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Caleigh Wells

Latest Stories (27)

In April, grocery store prices were flat — or even lower

by Caleigh Wells
May 15, 2024
Consumers tend to be very sensitive to food costs. Fresh edibles like fruit, vegetables and meat saw substantial declines.
The prices of fresh food like fruit, vegetables and meat saw some of the biggest decreases.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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The U.S. exports more petroleum than it imports. So why are we importing at all?

by Caleigh Wells
May 13, 2024
It's largely about the chemistry of the oil and the mechanics of the refineries. In many cases, importing foreign crude is cheaper.
An oil pumpjack in Texas. Importing foreign crude oil is often cheaper for the United States.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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Americans have blown through excess pandemic savings. What does that mean for the economy?

by Caleigh Wells
May 8, 2024
We've spent the $2.1 trillion that two San Francisco Fed economists say we saved during the pandemic.
Boyloso/Getty Images
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Replacing lead water pipes is expensive. Not finishing the job may cost more.

by Caleigh Wells
May 7, 2024
The Biden administration has just released another $3 billion in subsidies. About 9 million lead pipes nationwide need replacing.
About 9 million lead pipes nationwide need replacing. Federal funding will cover the replacement of nearly 2 million, says Bruno Pigott with the EPA.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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A Warmer World

Sustainable jet fuel costs twice as much as fossil fuel. New federal subsidies aim to close that gap.

by Caleigh Wells
May 2, 2024
The Biden administration wants increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel around 180 fold by 2030.
Right now, the aviation industry uses about 16 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel each year. The Biden administration is hoping to hit 3 billion gallons by 2030.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Copper is so hot that a mining firm turned down a $39 billion takeover bid because it was too low

by Caleigh Wells
Apr 29, 2024
And the price of the metal is only likely to increase.
Copper will play a major part in meeting clean energy goals, as it's used in wind turbines and solar panels.
Joel Sage/AFP via Getty Images
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Zero-carbon homes exist. Can you really live in one?

by Caleigh Wells
Feb 2, 2024
A Malibu mansion and a more modest home in a middle-class neighborhood have something in common: net-zero carbon emissions.
Reclaimed wood, low-carbon concrete, solar panels and batteries make this home’s carbon footprint net zero.
Caleigh Wells/Marketplace
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EVs have made big inroads in California. But why do most car buyers go with gas?

by Caleigh Wells
Nov 2, 2023
Wealthier drivers are more open to electric vehicles, but low-income people are hesitant due to purchase cost and a lack of charging stations.
Joey Gil, a Tesla driver, said reducing carbon emissions was a key reason to switch to electric.
Caleigh Wells
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How do waste plants pick through all our unsorted recyclables?

by Caleigh Wells
Aug 14, 2023
Single-stream recycling is convenient for consumers, but difficult for recycling companies. It requires a long and complicated process to make trash valuable.
The pile at the beginning of the day represents some of the recyclables from roughly 5 million daily consumers.
Caleigh Wells/KCRW
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In the California desert, old EV batteries now store solar power

by Caleigh Wells
Jul 14, 2023
It's a small market so far, but using the excess supply of used batteries could help meet the high demand for stored clean energy.
Used electric vehicle batteries are pulled out of cars and plugged into systems in these trailers to begin their second careers as clean energy storage devices.
Caleigh Wells for Marketplace
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