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Bear With Us
Green groups sue over delay in polar-bear endangered-species decision |
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01 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 9:13 AM on 01 Feb 2008 Environmental and native groups have sued -- as they are wont to do -- in an attempt to force the Interior Department to rethink its decision to sell oil and gas leases in Alaska's Chukchi Sea, which is prime polar bear habitat. The lease sale by the department's Minerals Management Service is scheduled to go ahead next week; meanwhile, another agency in the department, the Fish a ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Department of Interior, endangered species, energy, litigation, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, US Fish and Wildlife Service, wildlife (all these topics) |
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Stimulating Indeed
Senators include clean-energy incentives in economic stimulus bill |
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30 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 2:57 PM on 30 Jan 2008 More than 40 senators, of both the Democrat and Republican persuasion, got behind a successful effort to include green-job boosting and renewable-energy incentives in the Senate version of an economic stimulus package. The legislation passed markup in the Finance Committee today and now heads to the Senate floor for a final vote. source: Sierra Club F ... |
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| Topics: business, energy, green jobs, news, politics, renewable energy, US Senate (all these topics) |
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PastGen
Department of Energy backs away from funding FutureGen project |
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29 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 5:04 PM on 29 Jan 2008 Well let us just pick our grinning jaws up off the floor: The U.S. Department of Energy has told lawmakers that it plans to pull funding for FutureGen, its ambitious and crazily expensive "clean coal" demonstration plant. The feds had planned to cover some three-quarters of the $1.8 billion price tag, and cited ballooning costs as its reason for backing out. The announcement pissed ... |
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| Topics: carbon sequestration, coal, Department of Energy, energy, Illinois, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Will You Be Mining?
Senate committee considers mining reform, not all that into it |
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25 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 5:13 PM on 25 Jan 2008 The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing yesterday on mining reform, indicating unwillingness to overhaul 136-year-old U.S. mining policy anywhere near as much as would a House of Representatives bill passed this fall. Senators seemed generally open to creating a cleanup fund and placing royalties on new mines, but key lawmakers from Western states balked a ... |
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| Topics: energy, legislation, mining, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
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The Coal War
Coal lobbyists step up their game |
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18 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 1:08 PM on 18 Jan 2008 A group called Americans for Balanced Energy Choices is waging a $35 million campaign urging Americans to make one choice in particular: coal. As U.S. activists step up their protests against coal plants -- and find increasing success -- the industry-backed ABEC is running ads chirping that the black rock "powers our way of life" and "will help us with vital energy security." Radio, print, and TV ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, coal, energy, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Hear You Loud and Nuclear
Hillary Clinton brings an environmental issue to the fore in Nevada |
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17 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 3:14 PM on 17 Jan 2008 Hillary Clinton is taking pains to make sure all Nevadans know her views on -- gasp! -- an environmental issue: She would stop plans to store nuclear waste at the state's Yucca Mountain repository. "This is not just, 'We're in Nevada, so we'll talk about an issue Nevadans care about,'" Clinton assured voters. "This is an American issue." Yucca Mounta ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, elections, energy, Hillary Clinton, Nevada, news, nuclear power, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Comin' Round the Mountain
Leading Dem candidates talk nuclear power at Nevada debate |
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16 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 2:18 PM on 16 Jan 2008 The three leading Democratic presidential candidates came together in Nevada last night for yet another debate. Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Barack Obama all wooed Nevada voters by voicing opposition to the Yucca Mountain nuclear-waste repository, with Edwards taking his opposition a step further and coming out against all new nuclear construction. The highest drama came b ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, Dennis Kucinich, elections, energy, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Nevada, news, nuclear power, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Silly Elliott
Court justice frolicked with coal exec while fraud case was pending |
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15 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 2:21 PM on 15 Jan 2008 When found guilty of fraud and penalized $50 million by a West Virginia jury, coal company Massey Energy appealed to the state Supreme Court -- and won in a 3-to-2 decision. Now a motion has been filed to disqualify Justice Elliott Maynard from the case and withdraw his favorable vote, as pictures have surfaced of Maynard and Massey CEO Don Blankenship enjoying each other's company ... |
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| Topics: coal, energy, jackassery, litigation, news, politics (all these topics) |
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We're Getting the Shakes
President Bush asks OPEC to boost oil production |
