The Environment
Illinois nuclear reactor expels radioactive steam
By Marcus Day, February 6, 2012
A nuclear reactor in Byron, Illinois, about 95 miles northwest of Chicago, released radioactive steam into the environment after an unexpected shutdown Monday morning.
Obama backs hydrofracking in State of the Union speech
By Philip Guelpa, February 2, 2012
In an attempt to curry favor with the energy industry in advance of the presidential election, President Obama used his State of the Union address to declare his backing for hydrofracking.
Death toll in Philippines flooding over a thousand
By Oliver Campbell, December 23, 2011
It appears that the collapse of dams contributed to the severity of the floods, along with deforestation, silting of the rivers and lack of government planning.
Bitter rivalries dominate Durban climate summit
By Patrick O’Connor, December 1, 2011
Durban is set to join the list of UN summits that fail to take significant action to resolve the climate change crisis—Bali, Poznan, Cancún and, most prominently, Copenhagen.
Wisconsin power plant spills coal ash into Lake Michigan
By Janel Flechsig, November 8, 2011
A dam at the We Energies Oak Creek Power Plant in Wisconsin collapsed, sending an estimated 2,500 cubic yards of coal ash into Lake Michigan last week.
Hundreds of thousands without power in wake of Northeast US storm
By Kate Randall, November 5, 2011
Nearly a week after an unusually early snowstorm hit the Northeast US, hundreds of thousands of electric customers remained without power as of Friday.
Early snowstorm wreaks havoc with northeast US
By Peter Daniels, November 1, 2011
An early snowstorm highlights the crisis of infrastructure in the US
Wildfires devastate Texas following historic drought
By Charles Abelard and Tom Carter, September 14, 2011
Funding cuts implemented earlier this year left firefighters unable to effectively combat the blazes, which have already left thousands of rural and small-town homes across the state in ruins.
Flooding causes havoc in eastern US
By Tom Eley, September 9, 2011
Heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Lee on Thursday forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from Pennsylvania and New York.
Power outages, flooding continue in wake of Hurricane Irene
By Kate Randall, September 2, 2011
The death toll from Hurricane Irene climbed to 46 on Thursday as residents in Vermont and New Jersey battled serious flooding, and significant power outages continued throughout the Northeast US.
Hurricane Irene death toll at 42 as flooding continues
By Kate Randall, August 31, 2011
The death toll from Hurricane Irene rose to 42 yesterday as inland areas of the Northeast US were still experiencing severe flooding.
Hurricane Irene leaves millions without power on US East Coast
By Kate Randall, August 29, 2011
Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast of the US this weekend, leaving more than 4 million people and businesses without power and killing at least 18.
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