Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Energy

Higher Gas Prices Alone Won’t Make Cleaner Cars a Reality

By Elana Schor | Nov 20, 2009 | 6 Comments

The average carbon emissions of U.S. vehicles. (Image: EPA) It’s a storyline that the media and the auto industry have embraced: Higher gas prices are the magic ingredient that U.S. carmakers need in order to sell more fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers. The narrative is tempting, especially for those who believe federal gas taxes need to […]

Oil-Centric Houston to Experiment With (Coal-Powered) Electric Cars

By Elana Schor | Nov 18, 2009 | No Comments

Houston has long enjoyed its status as America’s oil capital, the type of city where the local Petroleum Club threw a $100,000 gala during a period of then-record high gas prices. But things are changing, thanks to a light rail system that is exceeding ridership predictions and encouraging pedestrian-friendly development. One of Houston’s new charging […]

Introducing the Samuelson Gas Tax Increase: A Penny Every Month

By Elana Schor | Nov 17, 2009 | No Comments

Democratic lawmakers are discussing the possibility of a one-year stopgap transportation bill but have yet to reach consensus on how to pay for the measure, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) said today. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) (Photo: Politics Daily) Carper, speaking at a National Journal policy conference, said the prospects for short-term transport legislation still depend […]

New Business Group Launches to Push Regional Electric Vehicles

By Elana Schor | Nov 16, 2009 | 1 Comment

Washington’s love affair with electric vehicles continued today with the launch of the Electrification Coalition, an alliance of 13 companies hailing from the auto, shipping, and utility industries that have endorsed a $130 billion pitch for a region-by-region transition to battery-powered cars. The Coalition’s proposal was developed by consulting firm PRTM and Securing America’s Future […]

Coal-Burning Electric Utilities Still Commanding Dem Senators’ Attention

By Elana Schor | Nov 13, 2009 | No Comments

As reported here yesterday, transportation is a close second to electric power generation in the not-so-great race to become the nation’s fastest-rising source of emissions. Minnesota roads, like this one, produce a greater share of the state’s pollution than electric utilities. (Photo: MPR) So as the climate change debate heats up in the Senate, it’s […]

Which is the Fastest-Rising U.S. Emissions Source: Transport or Electricity?

By Elana Schor | Nov 12, 2009 | 1 Comment

The climate change bills being considered by Congress treat electric utilities very well, giving more than a third of the revenue generated by CO2 regulation away — for free — to power providers. This move pleased coal country Democrats while seeking to lock down benefits for consumers by averting electricity rate hikes. But did the […]

Show More Stories