Trump’s EPA deletes ‘science’ from Science Office mission statement

Bill Nye in new 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, Jan 2017 [photo: Oskar Liners, Community Chevrolet, Burbank]The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is emerging as one of the government entities most targeted by the new Trump Administration for change. In this case, if reports of the administration's draft budget proposal are accurate, change means wholesale elimination of staff, funding, and programs. Yesterday, however, an even more remarkable fact...

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...

ACEEE issues latest list of ‘Greenest’ and ‘Meanest” vehicles

2017 Hyundai Ioniq ElectricMeasuring the energy efficiency of a new vehicle is one thing, but ascertaining its overall environmental impact can be more complex. A debate still rages over the overall carbon footprint of electric cars compared to those powered by fossil fuels. But for the past 20 years, the the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has tried to...

2016 was planet’s hottest year on record, third new high in a row

NASA's famous 'Blue marble' image of Earth (Wikimedia commons)Despite scientists having reached a consensus years ago, considerable debate still appears to be raging over the reality of climate change. Climate-science deniers can count several people appointed to key environmental-regulatory positions in the incoming presidential administration among their ranks. Despite their views, it is impossible to deny...

Second Honda dealership achieves grid-neutral status

Brandfon Honda dealershipIf you're planning on buying a green car, have you ever wondered if you'll be making the purchase at a green dealership? As cars get more efficient, the carbon emissions related to the infrastructure for manufacturing and selling them should be considered as well. Honda has made some efforts in that direction with its "green dealer" program. DON'T...

EPA finalizes emission rules through 2025; no change from existing levels

Chrome exhaust pipeSeven days before the advent of a new presidential administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has locked in planned auto-emission standards through 2025. The emission limits tie directly to fuel-efficiency rules issued by the NHTSA, effectively requiring those rules to stay the same as well. Announcing its final determination this...

Global carbon emissions have been flat for three years now

Ontario Power Generation Nanticoke Generating Station coal power plantGlobal efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions may be starting to pay off, suggests a recent study. Last month, scientists released an assessment that suggests global carbon emissions did not increase significantly in 2016. That makes this the third year in a row that carbon emissions have remained flat. DON'T MISS: Renewable energy growth...

5 African nations push for cleaner diesel fuel from European suppliers

Oil field (Image: Flickr user johnny choura, used under CC license)African nations have a very specific problem when it comes to dealing with emissions from diesel vehicles. Because of lax emissions standards, traders import fuel to these countries that is too dirty for sale elsewhere. But now a handful of African nations are taking a stand against this. DON'T MISS: Why Africa gets filthiest diesel fuel: little...