Photos reveal how polluted the U.S. was before EPA was founded

Smog obscures George Washington Bridge, 1973 [From EPA Documerica series]It can be argued that the current presidential administration appears to lack interest in the traditional mission of the Environmental Protection Agency. As a candidate, Donald Trump advocated wholesale repeal of environmental regulations and increased production of fossil fuels. He has also called climate science a "hoax" created by China to hurt...

Overall U.S. vehicle fleet gas mileage rose only slightly over last 25 years

1991 BMW M5The average fuel economy of the new cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. is appreciably higher than it was 10 years ago. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute has demonstrated that in its regular reports calculating new-car average fuel economy since October 2007. But researchers Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle found...

Coal industry hopes to don disguise as clean-power player via carbon capture

Coal, by Flicker user oatsy40 (Used Under CC License)As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump vowed to "bring back coal" as part of a larger program to encourage greater production of fossil fuels. But the coal industry believes it needs more than an ostensibly friendly administration in Washington to survive. With coal production down and electric utilities continuing to switch to lower-cost...

Volvo concept truck uses hybrid power to cut fuel use, emissions

Volvo Concept TruckBecause they cover significantly more mileage than the average passenger car, with much worse fuel economy, large commercial trucks are a major source of emissions. Last year, Volvo Trucks aimed to address this issue with a concept truck that demonstrated ways to improve fuel efficiency through aerodynamics and weight reduction. Volvo Trucks sells...

Sierra Club to sue EPA over failure to report on ethanol

FlexFuel badge on E85-capable 2009 Chevrolet HHRThe confirmation of Scott Pruitt as Environmental Protection Agency administrator was expected to rankle environmental groups. Pruitt is a climate-science denier who, in his previous position as Oklahoma attorney general, sued the agency he is now charged with many multiple times over its efforts to enforce environmental regulations. But what may...

Why liquid hydrogen may make sense for airplanes, replacing jet fuel

KLM biofuel-powered airliner (KLM)If you want to find a major source of transportation-related emissions, just look up. Aviation currently accounts for around 2 percent of global carbon emissions, and many analysts believe its share could triple by the middle of the century if projected growth in air travel occurs. But finding alternatives to fossil fuels has proven much more...

London to charge pre-2006 diesel cars $27 to enter on weekdays

Mark Webber driving a 2016 Porsche 919 Hybrid in LondonFor more than 13 years, London has collected a stiff charge from motor vehicles entering the congested core of the city during weekday business hours. Known as the congestion charge, the fee of £11.50 a day, or $14.50 (£10 with automatic payment, or $12.50) is levied from 6 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday except holidays. First...

Speedy growth of electric cars will challenge automakers

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV pre-production vehicles at Orion Township Assembly Plant, March 2016Estimates of electric-car market share over the coming decades vary wildly, but certain trends seem to be working in their favor. Battery prices should continue to fall, and tougher global emissions standards may put increasing pressure on automakers to build larger numbers of electric cars. But can automakers handle a sudden increase in...