Topic: Environmental Defense Fund

Energy Voices
Fighting winter with fire? Wood-burning on the rise.

The number of US homes relying on burning wood for heat is up 24 percent since 2006. But environmental concerns could quash further growth of wood-burning.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Act 3: global warming crusader

The Terminator took on global warming as governor of California. Now, Arnold Schwarzenegger has joined a Showtime miniseries to try to educate the everyman about climate change.

Senate to EU: US airlines won't pay carbon tax

Senate unanimously passes bill to shield US airlines from European Union law on carbon emissions. The EU has been enforcing carbon emissions trading rules since January. 

In win for Obama, EPA regulations on emissions upheld by appeals court

Since a 2007 Supreme Court decision, the EPA has issued four regulations to curtail carbon emissions. Big industry groups and lawmakers from coal-mining and other energy-producing states have objected.

Modern Parenthood
US Navy uses new online game to gather energy security solutions

A new online game developed by the US Navy creates a platform for older kids to contribute ideas on how the military can lessen its dependence on oil, supplementing its current research on energy security.

Cover Story
With all this natural gas, who needs oil?

It's home-grown, plentiful, and touted as the best way to wean the US off Mideast oil. But there are limits to how far the US can tilt toward a natural gas economy. 

EPA issues new rule on greenhouse gas emissions: Where does that leave coal?

The EPA proposed the first-ever US curbs on power plants' greenhouse gas emissions, saying next-generation coal plants should meet the restrictions. But the coal industry slammed the new rule.

Change Agent
Rethinking Carbon Dioxide (CO2): from a pollutant to a moneymaker

Three startup companies led by prominent scientists are working on new technologies to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The scientific community is skeptical, but these entrepreneurs believe removing CO2 can eventually be profitable and help cool the planet.

Can California change US cars forever? New zero-emissions rules take aim.

California has adopted new rules that require 15 percent of all cars sold in the state to be electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen-powered by 2025. Perhaps surprisingly, automakers are onboard.

Green Economics
Will Hollywood's fur ban spread?

West Hollywood bans the sale of fur clothing. Will more California cities follow?

Latin America Monitor
Is the White House ready for a Cuban deep water drilling disaster?

In three months deep water drilling is set to begin in Cuban waters in the Gulf of Mexico, but the US embargo on Cuba could spell catastrophe should a repeat of the Deepwater Horizon spill occur.

Obama drops smog plan: Is it all about the presidential election?

Environmentalists say President Obama is dropping a plan to set new air-quality standards with one eye on on the presidential election. The administration says it is waiting for more research.

Cheers all around as Obama sets fuel efficiency goals for big trucks

First US fuel efficiency rules for heavy-duty trucks, unveiled Tuesday, are embraced by trucking firms, manufacturers, and environmentalists. They'll cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Green Economics
Political polarization of climate change is on the rise

It's time to find a good way to reconsider whether carbon cap and trade would eliminate jobs

Japan nuclear crisis: Will it give nations pause?

Chernobyl and Three Mile Island did not stop nuclear power growth. Will the Japan nuclear crisis at Fukushima delay or end the 'nuclear renaissance'?

EPA to natural gas companies: Give details on 'fracking' chemicals

The natural-gas production industry has resisted providing information about fracking or hydraulic fracturing chemicals, which some say have fouled drinking-water wells.

California set to ban plastic bags

Plastic bags from grocery stores and pharmacies would be banned starting in 2012 under a new bill before the senate. Critics of the bill say recycling programs, not bans, are the answer.

Editorial Board Blog
EPA report on effects of using chemical dispersants in the Gulf oil spill

BP didn't make Gulf oil spill worse with dispersants, EPA finds

The EPA issued a report Monday that suggests the dispersant used by BP in the Gulf oil spill, Corexit, doesn't form a more toxic stew when mixed with oil. The dispersant was also no more toxic than seven other alternatives, the study concluded.

Six lessons from the BP oil spill

What the tragedy of the BP oil spill has taught us about regulations, technology, and how our energy diet must change.

Gulf oil spill: Government argues to reinstate drilling moratorium

The Obama administration will argue its case on deepwater drilling Thursday. The government issued the moratorium in the wake of the Gulf oil spill, but a judge blocked it last month.

EPA moves to cut power plant emissions to fight air pollution

Citing health benefits of reduced air pollution, the EPA on Monday proposed requiring power plants in the central and eastern US to dramatically curb emissions by 2014.

BP live feed doesn't lie: Is BP oil spill plume worse than before?

BP says it's capturing the 'majority' of oil from the Macondo wellhead after placing a 'top cap' siphon on it last week. Yet judging by the size of the plume on the BP live feed, some fear the BP oil spill is even worse after the operation than before.

California advances grocery store plastic bag ban

The California Assembly on Wednesday approved a bill that would ban stores from providing plastic bags, and require them to charge for paper ones. Similar bans are in place in China and Bangladesh.

Oil spill jail time for BP officials? It could happen.

BP officials could be prosecuted under the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, and the Endangered Species Act. So could federal officials if they aided and abetted any illegal acts.