Fossil Fuels
New EPA Rules Would Slash Power Plant Emissions
The EPA has announced new draft rules that would require power plants that burn fossil fuels to capture 90 percent of their climate-warming emissions
Fossil Fuels101 articles archived since 1845
Fossil Fuels
Electric Car Production Will Accelerate after EPA’s Historic Tailpipe Emissions Rules
Aggressive restrictions will affect carbon, smog and soot emissions from compact cars all the way up to long-haul trucks
Fossil Fuels
Gulf Oil Platforms Emit Even More Methane than Reported
The greenhouse gas intensity of offshore oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico could be twice as much as government estimates
Climate Change
Wealthy Countries Have Blown Through Their Carbon Budgets
Some countries have used up far more of the world’s carbon budget—the amount we can emit and still avoid more extreme climate disruption—than others
Climate Change
The U.S. Can Hit Its 2030 Climate Goals, but a Lot Has to Go Right
The U.S. is in a better place to reach its climate goals after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure bill, but the implementation of pollution rules and the outcome of the 2024 election could pose major hurdles...
Climate Change
IPCC Report Will Likely Shake Up U.N. Climate Talks
Scientists say countries need to cut emissions far deeper to prevent catastrophic warming. That fact will hang over delegates when they meet later this year at the annual U.N. climate talks...
Climate Change
Scientists Just Warned We Need to Cut Emissions by 60 Percent, but the U.S. Is Years Away
The IPCC’s latest climate assessment says the world must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2035, but the U.S. is already behind on a less ambitious target...
Pollution
Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts Stirred Up Toxic Sediment
The Nord Stream pipeline explosions happened in a dumping ground for chemical warfare, but other contaminants proved most toxic to marine life
Education
Texas Weakens Climate Science Education Guidelines
Texas education officials adopted changes to internal guidance on textbooks that could steer schools to buy books that misinform students about global warming
Fossil Fuels
Environmental and Indigenous Groups Sue over Willow Oil-Drilling Project
A coalition of environmental and Indigenous groups is suing the Biden administration over the approval of the Willow oil- and gas-drilling project in Alaska, arguing the government failed to consider the climate risks, as well as harm to wildlife and subsistence hunting...
Climate Change
Why the Climate Fight Will Fail without India
India is at an energy crossroads: if it chooses fossil fuels, it could undermine global climate targets
Fossil Fuels
Why Capturing Methane Is So Difficult
Oil and gas facilities will soon be charged for releasing methane, but technologies to capture the potent greenhouse gas are still relatively new and untested
Climate Change
Exxon’s Own Models Predicted Global Warming—It Ignored Them
Scientists working for the oil giant Exxon in the 1970s and 1980s estimated temperature increases with remarkable accuracy. Those findings could now be used as evidence in climate litigation...
Fossil Fuels
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Went Up Again in 2022
Though renewable energy surpassed coal generation for the first time in 60 years, causing U.S. power emissions to decline, emissions from buildings and transportation went up in 2022
Fossil Fuels
Record-High Temperatures across Europe Ease Energy Crisis Imposed by Russia’s War
Extreme heat has provided some relief from Europe’s punishing energy crunch. Trouble looms, though, as it continues to seek alternative energy sources
Climate Change
U.S. Energy Emissions Set to Rise for Second Straight Year
Increasing demand for natural gas and oil has offset emissions reductions associated with coal and pushed U.S. energy emissions higher for a second consecutive year
Climate Change
Cleaner Jet Fuel Is Poised for Takeoff
Sustainable aviation fuel is poised for exponential growth thanks to increased investment and policy support, according to industry officials
Renewable Energy
Renewables Are on Pace to Beat Coal as the Largest Power Source by 2025
Higher fossil energy prices and concerns about energy supply disruptions are driving the acceleration of wind, solar and other renewables, the International Energy Agency says
Fossil Fuels
U.S. Renewable Energy Will Surge Past Coal and Nuclear by Year’s End
Wind, solar and hydropower will generate more than 20 percent of the power supply
Climate Change
Climate Aid Is Lacking for Poor Countries That Burn Few Fossil Fuels
New funding programs announced at COP27 are helping poor countries transition away from fossil fuels, but the money isn’t going to places without energy
