aviation; it's before all a first in the history of energy," Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard says. His plane flew more than 26,700 miles without using fuel.
Experimental Plane Sets Off On Final Leg Of Its Round-The-World Journey
It's the first time for a solar-powered plane to circumnavigate the globe. Now it's en route to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — and you can watch the journey in a live video from the cockpit.
Making The Cloud Green: Tech Firms Push For Renewable Energy Sources
Few people can demand what kind of electricity they get. But Microsoft and Facebook, which operate huge, power-hungry data centers, are trying to green up the electricity grid with their buying power.
The Smoggy Seas: Cargo Ships Bring Pollution, Health Risks
Eight of the 10 busiest ports are in East Asia. A new study shows how the growing number of cargo ships are polluting the air and threatening health.
Uber But For Energy: Utility Surge Pricing Threatens Summer Cool
Power companies are rushing to keep pace with the changing energy landscape. This transition is especially contentious in the desert Southwest, where energy needs are enormous during the summer.