National Geographic News: Energy

Global Nuclear Retreat? Armenia, Others Aim to Keep Plants Alive

Josie Garthwaite — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:43:51 -0400

Armenia extends the life of its Soviet-style nuclear plant, despite seismic concerns. It's one of a slew of decisions nations face on old reactors.

British Columbia Rethinks Its Pioneering Carbon Tax

Stacey Schultz — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:42:44 -0400

With none of its neighbors following British Columbia's lead in taxing to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the Canadian province reviews the economic impact.

Supercomputing Power Could Pave the Way to Energy-Efficient Engines

Marianne Lavelle — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:02:08 -0400

Scientists believe that Titan, a massive upgrade in supercomputing power that the U.S. government is set to deploy this year, will help crack the code on energy-efficient engines.

Delhi Offers Cleaner Auto Rickshaws, but Residents Choose Cars

Rebecca Byerly in New Delhi, India — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:45:33 -0400

In India's clogged cities, some view auto rickshaws—motorized three-wheelers—as a solution to pollution and congestion. But these "tuk tuks" struggle to compete with the allure of car ownership.

Growing Food Demand Strains Energy, Water Supplies

Jeff Smith — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:32:24 -0400

In western India and around the world, agricultural growth is being stoked by unsustainable irrigation practices that sap aquifers and require huge amounts of energy.

With Gas Prices High, U.S. Refinery Closures Hit Workers and Drivers

Marianne Lavelle — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:24:57 -0400

The economic pain of U.S. East Coast refinery closures may spread beyond job losses. Already high gas prices could climb still higher as summer approaches.

While Rare-Earth Trade Dispute Heats Up, Scientists Seek Alternatives

Catherine T. Yang — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:33:54 -0400

While nations clash with China to ease its monopoly over the rare-earth minerals critical to energy technology, scientists hunt for other options.

BP Oil Spill’s Sticky Remnants Wash Up Sporadically On Gulf Beaches

Brian Handwerk — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:13:46 -0400

Tar balls from the worst oil spill in U.S. history continue to soil the Gulf Coast two years later, although at irregular intervals. Scientists say the tiny fragments hold clues for future understanding.

Natural Gas a Weak Weapon Against Climate Change, New Study Asserts

Mason Inman — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:50:07 -0400

A new study argues that replacing all the world's coal power plants with natural gas would do little to slow global warming this century.

Solar Energy Brings Food, Water, and Light to West Africa

Joe Eaton — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:44:46 -0400

For two arid villages in Benin, starvation seemed a greater problem than the lack of electricity. Solar drip irrigation tackled both issues at once.

One Year After Fukushima, Japan Faces Shortages of Energy, Trust

Marianne Lavelle — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:33:57 -0400

By summer, no nuclear plants will be operating in Japan, where mistrust reverberates one year after the world’s second-worst nuclear accident, at Fukushima Daiichi.

Nigeria's Rocky Effort to Wean Itself From Subsidized Fuel

Bolanle Omisore in Lagos — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:54:45 -0400

Nigeria faces an uphill battle in removing fuel subsidies that kept gasoline cheap, but critically hampered the country's development.

Estimates Clash for How Much Natural Gas in the United States

Mason Inman — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:48:34 -0400

As U.S. policymakers contemplate a new era as the "Saudi Arabia of natural gas," a new government analysis slashes estimates for unproved shale gas reserves.

Concern Over Rare Rhino Rouses Clean Energy Drive in Malaysia

Jeff Smith — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:22:12 -0400

After a fight against a coal-fired power plant that threatened one of the last sanctuaries of the Sumatran rhino, a struggle for cleaner energy continues in east Malaysia.

Uganda's Power Drive Stills the Headwaters of the Nile

Andrew Green in Jinja, Uganda — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:17:49 -0400

Uganda, where 90 percent of the people lack electricity, taps deeper into waterpower, by eliminating cascading rapids on the Victoria Nile.

Amid U.S.-China Energy Tension, "Clean Coal" Spurs Teamwork

Catherine Yang — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:55:51 -0400

China's next president visits the White House amid tension on energy. But U.S.-China collaboration is emerging on projects to clean up coal.

U.S. Oil Fields Stage "Great Revival," But No Easing Gas Prices

Mason Inman — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:32:50 -0400

The shale boom centered in North Dakota lifts U.S. oil production, but the unexpected resurgence won't lessen petroleum's cost.

Bubble Curtains: Can They Dampen Offshore Energy Sound for Whales?

Jackson Kuhl — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:38:16 -0400

Oil and wind power companies are testing a novel technology—air bubbles—to shield marine mammals from the sound of their offshore operations.

Iran’s Undisputed Weapon: Power to Block the Strait of Hormuz

Marianne Lavelle — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:30:33 -0400

Although Iran’s ability to throw the global economy into chaos has long been recognized, there’s no ready alternative for moving oil out of the Strait of Hormuz.

Green Moves: Medellin Cable Cars, San Francisco Parking Reform

Josie Garthwaite — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:07:48 -0400

Two cities renowned for hilly terrain and cable cars share in international prize for sustainable transport.

Second Try: LanzaTech Grabs Failed Biofuel Refinery in Georgia Pine

Josie Garthwaite — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:17:36 -0400

A new chapter begins in the effort to brew advanced biofuel in the “Million Pines City” of Soperton, Georgia, with a startup's purchase of a failed U.S. government-backed biorefinery.

Shale Gas: A Boon That Could Stunt Alternatives, Study Says

Mason Inman — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:05:13 -0400

Abundant shale gas could muscle dirty coal out of the U.S. energy picture, but the new resource could also inhibit even cleaner technologies, new economic modeling suggests.

Planting Wind Energy on Farms May Help Crops, Say Researchers

Mason Inman — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:58:24 -0400

Wind energy may do more than improve farm income. When sited in agricultural fields, turbines' churning of air may help crops to grow, new research indicates.

Power Quest: Brazil Works to Wipe "Blackout" From the Lexicon

Marcelo Soares in São Paulo — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:13:19 -0400

Facing domestic dismay over electricity service and new global attention as a world sporting event host, Brazil seeks energy solutions for a diverse nation.

Beam It Down: A Drive to Launch Space-Based Solar

Victoria Jaggard — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:07:08 -0400

The first demonstration of long-awaited space-based solar power technology could come in the next decade, experts say. Likely early use: Disaster relief energy.