Energy

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

8:28am June 10, 2021

by Jeff Brady

The developer of the Keystone XL oil pipeline has abandoned the project after President Biden revoked a permit. It was a major flashpoint in the debate over fossil fuels' role in climate change.

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Shalanda Baker listens during a confirmation hearing Tuesday to be Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact for the Department of Energy.

'Energy Justice' Nominee Brings Activist Voice To Biden's Climate Plans

11:50am June 08, 2021

by Jeff Brady

Shalanda Baker sees energy policy as the next domain for advancing civil rights. She says too many communities of color have experienced the harm - but not the benefits - of energy development.

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Colonial Pipeline CEO Joe Blount says that paying a multi-million dollar ransom to get a large portion of the East Coast's fuel supply back online was "the right decision to make for the country."

National

The Colonial Pipeline CEO Explains The Decision To Pay Hackers A $4.4 Million Ransom

7:13am June 04, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Colonial Pipeline CEO Joe Blount on the ransomware attack on the pipeline's network and the decision to pay the hackers the $4.4 million ransom.

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In February, Ricki Mills watches from her Dallas home as she waits for a fire hydrant to be turned on to get water. Texas lawmakers approved a package of measures aimed at addressing what went wrong during one of the worst power outages in U.S. history.

Texas Lawmakers Passed Changes To Prevent Blackouts. Experts Say They're Not Enough

6:18pm June 02, 2021

by Mose Buchele

After February's deadly power outages, new legislation would mandate winterizing parts of the state's energy system. But lawmakers took a pass on major market reforms to make the grid more resilient.

Under a new directive, pipeline operators will be required to report cyberattacks to the U.S. government.

In Wake Of Colonial Attack, Pipelines Now Must Report Cybersecurity Breaches

9:19am May 27, 2021

by Brian Naylor

The action, the first of several planned steps by the federal government, follows the ransomware hack of the Colonial Pipeline.

Pictured are pumps at an Exxon gas station in Charlotte, N.C. A tiny fund got two board members elected to the oil giant's board, delivering a historic defeat to ExxonMobil.

A Tiny Fund Has Scored A Historic Win Against ExxonMobil Over The Future Of Oil

4:08pm May 26, 2021

by Camila Domonoske

A brand-new hedge fund wants ExxonMobil to take climate change more seriously. And despite Exxon's intense opposition, it managed to fill at least two seats on the oil giant's board of directors.

A gas pump is marked "out of service" as cars line up May 11 at a Circle K in Charlotte, N.C., following a ransomware attack that shut down Colonial Pipeline.

National

Pipeline Companies Will Have To Report Cyberattacks To The Government

4:04pm May 26, 2021

by Avie Schneider

Pipeline and other key infrastructure companies aren't currently required to report ransomware attacks, so "we don't really understand how bad the problem is," says a former cybersecurity official.

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Pictures of plaintiffs fly outside the court in The Hague, Netherlands, before Wednesday's ruling ordering Royal Dutch Shell to rein in its carbon emissions. Thousands of citizens joined the suit charging that Shell's fossil fuel investments endanger live

In A Landmark Case, A Dutch Court Orders Shell To Cut Its Carbon Emissions Faster

3:56pm May 26, 2021

by Jeff Brady

Thousands of Dutch citizens joined environmental groups to charge the oil giant with endangering lives. The first of its kind decision could pressure other companies to take aggressive climate action.

Treated Denver wastewater flows into the South Platte River in April. In what may be the largest U.S. project of its kind, Denver will use excess energy from sewage wastewater to heat and cool a new agriculture, arts and education center.

How Your Hot Showers And Toilet Flushes Can Help the Climate

8:07am May 21, 2021

by Sam Brasch

Evolving technology is making it possible to turn sewage wastewater into energy that can heat and cool large buildings. The largest such project in the U.S. is under construction in Denver.

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The Transportation Security Administration has cybersecurity responsibilities for the nation's 2.7 million miles of pipelines.

Politics & Government

Beyond Airports, TSA Also Manages Pipeline Security. That Could Be A Problem

5:00am May 19, 2021

by Brian Naylor

The agency was put in charge of pipeline cybersecurity when it was formed, but experts say it lacks funding and support for the job. The Colonial Pipeline hack made the issue even more pressing.

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