Jeff Brady Jeff Brady is the Climate and Energy Correspondent on NPR's Climate Desk.
Jeff Brady 2010
Stories By

Jeff Brady

Doby Photography/NPR
Jeff Brady 2010
Doby Photography/NPR

Jeff Brady

Correspondent, Climate Desk

Jeff Brady is the Climate and Energy Correspondent on NPR's Climate Desk. He reports on the intersection of climate change and politics to reveal whether and how the U.S. is meeting its obligations to address the breakdown of the climate. And his reporting examines who's reshaping the energy system and who are the winners and losers. A key element of Brady's reporting is holding accountable those who block or stall efforts to address climate change in an effort to preserve their business.

Brady approaches stories from the consumer point-of-view to make clear how climate and energy policy-making affects individual lives. He has reported on gas utilities facing an uncertain future in a world more concerned about climate change, the long saga over the Keystone XL oil pipeline, the closing of a light bulb factory in Pennsylvania and how gas ranges pollute homes and make climate change worse.

In 2017 his reporting showed a history of racism and sexism that have made it difficult for the oil business to diversify its workforce. A union at the center of that reporting now faces a class-action lawsuit from its Black members.

In 2011 Brady led NPR's coverage of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State—from the night legendary football coach Joe Paterno was fired to the trial where Sandusky was found guilty.

In 2005, Brady was among the NPR reporters who covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His reporting on flooded cars left behind after the storm exposed efforts to stall the implementation of a national car titling system. Today, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is operational and the Department of Justice estimates it could save car buyers up to $11 billion a year.

Before coming to NPR in September 2003, Brady was a reporter at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) in Portland. He has also worked in commercial television as an anchor and a reporter, and in commercial radio as a talk-show host and reporter.

Brady graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern Oregon State College (now Southern Oregon University). In 2018 SOU honored Brady with its annual "Distinguished Alumni" award.

Story Archive

Thursday

Many countries are frustrated that the U.S. isn't doing more to combat climate change

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Thursday

Climate activists protest on the first day of the ExxonMobil trial outside the New York State Supreme Court building on 2019. Last month, prosecutors described how ExxonMobil tried to take advantage of material stolen by hackers working for Aviram Azari. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Tuesday

What to do if you have a gas stove

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Wind turbines turn behind a solar farm in Rapshagen, Germany in 2021. The International Energy Agency projects demand for fossil fuels will peak before 2030 as renewable energy continues to grow. Michael Sohn/AP hide caption

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Michael Sohn/AP

Tuesday

A 1992 analysis by Duke University and EPA researchers found that children in a home with a gas stove have about a 20% increased risk of developing respiratory illness. A 2022 analysis showed 12.7% of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. can be attributed to gas stove use in homes. Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

How gas utilities used tobacco tactics to avoid gas stove regulations

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Sunday

These 5 big purchases can save energy — and money — at home

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Tuesday

Buying appliances and vehicles that run on electricity, not fossil fuels, can help reduce our carbon footprint. Making these upgrades will cost money — so you will need to plan ahead, says Joel Rosenberg of the nonprofit group Rewiring America. Clockwise from top left: Bloomberg via Getty Images, Schon/Getty Images, Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty Images, Juan Algar/Getty Images; Collage by Kaz Fantone hide caption

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Clockwise from top left: Bloomberg via Getty Images, Schon/Getty Images, Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty Images, Juan Algar/Getty Images; Collage by Kaz Fantone

These 5 big purchases can save energy — and money — at home

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Tuesday

Thursday

Hurricane Fiona moves up the United States Atlantic coast, Thursday night, Sept. 22, 2022. This image provided by the National Hurricane Center shows a satellite view as Hurricane Fiona pounded Bermuda with heavy rains and winds. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hide caption

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Tuesday

The Jim Bridger coal plant in Point of Rocks, Wyo., powers more than a million homes across six Western states. Under proposed federal rules many coal plants would have to dramatically reduce carbon dioxide emissions in coming years. Julia Simon/NPR hide caption

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Julia Simon/NPR

Friday

Friday

Flames burn on a natural gas-burning stove in Chicago on Jan. 12. New research from Stanford University show gas stoves emit benzene, which is linked to cancer. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Gas stoves pollute homes with benzene, which is linked to cancer

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Wednesday

Sunday

How the debt deal will affect social safety net programs and the climate

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Wednesday

How the debt ceiling deal compromises on the environment

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Thursday

The Jim Bridger coal plant in Point of Rocks, Wyo., powers more than a million homes across six Western states. Under proposed federal rules many coal plants would have to dramatically reduce carbon dioxide emissions in coming years. Julia Simon/NPR hide caption

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Julia Simon/NPR

An EPA proposal to (almost) eliminate climate pollution from power plants

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Sunday

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, May 4, 2022. The National Park Service plans to install gas-fired boilers at Independence National Historical Park, despite a 2007 law mandating new and remodeled federal buildings be 100% free of fossil fuels by 2030. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

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Matt Rourke/AP

A 15-year-old law would end fossil fuels in federal buildings, but it's on hold

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Wednesday

A map highlights areas where thousands of blocks of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico were offered up in an oil and gas auction Wednesday. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hide caption

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Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Thursday

As president, Jimmy Carter focused on energy conservation at a time of long gas lines

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Saturday

Gas utilities and cooking stove manufacturers knew for decades that burners could be made that emit less pollution in homes, but they chose not to. That may may be about to change. Sean Gladwell/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean Gladwell/Getty Images

Gas stove makers have a pollution solution. They're just not using it

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Tuesday

Cleaner, healthier gas burners were developed decades ago. Why aren't they available?

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Monday

Recently, Richard Trumka, the commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), suggested regulating gas stoves. A growing body of research points to health and climate risks associated with the use of gas stoves. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Monday

In this Sept. 20, 2017 file photo, electricity poles and lines lie toppled on the road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Carlos Giusti/AP hide caption

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Carlos Giusti/AP

Saturday

An interview with a federal official set off a culture war fight after he suggested regulators might put stricter scrutiny on gas cooking stoves due to health concerns. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images