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Caleigh Wells

Latest Stories (15)

Americans have blown through excess pandemic savings. What does that mean for the economy?

by Caleigh Wells
May 8, 2024
We've spent the $2.1 trillion that two San Francisco Fed economists say we saved during the pandemic.
Boyloso/Getty Images
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Replacing lead water pipes is expensive. Not finishing the job may cost more.

by Caleigh Wells
May 7, 2024
The Biden administration has just released another $3 billion in subsidies. About 9 million lead pipes nationwide need replacing.
About 9 million lead pipes nationwide need replacing. Federal funding will cover the replacement of nearly 2 million, says Bruno Pigott with the EPA.
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A Warmer World

Sustainable jet fuel costs twice as much as fossil fuel. New federal subsidies aim to close that gap.

by Caleigh Wells
May 2, 2024
The Biden administration wants increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel around 180 fold by 2030.
Right now, the aviation industry uses about 16 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel each year. The Biden administration is hoping to hit 3 billion gallons by 2030.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Copper is so hot that a mining firm turned down a $39 billion takeover bid because it was too low

by Caleigh Wells
Apr 29, 2024
And the price of the metal is only likely to increase.
Copper will play a major part in meeting clean energy goals, as it's used in wind turbines and solar panels.
Joel Sage/AFP via Getty Images
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Zero-carbon homes exist. Can you really live in one?

by Caleigh Wells
Feb 2, 2024
A Malibu mansion and a more modest home in a middle-class neighborhood have something in common: net-zero carbon emissions.
Reclaimed wood, low-carbon concrete, solar panels and batteries make this home’s carbon footprint net zero.
Caleigh Wells/Marketplace
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EVs have made big inroads in California. But why do most car buyers go with gas?

by Caleigh Wells
Nov 2, 2023
Wealthier drivers are more open to electric vehicles, but low-income people are hesitant due to purchase cost and a lack of charging stations.
Joey Gil, a Tesla driver, said reducing carbon emissions was a key reason to switch to electric.
Caleigh Wells
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How do waste plants pick through all our unsorted recyclables?

by Caleigh Wells
Aug 14, 2023
Single-stream recycling is convenient for consumers, but difficult for recycling companies. It requires a long and complicated process to make trash valuable.
The pile at the beginning of the day represents some of the recyclables from roughly 5 million daily consumers.
Caleigh Wells/KCRW
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In the California desert, old EV batteries now store solar power

by Caleigh Wells
Jul 14, 2023
It's a small market so far, but using the excess supply of used batteries could help meet the high demand for stored clean energy.
Used electric vehicle batteries are pulled out of cars and plugged into systems in these trailers to begin their second careers as clean energy storage devices.
Caleigh Wells for Marketplace
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Municipal composting helps food scraps find a second life

by Caleigh Wells
Jun 29, 2023
More and more cities are implementing food scrap collection to reduce landfill methane emissions and help meet climate targets.
At the Recology facility, workers have to manually remove non-perishable items that people mistakenly throw into green bins — including garden hoses, plastic bags and milk cartons.
Caleigh Wells
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How one company is tackling the tricky — and expensive — task of recycling clothing

by Caleigh Wells
May 1, 2023
Diverting textiles from landfills is more difficult and more expensive than doing so for paper and glass. A group of formerly incarcerated workers is paving the way.
Companies send in unsold stock and returned clothes to divert their waste from landfills.
Caleigh Wells
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