Natural Gas

Wind Powered New Energy Construction in 2015

The overhaul of the U.S. energy grid is already well underway.

March 25, 2016 - Fusion

Would Bernie Sanders Delay the Obama Climate Initiative?

Watching Wednesday's Democratic debate between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I was startled to hear Clinton claim that Sanders said he would delay Obama's Clean Power Plan rule. PolitiFact investigated, though the result wasn't clear-cut.

March 14, 2016 - PolitiFact

Bio Gas Installation Cows

Renewable Biogas Can't Compete with Cheap and Plentiful (Fossil) Natural Gas

Unlike Europe where renewable energy is heavily subsidized, very few biogas projects that convert farm waste to energy using anaerobic digesters are being built in the U.S. State incentives are instrumental due to high capital and maintenance costs.

February 25, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

The Erosion of Public Trust

The damage caused by Michigan environmental agencies charged with protecting public health extend far beyond Flint. Residents suffering health effects from a huge natural gas leak in Southern California see parallels with the lead poisoning crisis.

January 26, 2016 - The New York Times

Coal Mining

Appalachian Coal's Last Wheezing Breath

As the nation abandons old-school West Virginia coal, a scarred and cratered landscape remains. Can residents build a new economy and overcome the legacy of an often-brutal industry?

September 18, 2015 - Grist

Natural Gas Is the New Top Dog in U.S. Energy Production

A new report puts natural gas ahead of coal in the U.S. energy production portfolio.

July 14, 2015 - Associated Press via Chicago Tribune

How the Coal Industry Collapsed

The writing is on the wall for what's left of the coal industry.

June 2, 2015 - Fusion

Image of hydraulic fracturing equipment

New York Towns Consider Secession, Cite Fracking Ban

Concerned about their economic fate, several upstate New York towns have expressed interest in joining Pennsylvania instead.

March 8, 2015 - Talking Points Memo

New Methane Emission Regulations Aim for 45 Percent Reduction by 2025

President Barack Obama hopes to add to his "climate legacy" by having the EPA adopt the nation's first regulations to reduce methane emissions, the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emission after carbon dioxide, but far more powerful.

January 15, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

New York Bans Fracking for Good

Gov. Andrew Cuomo finally made a decision—make it permanent in 2015. Fracking foes won an important battle as the Empire State has massive natural gas reserves in the Marcellus shale play. In the end, health issues trumped economics.

December 18, 2014 - Vox

Explained: America's Complex System of Oil Transportation

A new analysis by Joseph Kane, Robert Puentes, and Adie Tomer examines America's current infrastructure of transporting oil throughout the country.

December 5, 2014 - Brookings Institution

Is $1.4 Billion Enough Punishment for Deadly Natural Gas Explosion?

With a final decision expected later this year, the California Public Utilities Commission recommended a $1.4 billion fine for PG&E in connection with violations leading to a natural gas explosion in 2010.

September 6, 2014 - San Jose Mercury News

China Bans the Use of Coal Around Cities

In this Sunday Review editorial, The New York Times applauds China's announcement that it will ban coal burning in the Beijing region by 2020, but warns that some solutions to air pollution will exacerbate climate change.

August 26, 2014 - The New York Times

U.S. Coal Exports to Europe Breaking Records

If President Obama is waging a "war on coal," as his critics claim, then Europe must be enjoying a love affair with America's high-carbon fossil fuel, and the most polluting variety at that. How could the world's greenest continent turn so brown?

May 8, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

Energy Economics: Europe Pays Steap Price For Opposing Fracking

When it comes to fracking, much dialog is about energy vs. environment. Not this one. NPR reports on the economic consequences of Europe's rejection of fracking. Many European companies are setting up shop in the U.S. where energy may cost 75% less.

March 27, 2014 - NPR Morning Edition

Are Environmentalists Digging Their Own Fracking Hole in Opposing Natural Gas Exports?

In a pair of articles, The Hill's energy and environment blogger Timothy Cara looks at political efforts to increase natural gas exports to Europe on account of Russia's annexation of Crimea, part of Ukraine, and environmental groups opposed to it.

March 24, 2014 - The Hill

Oil Trains from North Dakota to the Rescue in Philadelphia

The hazards of shipping North Dakotan crude-by-rail have been well documented and are the focus of new DOT regulations due to its volatility, but there's a more positive side to this oil and the trains that deliver it, illustrated in Philadelphia.

March 16, 2014 - NPR Morning Edition

Natural Gas Dependence Hobbles Western Response to Crimean Crisis

With the Crimean referendum just days away, President Obama hopes that economic sanctions will cause Russia to back-off its threatened annexation from Ukraine. However, Europe may be unlikely to go along due to it's dependence on Russian natural gas.

March 11, 2014 - Living on Earth

Stick With Diesel, Climate Experts Tell Truckers and Transit Agencies

So much for switching from diesel fuel to natural gas to protect the environment. A new report concludes that it is best to stick with oil-based fuels because methane leakage from natural gas is much greater than currently estimated.

February 18, 2014 - The New York Times - U.S.

Energy Policy in State of the Union Upsets Some Environmentalists

In his State of the Union address, President Obama touted his "all of the above" energy policy which was bemoaned by some environmental groups who are upset with his embrace of natural gas as a "bridge fuel" to a clean energy future.

January 30, 2014 - Huff Post Green

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.