by Kimberly Larson on June 23, 2012

Two dangerous coal export incidents last week, one in Virginia and one in B.C., remind us not only that the proposed coal export terminals in the Northwest are very risky for rail-line communities and those close to the terminals, but also that coal is a very different commodity from other bulk exports.

by Elizabeth Willmott on June 17, 2012

Hillsboro, OR, Boise, ID, and Issaquah, WA joined the New Energy Cities community in Spring 2012

by Tom Osdoba on June 5, 2012

Recently, many cities have begun taking another look at district energy to address their energy challenges. Whether they are championing strategies to secure energy supplies, insulate themselves from price instability, or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cities are finding district energy can do all of these simultaneously.

by Patrick Mazza on May 15, 2012

Biochar has had an interesting run over the past several years. As with so many other emerging climate solutions, biochar burst into public awareness a few years back with a wave of grassroots enthusiasm. 

by Tom Osdoba on May 9, 2012

Why are we so afraid of carbon pricing? Whenever this topic is raised, people get tense, nervous, or outraged out of all proportion to the actual impact that putting a price on carbon would have for most of us.

by Tom Osdoba on April 16, 2012

Carbon neutral cities require three components: policy and institutional innovations; organized capital; and extensive outreach, education and public engagement.

by Patrick Mazza on April 12, 2012

The BioCycle Conference in Portland April 16-19 focused on the new economics of materials and natural services – harnessing organic wastes with processes that make valuable goods, and valuing ecological services to send the right signals on the use of nature in general.

by Tom Osdoba on April 3, 2012

Do current utility models have anything to offer us in solving our energy dilemma – transforming our system by driving radical efficiency improvements, smart infrastructure, and multiple kinds of distributed, renewable energy technologies?

by Patrick Mazza on March 30, 2012

What do yard trimmings, food waste, woody materials, biosolids, manure, municipal solid waste and other organic residues have to do with cooling our overheating climate? 

by Rhys Roth on March 29, 2012

Climate change can sometimes seem like the proliferation of bizarre ‘reality TV’, a problem so huge and entrenched only those with a Quixote complex would be crazy enough to tackle it.