Author Archive
North American Natural Gas Seeks Markets Overseas
Posted by National Geographic: Joe Eaton on March 20th, 2014
National Geographic: North America's natural gas boom is now so big that the industry and its supporters believe it should not be contained to just one continent.
They argue this new bounty should be shared-especially with hungry markets in Asia and Europe willing to pay a high price for the fuel. But long-distance transport of natural gas is one of the world's most expensive engineering feats, and it will require government approvals, community support, and billions of dollars in capital to take North American gas...
Battles Escalate Over Community Efforts to Ban Fracking
Posted by National Geographic: Joe Eaton on August 23rd, 2013
National Geographic: As President Obama visits upstate New York and northeastern Pennsylvania this week to discuss his education agenda, a separate issue looms large in the background: fracking, a practice that has transformed Pennsylvania's economy and divided New York, where a moratorium is in place.
Protesters on both sides of the issue are expected to greet the President. And while his trip highlights many unresolved issues related to America's new wealth of natural gas and oil, a growing number of communities...
Record Heat, Drought Pose Problems for U.S. Electric Power
Posted by National Geographic: Joe Eaton on August 17th, 2012
National Geographic: Record heat and drought conditions across the United States this summer have plagued power plants that require cool water to produce electricity.
From Connecticut to California, high water temperatures and diminished access to water caused by drought have forced a number of power plants to ramp down production or acquire waivers to operate with cooling water above regulated temperatures. At least one plant has suspended operations.
Many nuclear plants have struggled this summer with cooling...