Energy and Natural Resources

1 Case Study: “Three Friends” and the Texas Wind Industry
1 The Changing Price of Oil Relative to Gold
1 The Future of the American Coal Industry

Coal is abundant, reliable and affordable, and states that use it to generate at least half of their electricity pay up to 30 percent less for energy than states that depend on other energy sources.
1 Critical Minerals: Rare Earths and the U.S. Economy

Rare earths are 17 elements in the Earth’s crust used in a variety of applications, from hybrid cars and x-ray units to cell phones and wind turbines. When it comes to little-known resources, rare ear…
1 The Potential of Thorium for Safer, Cleaner and Cheaper Energy

Nuclear energy promised to generate low-cost electricity safely, with fewer environmental and health problems from air and water pollution than fossil-fueled power plants. For a number of reasons, tha…
1 The Growing Benefits of a Warmer World

Earth’s climate has changed many times throughout its history. During the last century and a half, average temperatures have risen modestly, though the warming trend has stalled for the past 16 years.…
1 Do Bans on Plastic Grocery Bags Save Cities Money?

Consumers choose plastic bags far more often than paper or reusable bags to carry their purchases. Compared to paper and reusable bags, plastic bags are lightweight, strong, flexible and moisture resi…
1 Can We Put a Price on Nature?

Nature provides a variety of services to mankind. Forests and wetlands, for example, filter pollutants, cleaning the water. Weathering, microbes, and various plants and insects create and enrich the s…