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They cleaned the U.S.' largest coal ash spill; many have died waiting for compensation

Sep 26, 2022
Coal ash contains a slew of toxic elements. The Tennessee Supreme Court is weighing the latest effort to block the workers’ cases.
In December 2008, more than 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash were released from a holding pond at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Harriman, Tennessee.
Lily Jamali/Marketplace

Crypto industry finds itself in the thick of local fights over greenhouse gas emissions

Jul 1, 2022
New York's denial of a power plant permit highlights what's at stake for the crypto industry and communities fighting to meet climate goals.
Thursday, New York state officials decided not to renew an air permit for a cryptocurrency mining facility citing emission-reduction goals. Above, a workers install a row of bitcoin mining machines in Texas.
Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

New York state awaits governor's decision on partial crypto mining moratorium

Jun 23, 2022
The 2-year moratorium prevents the repurposing of fossil-fuel burning power plants into crypto mining operations.
A large metal tube juts into Seneca Lake. The Greenidge Generation crypto mining facility uses the tube to take in water to cool its equipment. The warmer water is then discharged back into the lake.
Lily Jamali/Marketplace

How banks use Big Tech's deposits to fund the fossil fuel industry

Jun 22, 2022
Some tech giants have pledged to decarbonize operations. But their cash contributes to climate change, says environmentalist Bill McKibben.
Longtime environmental activist Bill McKibben says banks are worsening climate change by financing carbon-intensive projects, and much of the cash comes from tech giants.

A wildlife crossing near Los Angeles aims to expand the terrain where animals can roam

Apr 19, 2022
Most of the $90 million price tag for the crossing — about 60% — comes from private donations.
An artistic rendering of what the crossing will look like from the south of Highway 101. The crossing will be 175 feet wide and 210 feet long – that’s about the width of an American football field going over 10 lanes of highway.
Courtesy Living Habitats LLC and The National Wildlife Federation

Biden administration restarts oil and gas leases on federal lands

Apr 18, 2022
The move shows the president is trying to bring down prices, but he also appears to be going back on his word to curb oil and gas production.
It may take six months to a year before any oil is produced from new leases on federal lands. Above, pump jacks in California.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Investment in solar power key to Biden's green energy goals

Sep 9, 2021
A Department of Energy study out today shows that the U.S. has the potential to power 40% of its electricity needs with solar power.
The 100-megawatt MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array is launched on June 28, 2021 in Dry Lake Valley, Nevada.
Ethan Miller via Getty Images

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Can plastic-eating bacteria help cut down on pollution?

Oct 26, 2020
British and American researchers have developed a “super-enzyme” to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of recycling of plastic waste.
Municipal workers clear plastic from a canal in Bangkok in June.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

Artist turns thousands of plastic bags into Times Square public art project

Oct 26, 2020
The pop-up "store" is filled with handcrafted items made from single-use plastic bags.
Artist Robin Frohardt stands outside her Times Square immersive art exhibit, "The Plastic Bag Store."
Maria Baranova/Courtesy of Times Square Arts

"Flaring" is an environmental problem. What will stop oil companies from doing it?

Aug 24, 2020
It's often cheaper to burn off the natural gas than it is to sell it.
When oil producers deliberately burn natural gas, the process is called flaring. It can be a money-saving technique but has consequences for the Earth's climate.
Emiliano Lasalvia/AFP via Getty Images