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  • ‘Volcano hunter’: I stood 30 yards from lake of boiling lava

    A month ago, adventurer Geoff Mackley stood in a place no human had ever been before: only 30 yards above a roiling lake of lava in an active volcano on a South Pacific island. The stunning photos and video that the volcanologist from New Zealand took after a 15-year quest produced awe — and a […]

  • Average Energy Cost Nearly double since 2001

    On average, energy costs have nearly doubled as a fraction of annual family budgets since 2001. The unequal distribution of incomes in the United States imposes disproportionate energy cost burdens on minority and senior households. The average after-tax incomes of low- and middle-income U.S. families have not grown since 2001. Meanwhile, inflation has eroded 27% […]

  • Last 6 Months Hottest on Record

    The year 2012 continues on a record warm pace, according to a report released July 9. In the June “State of the Climate” report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found the first half of 2012 was the record warmest January-June period for the Lower 48 States, in records dating to 1895. In all, […]

  • Electricity shock as power bills rise

    The likely doubling is because households will pick up the tab for government green programs – meaning average electricity users face finding an extra $320 to $440. It comes on top of a warning from pricing regulator IPART, which had told consumers to expect July 1 jumps of only 10-13 per cent – to pay […]

  • Texas Regulators OK 50 Percent Hike In Wholesale Electricity Price Cap

    The Texas Public Utility Commission voted Thursday to approve a 50 percent increase in the wholesale electricity price cap in a move it hopes will spur construction of more power plants. The increase becomes effective on Aug. 1 and it could be just the start. Commissioners are considering, but aren’t yet expected to vote on, […]

  • Americans rank saving energy ahead of vacations

    WASHINGTON (AP) — As summer beckons, it seems Americans are thinking more about the stifling cost of energy than about making tracks to the beach. Cutting energy bills and use is a bigger deal to them than taking a vacation or scoring the latest smartphone or tablet, according to a survey by the AP-NORC Center […]

  • Mayor to propose Seattle City Light rate increase of 31% over 6 years

    Seattle City Light customers would pay 31 percent more over six years, under a proposal to be announced Monday by Mayor Mike McGinn. Mayor Mike McGinn will propose a 31 percent rate increase over six years for Seattle City Light customers, at a news conference scheduled for Monday morning. The rate hikes, which average 4.7 […]