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Tuesday

Why even environmentalists are supporting nuclear power today

The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant was scheduled to be shuttered in 2025. But California Governor Gavin Newsom now wants to expand its lifespan. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Energy

Why even environmentalists are supporting nuclear power today

Environmentalists advocating for nuclear power have led a push to extend the operating life of Diablo Canyon, California's last nuclear power plant. Japan and Germany consider similar extensions.

Friday

Households across the U.K. are about to experience an 80% jump in energy costs

Jennifer Jones sorts her bills at her small flat in London, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. Like millions of people, Jones, 54, is struggling to cope as energy and food prices skyrocket during Britain's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Frank Augstein/AP hide caption

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Frank Augstein/AP

Economy

Households across the U.K. are about to experience an 80% jump in energy costs

The latest price cap — the maximum amount that gas suppliers can charge customers — will take effect Oct. 1, just as the cold months set in. And bills are expected to rise again in January.

Thursday

Gas prices drop below $4 a gallon. These factors will determine what happens next

A person goes to the pump at a gas station in Arlington, Va., on July 29. The national average price of gasoline fell below $4 a gallon on Thursday. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Business

Gas prices drop below $4 a gallon. These factors will determine what happens next

The national average price of gasoline has fallen below $4 a gallon. These are four key factors that could determine what happens next with prices at the pump.

Gas prices drop below $4 a gallon. These factors will determine what happens next

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Tuesday

The Environmental Cost of Crypto
Francesco Carta fotografo/Getty Images

Short Wave

The Environmental Cost of Crypto

Cryptocurrencies may exist only in the virtual world, but their impact on our natural resources is huge. That's largely because the technology underpinning crypto is an energy vampire that devours more electricity than do many countries. But that's only part of the story.

The Environmental Cost of Crypto

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Monday

Cryptocurrency Is An Energy Drain
Boris Zhitkov/Getty Images

Short Wave

Cryptocurrency Is An Energy Drain

As cryptocurrencies become increasingly popular, the environmental impact of the technology is gaining more attention. Local, state and national governments are trying to figure out how to regulate the massive amounts of energy that some cryptocurrencies consume.

Cryptocurrency Is An Energy Drain

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Tuesday

Wednesday

How Europe's reliance on Russia's gas plays into the war in Ukraine

The receiving station of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline stands near Lubmin, Germany, on Feb. 2. Nord Stream 2, owned by Russian energy company Gazprom, is to transport Russian natural gas from Russia to Germany. Germany is postponing certification of the pipeline in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sean Gallup/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Analysis

Ukraine invasion — explained

How Europe's reliance on Russia's gas plays into the war in Ukraine

As much as 40% of Europe's natural gas supply comes from Russia, a reliance that puts U.S. allies like Germany in a jam when it comes to sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Tuesday

Coal-dependent West Virginia eliminates ban on nuclear power

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice gives his State of the State speech in the House Chambers in January. Chris Dorst/Charleston Gazette-Mail/via AP hide caption

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Chris Dorst/Charleston Gazette-Mail/via AP

National

Coal-dependent West Virginia eliminates ban on nuclear power

The state's ban on nuclear plants was enacted in 1996, but nuclear power has gained support as a tool to keep climate change under control and other states are transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Monday

Israel's energy minister couldn't enter COP26 because of wheelchair inaccessibility

Karine Elharrar, Orna Barbivai and Meir Cohen from the Yesh Atid party arrive for consultations on the formation of a coalition government in Jerusalem on April 5, 2021. Amir Cohen/Reuters hide caption

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Amir Cohen/Reuters

The COP26 summit

Israel's energy minister couldn't enter COP26 because of wheelchair inaccessibility

Energy minister Karine Elharrar says she was taken to several entrances on Monday, the first full day of the conference, but was unable to get inside from any of them.

Monday

China Wants To Go Carbon-Neutral — And Won't Stop Burning Coal To Get There

The Xinyuan Coal Mine operated by Yangquan Coal Industry Group Co. in Jinzhong, Shanxi province, in October. Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

World

China Wants To Go Carbon-Neutral — And Won't Stop Burning Coal To Get There

This year, China pledged to go carbon-neutral by 2060. It has invested heavily in solar, wind and nuclear energy. Still, coal-fired heavy industry made up 37% of its economic activity last year.

China Wants To Go Carbon-Neutral — And Won't Stop Burning Coal To Get There

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Friday

Tuesday

Take on climate change at home and cut carbon emissions. Here's how
Kaz Fantone for NPR

Life Kit

Take on climate change at home and cut carbon emissions. Here's how

Much of the energy used in buildings comes from burning fossil fuels — so if you want to slow down climate change, your home is one of the first places to look. Here's how to use less energy and even transition to renewable energy sources at home.

Take on climate change at home and cut carbon emissions. Here's how

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Friday

ERCOT CEO Refuses $800K Payout Following Firing

Bill Magness, the former president and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, was removed from his post Wednesday following last month's winter storm that resulted in days-long blackouts for more than 4 million Texans. Eric Gay/AP hide caption

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Eric Gay/AP

Business

ERCOT CEO Refuses $800K Payout Following Firing

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Bill Magness was removed from his post Wednesday. He informed the organization he will not accept his $800,000 severance.

Wednesday

Like 'Peanut Brittle': Mississippi Water Crisis Highlights Infrastructure Problems

Water for flushing toilets was being distributed at seven sites in Mississippi's capital city — more than 10 days after winter storms wreaked havoc on the city's water system because the system is still struggling to maintain consistent water pressure, authorities said. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption

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Rogelio V. Solis/AP

National

Like 'Peanut Brittle': Mississippi Water Crisis Highlights Infrastructure Problems

The water outages in Jackson, Miss., began Feb. 15 as a winter storm swept across the state. An untold number of residents are still without clean water weeks later.

Tuesday

Millions Lose Power In Texas, Northern Mexico As Blackouts And Bitter Cold Continue

A frigid blast of winter weather across the U.S. plunged Texas into an unusually icy emergency Monday that knocked out power to almost 4 million people and shut down airports and roads. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption

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David J. Phillip/AP

Live Updates: Winter Storms 2021

Millions Lose Power In Texas, Northern Mexico As Blackouts And Bitter Cold Continue

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deployed the Texas National Guard to move people without heat and power into shelters.