High Country News

Sacrificial Land: Will renewable energy devour the Mojave Desert?

An unlikely group of activists is championing a new bill to protect the Mojave Desert. But even if it passes, large swaths of once empty land will be developed.

by Judith Lewis Mernit, Apr 22, 2013
Redefining "renewable" to get a clean energy bill through Congress

As his retirement looms, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., pushes a "clean energy" bill, one that broadens the energy mix beyond traditional "renewable" sources.

by Judith Lewis Mernit, Apr 15, 2012
Birds get a break from blades

More than half the windmills on California’s Altamont Pass will shut down for two months this winter so migrating birds can pass safely through the area

by Patrick Farrell, Aug 08, 2005
Boulder, Colo., votes for energy independence -- from its utility

After a hard-fought political campaign the town of Boulder passed a ballot initiative allowing it to create its own municipal utility in order to help reach its ambitious environmental goals.

by Nathan Rice, Dec 27, 2011
The Latest Bounce

Libby, Mont., asbestos victims now eligible for disability; new wind-power farm to come to Colorado; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson petitions to protect his state’s roadless lands

by Jodi Peterson, Jun 12, 2006
Feds attempt to speed complicated process of building power lines

The Obama administration's electrical transmission permitting agencies are cooperating to speed grid updates and fast track clean energy projects, as demand for power grows.

by Sarah Gilman, Nov 15, 2011
This mayor sees a different shade of green

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make his city environmentally sustainable

by J.M. McCord, Jun 27, 2005
Rural Oregon timber county seeks economic revival through renewables

Rural Lake County, Ore., has gone from a timber economy to one based on producing - and exporting - renewable energy.

by Lee van der Voo, Mar 27, 2011
Two weeks in the West

Wilderness bills are coming back to life, especially one that would protect Arizona’s Tumacacori Highlands; a lot of things besides windmills are killing birds.

by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 01, 2007
Power struggle

The economic numbers behind coal and wind energy -- and energy efficiency -- are compared in Montana.

by Joan Melcher, May 23, 2010