Coal and nuclear power stand to gain from new Department of Energy moves

Oct 2, 2017
The Trump administration is asking for new regulations in the name of grid reliability. Specifically, it wants to support coal and nuclear power to make sure the U.S. always has a  supply on-hand for possible times of need. But skeptics wonder if this is all a back-door bailout for power plants that simply can’t compete […]

The impact of recent hurricanes will play out in the economic data

Sep 18, 2017
Some economic stats released in recent weeks have — hidden within them — hurricane disruption devastation stats. Industrial production was down 0.9 percent in August — a lot of that due to Hurricane Harvey hitting Houston, with its huge oil and gas refineries and chemical factories. Utility use was down — people didn’t have electricity […]

This Los Angeles incubator wants to jumpstart the green economy

Sep 15, 2017
At the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, companies have access to mentors and laser cutters, too.
LA Cleantech Incubator's Advanced Prototyping Center.
Robert Garrova/Marketplace

Blue Bottle could gain shelf space but lose chic with Nestle majority stake

Sep 15, 2017
Like many startups, getting bought by a huge company is the dream for many small entrepreneurial food and beverage brands. Global food corporations are facing backlash, and specialty and craft focused products can help them increase sales. Blue Bottle leadership will retain some control and its headquarters in Oakland, California, but translating its very specific […]

As customers buy more organic food, a call for more industry oversight

Sep 11, 2017
The market for organic food passed the $40 billion mark in the U.S. last year. As bigger companies get into the organics game, and more imported organic food lands in the U.S., more questions arise for USDA certifiers.
In 2016, organic food sales broke past the $40 billion mark for the first time. Above, a customer shops for milk at a Safeway's "Lifestyle" store in Livermore, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

No date set for Texas refineries to get running again

Aug 28, 2017
Louisiana, another critical area for oil plants, is watching Harvey's path.
Flood waters rise today by the refinery section of the Houston Ship Channel. The city is battling Harvey, now a tropical storm, and flooding.
THOMAS B. SHEA/AFP/Getty Images

To cool down city streets, Los Angeles is painting them gray

Aug 24, 2017
Los Angeles is testing out cool pavements on about a dozen blocks around the city.
A stretch of Coronado St. in Los Angeles is one of 15 blocks that is piloting a cool pavement.
Jed Kim/Marketplace

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Canceled coal study means less data on health risks of mountaintop removal

Aug 22, 2017
The Interior Department is stopping a two-year study on the health risks of mountaintop-removal coal mining for people who live nearby. The study was looking at the connection between mining waste and reported increases in heart and lung disease, cancer and birth defects. Some see an end run around industry regulation. Industry says there’s not […]

U.S. carbon emissions are down since 2005. Here’s why.

Aug 17, 2017
Despite a growing fossil fuel export business, the U.S. economy has actually seen its emissions of carbon dioxide fall the last two decades. A new analysis lists the specific reasons, and there are many: more natural gas burned instead of coal, more wind and solar power, more efficient factories and cars. But tomorrow’s path to […]

Wind power cuts into Nebraska's increasing use of coal

Aug 8, 2017
Nebraska is the only state in the lower 48 using more coal for generating electricity than it did a decade ago.
 Caterpillar front-loading machinery operates on mounds of coal.
Luke Sharrett/Getty Images