Topic: U.S. Department of Energy

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Brazil's President Rousseff meets with Obama: 5 topics for talks

As the two largest economies in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and the US have a lot of shared interests, but there are still areas of contention. Here are 5 possible topics on today's presidential agenda:
Six steps to choosing the best refrigerator

If you’ve had the pleasure of purchasing an appliance within the last 10 years you’re probably aware that things are not as simple as they once used to be. While technology has made many things in our lives easier, choosing the best refrigerator among hundreds of similar models isn’t one of them. Family size and lifestyle are only a few of the factors that influence a purchase. That said, armed with the right information and knowing what questions to ask can ease the process of finding the best refrigerator:
East Asia's top 5 island disputes

Many of the island territories are small, isolated from the countries’ mainlands, and sparsely populated. But strategic interests and abundant natural resources make them valuable.
Four ways to survive heat wave – and keep energy bills down

As America blasts its ACs and put its fans on overdrive to try to cope with the heat wave, it will use a lot of energy – which costs a lot of money. More than 40 percent of a typical home’s utility bill goes toward cooling costs.
Here are four tips for keeping energy costs down and still staying cool.
Gas prices: 10 ways you can save at the pump

Gas prices put extra strain on consumers, but several strategies can help offset the high price at the pump. Some of these tips give you more mileage from each gallon in your tank, while others tactics might help you simply drive fewer miles.

All Content

The Race for What's Left

It's not just oil and gas, warns Michael T. Klare in this first-rate wake-up call. Planet Earth is now in danger of running out of just about everything.
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.
Consumer Energy Report
Wind power: America's future?

Wind power is currently the largest nonwater source of renewable energy in the US, and its use has grown by 350 percent since 2006.
Brazil's President Rousseff meets with Obama: 5 topics for talks

As the two largest economies in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and the US have a lot of shared interests, but there are still areas of contention. Here are 5 possible topics on today's presidential agenda:
Readers Write: Pull the plug on electric car criticism

Letters to the Editor for the weekly print issue of March 26, 2012: Two writers argue that an op-ed critiquing electric cars for failing to reduce pollution is unfounded and outdated. Not so, responds the writer, citing another study.
Obama fast-tracks part of Keystone XL pipeline (+video)

After rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline proposal in January, President Obama gives a green light to its southern leg – a bid to ease a key bottleneck to new oil supplies and defuse critics on gas prices.
NASA scientist's espionage attempt results in 13-year prison sentence

On Wednesday, Stewart Nozette, a high-profile former government scientist, was sentenced to 13 years for espionage after passing secrets to an FBI agent posing as an Israeli spy. He was also fined for tax evasion.
Daylight saving time: why we ‘spring forward’ earlier this year

Daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday of March and has since 2007. The goal of moving daylight saving time forward is partly to save energy, but that hasn't happened.
Inside the Keystone pipeline: How much would it really help US consumers?

Politicians paint a rosy picture of lower gas prices and abundant supply, but Canadian firms behind the Keystone pipeline expect it to supply Gulf Coast export markets and raise Midwest oil prices.
Are scientists close to uncovering the Higgs boson?

Researchers analyzing data from Fermilab's now-defunct Tevatron particle accelerator say that they may have glimpsed evidence of the elusive Higgs boson, the so-called God particle thought to be responsible for giving all other particles mass.
Chevy Volt: Why is production being halted?

Even though expectations were high for the Chevy Volt this year, things aren’t looking all that electrifying for the vehicle right now. High gas prices might change that.
Have scientists unraveled the mystery of the northern lights?

Science is closer to explaining how electrons in the earth's upper atmosphere can generate spectacular auroras.
Nuclear power: NRC approves first new reactors since 1978

The NRC, America's nuclear power regulatory board, has given the go ahead to two new reactors in Georgia. Industry advocates call the decision 'historic,' but it had a prominent critic.
The Simple Dollar
Only run full loads of dishes and clothes

If you run your dishwasher, your washing machine, or your dryer with only half a load of clothes or dishes, you’re losing out in terms of efficiency. But how much?
Six steps to choosing the best refrigerator

If you’ve had the pleasure of purchasing an appliance within the last 10 years you’re probably aware that things are not as simple as they once used to be. While technology has made many things in our lives easier, choosing the best refrigerator among hundreds of similar models isn’t one of them. Family size and lifestyle are only a few of the factors that influence a purchase. That said, armed with the right information and knowing what questions to ask can ease the process of finding the best refrigerator:
Change Agent
12 simple ways to go green in 2012

If many people resolve to make their lives just a little greener in 2012 it could make a huge difference.
Obama signs defense bill despite 'serious reservations'

President Obama signed the $662 billion National Defense Authorization Act even though he said he has 'serious reservations' about provisions dealing with the treatment of suspected terrorists.
EPA unveils 'historic' air pollution rules. Can power industry cope?

The EPA says its new rules to drastically reduce toxic air pollution will improve national health at a minimal cost. But the power industry says the rules could hurt the economy.
Green energy: Silicon Valley leads a back-to-basics revolution

Green energy has long aimed to overthrow fossil fuel's stranglehold on world power generation. But for now, Silicon Valley is taking green energy down a different path.
Payroll tax vote blocked by Senate leaders. Bad sign?

Payroll tax measure should have been a quick vote, according to some in Congress. But the Senate will not vote on the House's payroll tax cut until they "finish our most immediate concern first," says the Senate minority leader.
Oil prices rise. US costs, OPEC sales hit records

Oil prices: Americans will spend more than $448 billion on gasoline this year. Rise in oil prices also means more than $1 trillion for OPEC.
Mars rover gets 'engine' upgrade: Curiosity fueled by nuclear power

The next Mars rover, Curiosity, is scheduled to launch Saturday. It's the first Mars rover to jettison solar panels for nuclear power, meaning it can go places and do things others couldn't.
Solyndra scandal probe widens as White House orders new review

Faced with a growing scandal over the bankrupt Solyndra solar power company, the Obama administration has ordered an independent review of government loans to energy companies. Republican lawmakers say they'll subpoena internal White House communications on Solyndra.
Solyndra: Did Energy Department break the law?

Solyndra loan restructuring might violate federal law, Treasury worried, according to released e-mails. House panel aims to determine Energy Department's culpability in aiding Solyndra investors ahead of taxpayers.
Post oil: Electrofuels are an oil-substitute minus the eons

Scientists compress the oil-forming process with a deep water bacteria to create electrofuel, a possible post oil era alternative.