Environment
The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Wintersburg, Arizona. The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Wintersburg, Arizona.

Nevada and Arizona Ballot Measures Would Require Utilities to Use More Renewable Energy Sources

While Nevada’s effort to update its renewable portfolio standard has seen little opposition, the largest utility in Arizona is resisting the same measure.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Nevada and Arizona Ballot Measures Would Require Utilities to Use More Renewable Energy Sources

While Nevada’s effort to update its renewable portfolio standard has seen little opposition, the largest utility in Arizona is resisting the same measure.

  • By Dave Nyczepir
The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Wintersburg, Arizona.
Welcome to Utah Welcome to Utah

Extreme Drought Conditions Prompt Statewide Emergency in Utah

Record low water levels leads to an appeal to conserve supplies.

  • By Michael Grass
A power plant in El Segundo, California. A power plant in El Segundo, California.

California Mayors Slam Increased Fee to Abandon Utilities as Corporate ‘Giveaway’

Switching to an environmentally friendly community choice energy program will cost customers a bit more every month.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Hurricane Michael Could Turn Florida’s 'Red Tide.' But How?

If the storm lowers water temperatures, it might temper the growth of algae blooms.

  • By Ephrat Livni, Quartz
Urban areas typically have more impervious surfaces, which trap heat and raise temperatures. Urban areas typically have more impervious surfaces, which trap heat and raise temperatures.

Throwing Shade: Reducing Urban Temperatures by Planting Trees

A Maryland county is planting free trees in urban areas to increase shaded areas and lower temperatures.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Uniontown, Alabama, resident Alex Jones walks along Cottonwood Creek, which abuts his farm. The bright green creek receives runoff from a cheese factory and the city sewage lagoon. Jones says the pollution has damaged his crops and hurt his cows. Uniontown, Alabama, resident Alex Jones walks along Cottonwood Creek, which abuts his farm. The bright green creek receives runoff from a cheese factory and the city sewage lagoon. Jones says the pollution has damaged his crops and hurt his cows.

Small Town vs. Big Pollution: Black Residents Allege Environmental Racism

Residents of an Alabama town say they are living with pollution that causes a host of health problems.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts
In this Feb. 14, 2017, file photo, a rooftop is covered with solar panels at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in New York. In this Feb. 14, 2017, file photo, a rooftop is covered with solar panels at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in New York.

Google Tool Offers Look at City Emissions, Solar Power Potential

The company's Environmental Insights Explorer features only five localities for now, but there are plans to expand it to thousands.

  • By Bill Lucia
Hurricane flooding leads to standing water, the preferred breeding ground for mosquitoes. Hurricane flooding leads to standing water, the preferred breeding ground for mosquitoes.

After the Storm Come the Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are all over North Carolina after Hurricane Florence. Counties will get $4 million in emergency funds to battle the pests.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Waxhaw, North Carolina - September 16, 2018: Motorists inspect a road flooded by rain from Hurricane Florence. Waxhaw, North Carolina - September 16, 2018: Motorists inspect a road flooded by rain from Hurricane Florence.

Will It Ever Stop Raining?

Cities across the country smashed rainfall records, thanks to a set of factors.

  • By Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic
Oceanfront homes sit over the water as waves from hurricane Florence continue to pound the coast in Nags Head NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Oceanfront homes sit over the water as waves from hurricane Florence continue to pound the coast in Nags Head NC., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Potential Insurance Bill From Hurricane Florence Could Take Toll on Wallets Far From North Carolina’s Coast

Insurance companies retreated from some communities amid stronger storms, leaving a “last-resort” plan to fill the growing gap.

  • By Abrahm Lustgarten and Talia Buford, ProPublica
The Yukon River in Alaska. A Supreme Court case will look at whether the National Park Service or Alaska governs use of rivers in national parks in the state. The Yukon River in Alaska. A Supreme Court case will look at whether the National Park Service or Alaska governs use of rivers in national parks in the state.

Hovercraft Case in Alaska Tests Federal Rules on Rivers in National Parks

A 9th Circuit decision—now before the U.S. Supreme Court— is being viewed by some as a potential “springboard for the expansion of federal control over state-owned navigable waters throughout the country.”

  • By Laura Maggi
Sand bags surround homes on North Topsail Beach, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, as Hurricane Florence threatens the coast. Sand bags surround homes on North Topsail Beach, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, as Hurricane Florence threatens the coast.

Despite Warnings, States in Florence’s Path Continued Coastal Development

Despite their vulnerability to both climate change and hurricanes, North and South Carolina have put in place a series of policies and laws that favor coastal developers and property owners.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts
California Gov. Jerry Brown speaking at the 2015 United Nations conference on climate change near Paris. California Gov. Jerry Brown speaking at the 2015 United Nations conference on climate change near Paris.

California’s Record on Climate Change Is a Stark Rebuttal to Trump

Governor Jerry Brown is pushing the boundaries of what a single state can do to combat the threat, which grows more tangible with each record wildfire and hurricane.

  • By Ronald Brownstein, The Atlantic
A wind farm in Palm Springs, California. A wind farm in Palm Springs, California.

What Comes Next As States Meet Renewable Energy Goals?

Half of the 29 states with a renewable portfolio standard will reach their final target year by 2021.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts
Some of the city of Pittsburgh's fleet of electrical vehicles are parked under solar charging panels before a news conference announcing the facility debut, Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in Pittsburgh. Some of the city of Pittsburgh's fleet of electrical vehicles are parked under solar charging panels before a news conference announcing the facility debut, Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in Pittsburgh.

Mayors Seek to Offset 'Diminished' Federal Role on Climate Change

They're meeting with business leaders in San Francisco this week to discuss the issue.

  • By Bill Lucia
A sailboat passing by Seal Harbor Beach on Mount Desert Island. A sailboat passing by Seal Harbor Beach on Mount Desert Island.

When the Beach Is Out of Reach—Coastal Access Becomes a Growing Concern

As Americans crowd toward the coasts, states and municipalities are caught in passionate battles about public access, while lawsuits seem headed for the U.S. Supreme Court.

  • By Timothy B. Clark
In this undated file photo, a large fir tree heads to the forest floor after it is cut by an unidentified logger in the Umpqua National Forest near Oakridge, Ore. In this undated file photo, a large fir tree heads to the forest floor after it is cut by an unidentified logger in the Umpqua National Forest near Oakridge, Ore.

Emerging Plan Would Rework Payments for Forest Counties

Two senators are working on a proposal meant to get local governments in logging country off a funding "rollercoaster."

  • By Bill Lucia
Indian Point Energy Center is seen in Buchanan, N.Y., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Indian Point Energy Center is seen in Buchanan, N.Y., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017.

Nuclear Plant Closures Bring Economic Pain to Cities and Towns

Four states have passed financial packages to help bolster nuclear plants.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

Back-to-School Time Means Kids Are Back to Breathing Their Parents’ Auto Exhaust

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Tropical Storm Gordon moves onshore … Chicago mayor’s big re-election news … a big test for Denver’s new wireless alert … and Maine files Medicaid expansion plan.

  • By Michael Grass
The Rotunda in the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton. The Rotunda in the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton.

‘Clearing the Way’ for More Strict Plastic Bag Rules in N.J.

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Obama Blvd. in Los Angeles … Michigan’s sky-high child care costs … and an education funding survey in Kansas.

  • By Michael Grass