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Thursday

Wednesday

Ukraine is trying to keep its lights on this winter. Russia aims to turn them off

Utility workers north of Lyman, Ukraine, work on restringing electrical poles in an effort to brace the country's energy system against another winter of expected Russian attacks. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

Ukraine invasion — explained

Ukraine is trying to keep its lights on this winter. Russia aims to turn them off

Utility workers have raced to repair Ukraine's damaged energy grid. Russia has resumed targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy system — and parts of it may be more vulnerable than ever, experts warn.

Ukraine is trying to keep its lights on this winter. Russia aims to turn them off

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Tuesday

Oil companies are embracing terms like 'lower carbon.' Here's what they really mean

ExxonMobil CEO, Darren Woods, speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco on Nov. 15, 2023. Oil companies have a big platform at the ongoing COP28 climate conference in Dubai, and experts say their language is important because it can make it into policy. Woods, for example, attended COP28, the first time an ExxonMobil CEO has gone to the gathering. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Climate

Oil companies are embracing terms like 'lower carbon.' Here's what they really mean

The oil industry has a huge voice in this year's climate talks. But what are oil companies actually saying? And why does it matter? We break down their pledges and statements into plain English.

Oil companies are embracing terms like 'lower carbon.' Here's what they really mean

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Monday

Companies say they're closing in on nuclear fusion as an energy source. Will it work?

A section of aluminium coils from one of Helion's fusion machines. The company hopes its next-generation Polaris system will produce more electricity than it consumes. Geoff Brumfiel/NPR hide caption

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Geoff Brumfiel/NPR

Analysis

Science

Companies say they're closing in on nuclear fusion as an energy source. Will it work?

For decades, government scientists have toiled away trying to make nuclear fusion work. Will commercial companies sprint to the finish?

Companies say they're closing in on nuclear fusion as an energy source. Will it work?

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Tuesday

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

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

Life Kit

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

To live a more climate friendly life, invest in home appliances and vehicles that run on electricity, not fossil fuels, say sustainability experts. Here are a few energy-saving solutions to consider.

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

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Monday

Fixing our failing electric grid ... on a budget

Researchers say that advanced transmission technologies could help the existing grid work better. But some of these tech companies worry about getting utilities on board - because of the way utilities make money. Julia Simon/NPR hide caption

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Julia Simon/NPR

Short Wave

Fixing our failing electric grid ... on a budget

It's no secret that our electric grid is a flaming hot mess — and in order to reduce emissions, the U.S. needs to get a lot more renewables onto the grid. But there's a problem: Our electric grid is too old and outdated to handle this new technology. In fact, many of the copper wires on transmission lines are using technology from as far back as the early 1900s!

Fixing our failing electric grid ... on a budget

Listen · 11:18
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Wednesday

The rise of American natural gas
Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

The rise of American natural gas

In early 2016 the U.S. barely exported any liquified natural gas at all. Now it's the leading exporter of the fossil fuel — on track to way surpass Qatar and Australia. How did that happen? Today on the show, we talk to one of the men who triggered the American exporting revolution.

The rise of American natural gas

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Monday

5 New Year's resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint
Photographs by Becky Harlan/NPR; Matteo De Stefano/Getty Images; pixelfit/Getty Images; Collage by Becky Harlan/NPR

Life Kit

5 New Year's resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint

Lowering individual greenhouse emissions may be easier than you think. Here are some New Year's resolutions experts agree have an impact in addressing climate change.

5 New Year's resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint

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Wednesday

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