Gulf Coast
‘Sacrifice zone’: Gulf Coast helps meet global natural gas needs, but at what cost?
A string of new LNG plants threatens fragile coastal communities and delays a response to the worldwide climate crisis.
The Guardian
Utilities
US utility firms spent big preparing power grid for storms – and still failed
Electric utilities spent billions after 2014’s polar vortex to ensure power plants and the grid could handle extreme cold, but this winter it still wasn’t enough.
Gulf Coast
Major US railroad merger could bring more tar sands to southeast Texas
A major merger could create the first direct route from Canadian tar sands mines to the Gulf Coast, while another proposed route would ship more of the polluting fuel from Utah.
Carbon Capture
Carbon capture project is ‘band-aid’ to greenwash $10 billion LNG plant, locals say
Texas community fights to save its coastline as the developers of Rio Grande LNG reassure investors over climate impact.
Polluting Democracy
Ohio Republicans accused of taking $60 million in bribes as corruption trial opens
Prosecutors built their racketeering case with wiretaps, undercover agents and confidential sources.
Gulf Coast
How ocean wind power could help the oil industry
The government wants to lease offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico – but the oil industry wants it for its own needs.
Gulf Coast
The cost to capture carbon? More water and electricity
Cleco wants to capture its climate emissions, raising concerns about impacts on the state’s water supplies.
Gulf Coast
Losing ground: How one New Orleans community is sinking
While land is subsiding throughout the city, industry water use has exacerbated the problem in one predominantly Black and Vietnamese area.
Power Play
Leaked: US power companies secretly spending millions to protect profits and fight clean energy
Leaked: U.S. power companies secretly spending millions to protect profits and fight clean energy One industry consulting firm has influenced politics across Florida, Alabama and at least six other states.
Power Play
A Florida power company didn’t like a journalist’s commentary. Its consultants had him followed
Consultants for Florida Power & Light, the largest electric utility in the US, conducted surveillance on a Jacksonville journalist
Gulf Coast
Industrial water use threatens Louisiana capital’s drinking water
Unchecked water use by companies like Exxon risks saltwater intrusion and undrinkable tap water.
Utilities
Why is eco-conscious California spending millions to support natural gas?
A Los Angeles-area air board faces questions over grant spending amid some of the worst air pollution in the US.