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15 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 12:15 PM on 15 Jan 2008 President Bush, on a trip to Saudi Arabia, has urged the key member of OPEC to boost oil production. "Oil prices are very high, which is tough on our economy," said Bush. "I would hope, as OPEC considers different production levels, that they understand that if ... one of their biggest consumers' economy suffers, it will mean less purchases, less gas and oil sold." Tran ... |
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| Topics: energy, George Bush, international politics, news, oil, politics, Saudi Arabia (all these topics) |
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Renewing Renewables
Tax incentives for clean energy not yet renewed -- but probably will be |
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20 Dec 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 10:24 AM on 20 Dec 2007 A renewal of tax incentives for building and installing clean energy sources was stripped from the recently signed energy bill, putting wind and solar boosters just a wee bit on edge. Current federal tax credits for renewable energy will expire at the end of 2008; Rhone Resch of the Solar Energy Industries Association predicts that U.S. solar installations, which jumped 8 ... |
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| Topics: energy, legislation, news, politics, renewable energy (all these topics) |
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Pete and Repeat
Sen. Domenici tries again to boost loan guarantees for nuclear power plants |
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18 Dec 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 9:56 AM on 18 Dec 2007 The multifaceted appropriations bill making its way through the Senate contains language that would raise the limits on loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants. The language was added thanks to tireless nuclear booster Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), who has tried (and so far failed) to raise loan guarantees for nuclear plants by inserting provisions into the energy bil ... |
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| Topics: energy, legislation, news, nuclear power, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
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Stan, Stan, He's Not Our Man
Nominee for federal fossil-energy secretary has strong ties to Big Coal |
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17 Dec 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 5:18 PM on 17 Dec 2007 From 2001 to 2003, Stanley Suboleski was chief operating officer of mining company Massey Energy, which faces $2.4 billion in fines for more than 4,000 alleged Clean Water Act violations at its coal operations in West Virginia and Kentucky within the past six years. It's only logical, then, that President Bush would nominate Suboleski, who is still an independent ... |
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| Topics: coal, Department of Energy, energy, jackassery, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Energy In Da Hooouuuse!
House passes landmark energy bill; Senate up next |
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06 Dec 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 12:48 PM on 06 Dec 2007 Today, by a 235-181 vote mostly along party lines, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an energy bill that represents a decisive break with decades of energy policy focused on fossil fuels. The bill, shepherded through the House via the tenacious arm-twisting and ass-kicking of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), would: raise auto fuel-economy standards for the first time in over 30 year ... |
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| Topics: energy, legislation, Nancy Pelosi, news, politics, progress, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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What Juneau About That?
Alaska oil-tax bribery scandal widens, may include members of Congress |
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12 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 2:42 PM on 12 Nov 2007 For the last year or so, ugly truths about Alaskan politics have been oozing into the limelight as state and federal officials unravel a scandal involving cash bribes, an oil tax, bowling scores, and sleeping pills. Yes, you heard us right: an oil tax! The founder of an oil-field services company pled guilty this spring to bribery and conspiracy; he's drug several stat ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Big Oil, energy, insanity, news, politics, state politics, Ted Stevens (all these topics) |
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Leave 'Er, Man
Lieberman introduces bill to designate Arctic Refuge as wilderness |
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07 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 12:16 PM on 07 Nov 2007 Part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would be designated as wilderness under legislation introduced today by Sen. Joe Lieberman and 25 colleagues. Wilderness designation for the 1.5-million-acre coastal plains region would rebuff seemingly nonstop attempts to drill for oil and gas there. Says Lieberman in a stroke of analogy genius, "America's strength is not in our oil ... |
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| Topics: Arctic Refuge, energy, legislation, news, politics, wilderness (all these topics) |
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Capitol and Trade
U.S. Capitol buys carbon offsets |
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06 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 1:14 PM on 06 Nov 2007 As part of an ongoing greening plan, the U.S. Capitol is buying $89,000 worth of carbon credits to offset the 30,000 tons of greenhouse gases emitted annually by the antiquated coal plant that provides it with power. The Government Accountability Office plans to publish a review of the carbon-offset industry in April; some members of Congress asked House Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Beard, who will cut th ... |
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| Topics: carbon trading, climate, coal, energy, news, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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Loophole in the Ground
Activists ask Congress to close regulatory loopholes for oil and gas companies |
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01 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 5:17 PM on 01 Nov 2007 At a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing yesterday -- Wait! It's not as boring as it sounds! -- scientists and conservationists asked Congress to plug legislative loopholes that exempt oil and gas companies from some regulatory oversight. Particularly of interest to green and health advocates are exemptions from regulation of a natural-gas ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, regulation (all these topics) |
