Energy

When Dawn Gioia first received a request to lease mineral rights under her home, in a downtown neighborhood in Brighton, Colo., she thought it was a scam.

Residents Worry Urban Drilling Will Turn Downtowns Into Oil Towns

3:18pm September 04, 2014

by Lesley McClurg

Drilling for oil and gas in rural and suburban areas isn't new. But energy extraction companies are now moving into more densely populated areas, raising a new set of concerns for city residents.

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Bob Thomas fills up his pickup truck at the municipal-run gas station in Somerset, Ky. There are no candy bars, 44-ounce soft drinks or lottery tickets sold. The price of gas here is $3.36 a gallon, about 20 cents lower than the statewide average.

City-Run Gas Station Makes Waves In Southeastern Kentucky

7:41pm August 19, 2014

by Emil Moffatt

A gas station in Somerset, Ky., was opened recently by city officials as a way to try to lower gas prices. Critics call it a socialist move and say government competition isn't fair to local firms.

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'Hell Must Look Like This': A Grueling Year For Train-Struck Town

6:27pm July 06, 2014

by Brian Mann

One year has passed since an American train derailed and exploded in a small Canadian town, killing 47 people and igniting debate over rail safety and oil shipment. Much of the town remains contaminated, with its downtown and some neighborhoods closed. North Country Public Radio's Brian Mann reports on efforts to grapple with the tragic disaster and rebuild the community.

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Study: Surge In Okla. Quakes Can Be Traced To Drilling Operations

6:26pm July 03, 2014

by Joe Wertz

StateImpact Oklahoma's Joe Wertz reports on a new study that links a "swarm" of earthquakes to four specific, high-volume oil and gas industry disposal wells. It's one of several reports that show oil and gas activity could be causing a rise in earthquake activity.

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Environment

Rules Force Washington To Cut Emissions More Than Other States

7:46am June 11, 2014

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced strict new carbon emissions regulations. Washington state has the largest reduction target — about 72 percent overall.

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Will EPA's New Emission Rules Boost Your Power Bill? It Depends

8:26pm June 02, 2014

by Yuki Noguchi

The Environmental Protection Agency wants power plants to cut carbon pollution by 30 percent. Analysts say the impact on consumers will hinge on how individual states move to meet the standards.

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World News

Russia-China Natural Gas Deal Likely To Reshape Energy Markets

7:33am May 29, 2014

by Jackie Northam

The $400 billion gas deal between Russia and China marks Moscow's pivot to Asia. Analysts say the deal could impact projects in the works targeting Asia by other nations, including the U.S.

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Workers at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant are still investigating what caused a radioactive release at the site, but organic cat litter may be the culprit.

Science

Organic Cat Litter Chief Suspect In Nuclear Waste Accident

3:12am May 24, 2014

by Geoff Brumfiel

The release of plutonium at a New Mexico nuclear dump may have been caused by a bad purchase at the pet shop.

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Political Rhetoric Bogs Down Future Of Keystone XL Pipeline

7:52am May 23, 2014

by Jim Zarroli

Claims for and against the pipeline are overblown. It won't make much of a difference on climate change, and it likely won't help the U.S. become energy independent.

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(From left) Incandescent, CFL and LED light bulbs. Many people are finding that choosing the right light bulb has a steep learning curve.

In The Dark About Picking A Light Bulb? This FAQ Can Help

9:23pm May 07, 2014

by NPR Staff

It used to be easy to buy a light bulb. But the transition to more energy-efficient lighting means choosing from an array of products. We help you navigate the world of the 21st century light bulb.

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