Energy

Fueled by low gas prices and a stronger economy, Americans drove a record 3.15 trillion vehicle miles in 2015. But the additional driving may lead to more pollution and traffic gridlock.

Cheap Gas Means More Driving And Getting Stuck In Traffic

1:45pm February 23, 2016

by David Schaper

New federal numbers show that amid falling gas prices, Americans drove a record 3.15 trillion vehicle miles last year. This also means more pollution and traffic gridlock.

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Residents Return Home After Workers Cap Leaking Gas Well In Los Angeles

6:00pm February 19, 2016

by Kirk Siegler

Residents are returning to the Los Angeles community of Porter Ranch now that the leaking natural gas well there has been capped.

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A crew works in early February to stop the flow of gas from the leaking gas well at the Aliso Canyon storage facility.

Science

Leaking Natural Gas Well In California Is Permanently Sealed

3:21pm February 18, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

After spewing methane into the atmosphere for months, a storage well near Porter Ranch, Los Angeles, has been permanently sealed and taken out of service, state officials and the gas utility say.

From The Ashes Of Some Coal Plants, New Energy Rises

3:32pm February 17, 2016

by Jeff Brady

For decades, coal was king of electricity generation in the U.S., but that's changing. Across the country, coal power plants are being replaced with generators that run on cleaner burning natural gas.

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Crude Oil Thefts Rise In Texas As Low Prices Force Job Cuts

6:49am February 17, 2016

by Mose Buchele

Oil prices continue to hover near lows not seen in years. It might be surprising then to learn that the theft of oil is up. Oil companies in Texas are lobbying for higher penalties against thieves.

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Major Producers Work On Agreement To Freeze Oil Production

4:26pm February 16, 2016

by John Ydstie

The price of oil is up on news that four major producers are talking about freezing production at January levels. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela and Qatar want to limit production to see if they can put a floor under oil prices and maybe move them up. But they will need cooperation from Iran and Iraq, which will be hard to achieve.

Infrared footage shows the Porter Ranch natural gas leak in the last minutes before it was temporarily capped Thursday.

WATCH: Massive Gas Leak At Porter Ranch Slows To A Stop

10:25am February 13, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The California Air Resources Board was recording with an infrared camera as the methane leak on the outskirts of LA was finally controlled Thursday. The leak still needs to be permanently capped.

Massive Gas Leak In Los Angeles Temporarily Plugged After Nearly 4 Months

6:41pm February 12, 2016

by Nathan Rott

Crews are working to permanently plug the methane gas leak that has forced hundreds from their homes in the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles. Southern California Gas Company says the leak was temporarily fixed Thursday, after nearly four months of spewing methane into the air.

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North Dakota Residents Weather Downturn In Commodity Prices

5:28pm February 11, 2016

by Emily Guerin

North Dakota's fortunes have taken an abrupt turn for the worse. The state was recently a destination for thousands of people seeking a better life and high paying jobs in the Bakken oil field. But oil prices have fallen nearly 70 percent, along with agriculture prices. NPR reports on how residents are handling the sudden downturn.

Saudi Arabia Turns To Plan B As Low Oil Prices Rattle Economy

4:40pm February 11, 2016

by Stacey Vanek Smith

Planet Money tries to find out how low oil prices will change Saudi Arabia economically and culturally.