Latest Energy and the environment News
Michigan dam had repeated safety violations before flooding
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A hydroelectric dam that failed to hold back floodwaters this week in Michigan was the target of lengthy investigations by federal regulators, who revoked the facility's license over safety violations two years before the flooding that forced 10,000 people to evacuate their...
Democrats decry 'pandemic of pollution' under Trump's EPA
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on Wednesday blasted the Trump administration's moves to roll back environmental regulations during the coronavirus crisis, with one senator saying a "pandemic of pollution'' has been released. The Environmental Protection Agency has weakened regulations dealing with fuel...
University of California completes fossil fuel divestment
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of California announced Tuesday that it has divested from all fossil fuels, removing them from its $126-billion investment portfolio. With 285,000 students, UC becomes the largest educational system in the nation to shed such assets in favor of renewable energy such as...
Mexico cites virus in slapping down renewable energy
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican government has cited the coronavirus pandemic as a justification for new rules that will reduce the role of renewable energies like solar and wind power, granting a reprieve to the government's own ageing, fossil-fuel power plants. The decree over the weekend has sparked...
Norway's wealth fund drops big energy, mining firms
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway’s wealth fund, which wants to become one of the most ethical investors in the world, is dropping its investment in several major mining and fossil fuel companies after they failed to meet its environmental standards. The list also included Germany utility giant and...
Sudan pushes Ethiopia to resume stalled talks over Nile dam
CAIRO (AP) — Sudan is pushing Ethiopia to resume stalled U.S.-brokered negotiations over its disputed $4.6 billion dam on the Nile that officials say will start filling in July. In a letter to his Ethiopian counterpart Tuesday, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok stressed the need to reach agreement...
Biggest US solar project approved in Nevada despite critics
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The Trump administration announced final approval Monday of the largest solar energy project in the U.S. and one of the biggest in the world despite objections from conservationists who say it will destroy thousands of acres of habitat critical to the survival of the threatened Mojave...
Environmental groups to sue state over W.Va. coal fund
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Environmental groups announced Monday that they plan to sue the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection over what they say is the agency's failure to adhere to federal reporting requirements for a coal mine reclamation fund. The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy,...
Texas eases underground oil storage rules, raising concerns
NEW YORK (AP) — Texas regulators are relaxing rules about where companies can store oil underground, raising concern among environmentalists about potential groundwater contamination and other dangers. The members of the Railroad Commission of Texas voted Tuesday to allow companies to store oil underground...
Takeaways from renewable energy's struggles amid pandemic
The U.S. renewable energy industry is reeling from the new coronavirus pandemic, which has delayed construction and sowed doubts about major projects on the drawing board. As many as 120,000 jobs in solar and 35,000 in wind could be lost, trade groups say. Leaders are confident the future is bright. But the...
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