Energy

Courtney Blashka, director of community forestry & conservation at Holden Forests & Gardens, tidies up the soil around a newly planted oak tree that's a clone of the tree that Jesse Owens planted.

Bringing Back Trees To "Forest City's" Redlined Areas Helps Residents And The Climate

7:31pm June 23, 2021

by Dan Charles

In Cleveland, as in other cities, a move for "tree equity" is bringing more trees to low-income neighborhoods that often lack them. It also helps neighborhoods stay cooler as the planet heats up.

Flora Dillard says the help she received in upgrading her house and cutting her energy bills is "a very good program, especially for people that don't have a lot of income." She has lived in the house for 15 years.

What's The Best Way To Help The Climate And People, Too? Home Improvement

11:01am June 22, 2021

by Dan Charles

President Biden wants to spend $200 billion renovating old homes or building affordable new ones. It's a move that would fight climate change in a way that makes people's lives better.

A few years ago Cleveland linked climate policy and social equity. Now the Ohio city is hoping to use federal funding to help achieve its climate action goals.

The White House Wants To Fight Climate Change And Help People. Cleveland Led The Way

11:28am June 21, 2021

by Dan Charles

The White House wants to fight climate change in ways that also remove economic and racial disparities. The city of Cleveland has a plan that describes what that might mean.

Indigenous Activist On Why Groups Are Protesting The Line 3 Pipeline In Minnesota

4:33pm June 17, 2021

NPR's Audie Cornish chats with attorney and indigenous rights activist Tara Houska about protests against Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline in northern Minnesota.

National

Heat Wave Has Sparked Another Round Of Grid Problems In Texas

4:26pm June 16, 2021

by Mose Buchele

The Texas electric grid is facing problems during a heat wave this week, fueling frustration that lawmakers have still not helped those who suffered during a devastating blackout back in February.

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The Xinyuan Coal Mine operated by Yangquan Coal Industry Group Co. in Jinzhong, Shanxi province, in October.

China Has Promised To Go Carbon-Neutral By 2060, But Coal Is Still King

8:00am June 14, 2021

by Emily Feng

This year, China pledged to go carbon-neutral by 2060. It has invested heavily in solar, wind and nuclear energy. Still, coal-fired heavy industry made up 37% of its economic activity last year.

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A wall-mounted thermostat in a California home. New research finds households that can least afford it are spending more than they have to on electricity.

Tackling 'Energy Justice' Requires Better Data. These Researchers Are On It

7:00am June 13, 2021

by Jeff Brady

President Biden's climate plans call for spending big on energy efficiency. New research could help make sure it actually targets the poor and minority households that most need it.

A sign at a store in El Zonte, El Salvador, advertises that it accepts bitcoins for payment.

Science

El Salvador Plans To Use Electricity Generated From Volcanoes To Mine Bitcoin

12:16pm June 11, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

Bitcoin mining has taken a lot of heat for being harmful to the environment since it requires massive amounts of electricity to generate the invisible currency.

A fire at a Luma Energy substation in San Juan knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of residents in Puerto Rico on Thursday.

A Fire And Cyberattack Cause Major Blackouts Across Puerto Rico

9:01am June 11, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

At the height of the blackout, nearly 800,000 customers were without power, according to Luma Energy. The company took over as the island's power authority just 10 days ago.

A storage yard in Montana contains pipe that was to be used in the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The developer has now canceled the controversial project.

Developer Abandons Keystone XL Pipeline Project, Ending Decade-Long Battle

12:36pm June 10, 2021

by Jeff Brady

TC Energy suspended construction in January when President Biden revoked a key permit. The controversial project was a major flashpoint in the debate over fossil fuels' role in climate change.

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