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Stories Tagged as

Electricity

Residents of rural Alaska brace for heat-up in fuel prices

by Emily Schwing
Jul 13, 2022
High gas prices threaten food security as well as people's ability to keep the lights on and protect themselves from the cold.
In rural Alaska, the gas that powers electricity-producing generators is delivered by barge or air. Brevig Mission residents expect prices to climb when the next delivery comes.
Tashka/Getty Images
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Texas power grid operator asks customers to limit afternoon AC use

by Andy Uhler
Jul 11, 2022
With temperatures in triple digits in much of the state, air conditioning is creating heavy demand on a system that has had problems in the past.
With temperatures in the triple digits across the state, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is urging customers to conserve energy when possible.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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Energy is getting more expensive. More middle-income families are struggling to pay.

by Samantha Fields
May 16, 2022
Between a quarter and a third of U.S. households are said to be energy insecure, and many don't qualify for aid.
Energy costs should take up about 6% of household income, energy experts say. But many low- and middle-income families are spending multiple times that.
Photo illustration by George Frey/Getty Images
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A Warmer World

As Lake Powell's water level drops, some in the West must turn to more expensive energy sources

by Savannah Maher
Mar 23, 2022
Hydropower is a diminishing resources in a megadrought.
"The way that we're defining this...is not just about those water volumes, it's also about water quality, and also about access to water for the poor," Pacific Institute President Jason Morrison said about the business-led Water Resilience Coalition.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Cryptocurrency mining and the environment

Crypto miners came to upstate New York for cheap energy. Some regret letting them come.

by Lily Jamali
Mar 11, 2022
The miners have blown through one town's allocation of cheap power, while another has put a moratorium on new mining operations.
Coinmint is using an old aluminum smelting plant as a cryptocurrency mining facility. The plant comes with its own electrical substation with direct hookups to the grid.
Lily Jamali/Marketplace
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Doing the numbers on affordable, carbon-neutral housing

by Matt Hoisch
Jan 10, 2022
A Colorado community is building affordable housing that uses solar power to offset its carbon emissions, thanks to its location.
The new Sunnyside affordable housing project. Its name refers to the abundant sunlight the south-facing hillside gets and to its rooftop solar panels, which generate clean energy.
Matt Hoisch
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In fire-prone California, experts push utilities to monitor the riskiest equipment on the grid

by Lily Jamali
Jan 6, 2022
Power lines and equipment have sparked devastating blazes. Now companies are asked to take stock of their aging infrastructure.
Utilities have been making upgrades to their systems. Above, workers re-anchor a pole that suspends power lines outside Acton, California.
Lily Jamali/Marketplace
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What's behind China's power cuts?

by Jennifer Pak
Oct 5, 2021
China has more than enough coal underground to service the country's needs.
There are more than 50 cap and trade programs across the world to address carbon emissions.
Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
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The pandemic slowed global efforts to expand access to electricity

by Samantha Fields
Sep 29, 2021
According to a new IEA report, the pandemic stalled progress the most in sub-Saharan Africa.
A report shows that the pandemic hindered efforts to establish access to electricity around the globe, as governments diverted resources to fighting COVID-19.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
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Texas governor pledges to "mandate and fund" winterization of power grid

by Andy Uhler
Feb 25, 2021
While the mandate deals with the power problem, gas and water are not addressed.
The state needs to be prepared to prevent extreme cold from paralyzing the electric power system.
Matthew Busch/AFP via Getty Images
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