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It's a Fine Day
BP settles three federal investigations |
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26 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 3:14 PM on 26 Oct 2007 Oil giant BP settled three federal investigations yesterday. Drumroll please ... In regards to the 2005 Texas refinery explosion that killed 15 workers, BP will admit it is Beyond Guilty to felony charges of violating the Clean Air Act and not enforcing safety standards, and will pay a $50 million fine. In regards to last year's snafu with leaky oil pipelines in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the company will plead g ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, litigation, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Once More Into the Speech
Obama introduces ambitious energy plan |
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08 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 5:24 PM on 08 Oct 2007 Barack Obama unveiled the details of his energy policy proposal in a speech in New Hampshire today, and he's swinging for the fences. At the center is a cap-and-trade system that would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. Notably, Obama is the first major presidential candidate to propose that 100 percent of the initial emission permits be auctioned rather than freely allocated, a po ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, energy, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Into the Speech
Obama will outline energy plan in New Hampshire |
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08 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 10:15 AM on 08 Oct 2007 Barack Obama will outline his energy plan later today in a speech in Portsmouth, N.H. Expect him to laud cap-and-trade and energy efficiency, propose spending $150 billion over the next decade on clean energy R&D, and blame politicians for not being ballsy enough to make bold proposals for tackling global warming. sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Seacoast Online see also, ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, energy, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Oh, Sproat It All
Yucca Mountain may be doubled in size, need more funding |
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05 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 12:04 PM on 05 Oct 2007 In a move sure to endear Nevada's Yucca Mountain nuclear-waste repository to fiercely opposed Nevadans, the Department of Energy has proposed doubling its size. Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley (D) concisely sums up the reaction of the sane: "Doubling the size of Yucca Mountain will only double the danger. This is not a bad dream; it's a nightmare." In addition, the DOE's Edward F. S ... |
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| Topics: Department of Energy, energy, insanity, Nevada, news, nuclear power, politics, waste (all these topics) |
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Quebec and Call
Quebec introduces carbon tax |
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02 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 4:13 PM on 02 Oct 2007 Determined not to let British Columbia hog the green spotlight, the province of Quebec has introduced Canada's first carbon tax. The tax, to be levied on gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and coal, is expected to raise $200 million a year to fund the province's emissions-reduction plans. Apparently Quebec never got the memo that taxes are communist plots developed by the French ... hey, wait a minute! source: Reuters, A ... |
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| Topics: Canada, carbon tax, energy, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Into the Breach
DOE hasn't opened Yucca nuclear-waste dump, must pay millions for breach of contract |
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01 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 2:52 PM on 01 Oct 2007 As if the saga of Nevada's Yucca Mountain wasn't ridiculous enough, a court has ruled that the Department of Energy's failure to open the nuclear-waste repository on time will have a price tag of $116.5 million, payable to Xcel Energy for breach of contract. And just to remind you of the ridiculousness, in the words of Minnesota State Senator Ellen Anderson: &quo ... |
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| Topics: Department of Energy, energy, litigation, Nevada, news, nuclear power, politics, waste (all these topics) |
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Sass Is in Sessions
Judge rules against Big Auto, says states can regulate emissions from cars |
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12 Sep 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 11:11 AM on 12 Sep 2007 States should be allowed to restrict greenhouse-gas emissions from cars, and Big Auto should just deal, a federal judge ruled today. Right now, the only real way to curb the emissions is to improve gas mileage; when Vermont decided to adopt California's strict emissions rules, automakers sued, claiming that the state was illegally regulating fuel economy -- and that ma ... |
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| Topics: Big Auto, cars, climate, energy, fuel efficiency, greenhouse-gas emissions, litigation, news, politics, regulation, state politics, Vermont (all these topics) |
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Yucca Rebuke
A setback for Yucca Mountain nuke dump as judge denies water to project |
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06 Sep 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 9:11 AM on 06 Sep 2007 A federal judge poured cold water on the U.S. government's plans to build a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain in Nevada this week -- or, more accurately, he left the feds high and dry. The Department of Energy has been seeking 8 million gallons of state-controlled water to drill test holes at Yucca Mountain; the state of Nevada, which wants to be rid of the dump, has said no ... |
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| Topics: Department of Energy, energy, Nevada, news, nuclear power, politics, water conflicts (all these topics) |
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