Inside Energy

The Obama Administration is spending a lot of time these days defending their so-called clean power plan - new regulations on power plants aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions. The idea is to make sure CO2 levels in 2030 are 30 percent lower than they were in 2005. To get there, the feds assigned each state a target emissions reduction rate. Some states have a lot to cut -- over 70 percent in Washington. Others much less -- in North Dakota, just 11 percent.

Inside Energy reporter Emily Guerin wanted to know why.

The Obama Administration is spending a lot of time these days defending their so-called clean power plan - new regulations on power plants aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions. The idea is to make sure CO2 levels in 2030 are 30 percent lower than they were in 2005. To get there, the feds assigned each state a target emissions reduction rate. Some states have a lot to cut -- over 70 percent in Washington. Others much less -- in North Dakota, just 11 percent.

Inside Energy reporter Emily Guerin wanted to know why.

Oil and gas booms can seem remote -- it’s not like they happen in your backyard. Unless they do. Take Laramie County, Wyoming, where a surge in well permitting is threatening to bring drilling closer to a large number of homes. Although Wyoming has a long history with oil and gas, it’s almost always been in rural areas. Wyoming Public Radio’s Stephanie Joyce reports for Inside Energy that some say the state is ill-prepared to deal with the issues that arise when communities bump up against drilling.

Colorado is quickly becoming ground zero for a political war over the future of fracking. Drill operations are pushing deeper into populated areas these days and some local governments and activists are supporting ballot measures that would give communities greater control over the industry. To avoid a political battle in November, Governor John Hickenlooper is rushing to craft a compromise bill right now that could be passed by a special session of the state legislature. But already, political spending both pro and con is washing over Colorado. Dan Boyce with our Inside Energy team reports.

The transport of crude oil by rail has spiked dramatically in recent years. From 2012 to 2013 the amount carried by the country's major freight railroads increased nearly 75 percent. That’s according to the American Association of Railroads. Amid growing public concern about safety, new federal regulations went into effect this weekend to make sure local emergency authorities are notified when some trains come through. Grace Hood of KUNC reports for Inside Energy.

Colorado is quickly becoming ground zero for a political war over the future of fracking.

Drill operations are pushing deeper into populated areas these days and some local governments and activists are supporting ballot measures that would give communities greater control over the industry.

To avoid a political battle in November, Governor John Hickenlooper is rushing to craft a compromise bill right now that could be passed by a special session of the state legislature.

But already, political spending both pro and con is washing over Colorado.

Dan Boyce with our Inside Energy team reports.

It didn’t take long after the Obama administration unveiled new rules this week regulating carbon emissions from power plants for people to start naming winners and losers. Wyoming, the nation’s largest coal-producing state, and a huge coal consumer, was immediately billed as a loser. But, as Wyoming Public Radio’s Stephanie Joyce reports FOR INSIDE ENERGY, the reality is more complicated than that.

It didn’t take long after the Obama administration unveiled new rules this week regulating carbon emissions from power plants for people to start naming winners and losers. Wyoming, the nation’s largest coal-producing state, and a huge coal consumer, was immediately billed as a loser. But, as Wyoming Public Radio’s Stephanie Joyce reports FOR INSIDE ENERGY, the reality is more complicated than that.

It didn’t take long after the Obama administration unveiled new rules this week regulating carbon emissions from power plants for people to start naming winners and losers. Wyoming, the nation’s largest coal-producing state, and a huge coal consumer, was immediately billed as a loser. But, as Wyoming Public Radio’s Stephanie Joyce reports FOR INSIDE ENERGY, the reality is more complicated than that.

New EPA rules aimed at cutting carbon emissions are expected to be unveiled June 2nd. It’s a big deal. Coal generates nearly half of this country’s electricity and is the largest source of air pollution. The new rules are expected to spur the use of clean coal technology. At least that’s the hope of both the coal industry and some environmental groups. Marfa Public Radio’s Lorne Matalon has this report for ‘Inside Energy’ on a clean coal project in west Texas---one of two in the country.