Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Keystone XL oil pipeline deal jeopardized by Nebraska commission’s alternative route
Nebraska regulators set out this week to finally approve the long-awaited Keystone XL oil pipeline. Instead, specialists say, they may have killed it. Published November 21, 2017
Keystone XL oil pipeline route OK’d by Nebraska, eliminating last major hurdle for project
After nearly a decade of debate that turned the project into a national flashpoint over energy development and environmentalism, the Keystone XL oil pipeline cleared Monday what looked to be its final regulatory hurdle in Nebraska -- but it's still not clear whether the project will be completed. Published November 20, 2017
Keystone XL pipeline leak in South Dakota prompts environmental groups to take action
With Nebraska state regulators set to announce their decision on the fate of the Keystone XL pipeline this week, environmentalists and other opponents are seizing on last week's oil spill in South Dakota in a last-ditch effort to kill the project. Published November 19, 2017
Roy Moore fights establishment Republicans calling for him to quit Senate race
Even as he craters in the polls and faces growing calls from Republicans to drop out of the race, Alabama Senate hopeful Roy Moore over the weekend cast his candidacy as a fight against the political establishment and said Republican leaders are trying to silence voters in his state. Published November 19, 2017
Steven Mnuchin, Treasury secretary, sees ‘compliment’ in Bond villain comparison
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday he considers it a "compliment" to be compared to a James Bond movie villain. Published November 19, 2017
Bernie Sanders won’t say whether Bill Clinton should have resigned over Lewinsky affair
Sen. Bernard Sanders wouldn't say Sunday whether former President Bill Clinton should have resigned in the wake of his affair with then-White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Published November 19, 2017
White House OK with removing Obamacare individual mandate repeal from tax bill
White House officials on Sunday said they're open to removing from the Senate tax reform package a provision to scrap the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate if it becomes an "impediment" to passing a broader tax bill. Published November 19, 2017
Tim Scott says Roy Moore should quit Alabama race, ‘find something else to do’
Sen. Tim Scott on Sunday called for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore to "find something else to do." Published November 19, 2017
Greenhouse gas plan being worked out by Republicans, Democrats
Amid a raging debate about how the U.S. should approach climate change, Republicans and Democrats on a key Senate panel Wednesday sought common ground on the best ways to continue reducing the nation's greenhouse gas emissions through research, innovation and private-sector leadership. Published November 15, 2017
Jerry Brown seems miserable at U.N. climate conference
California Gov. Jerry Brown is one of the most prominent American officials at this week's United Nations climate conference in Germany, but the 79-year-old Democrat doesn't seem to be having a good time. Published November 13, 2017
Paris deal failing? Global emissions up 2% despite U.S. drop; Chinese pollution skyrockets
Two years after nearly every nation on earth signed the landmark Paris climate accord, researchers say the deal is failing to live up to its mission as China drives a spike in global carbon emissions, reversing years of steady decline. Published November 13, 2017
U.S. emissions standards target vowed by liberal governors at climate conference
The liberal governors of California, Washington and Oregon took the place of President Trump Sunday at an international climate change conference in Germany, and told world leaders that the White House's refusal to combat global warming means nothing to them. Published November 12, 2017
After Northam win, Virginia set to unveil cap-and-trade plan
With the certainty that a Democrat will run the state for the next four years, Virginia next week is expected to unveil its own ambitious plan to cut greenhouse-gas emissions with a cap-and-trade proposal similar to the ones already in place across the Northeast. Published November 10, 2017
Bill Wehrum narrowly confirmed by Senate to lead key EPA air office
The Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed President Trump's pick to head the EPA's office of air and radiation, widely considered the second most important post at the agency. Published November 9, 2017
China Energy, world’s largest power company, to invest $83 billion in West Virginia shale gas
China Energy, the world's leading power company, announced Thursday it plans to spend more than $83 billion on shale gas and chemical projects in West Virginia, a deal that represents a massive foreign investment in American energy. Published November 9, 2017
Ethanol industry leaders thank Donald Trump in new TV ad
With his approval ratings tanking, President Trump got a badly needed show of support this week from the ethanol industry. Published November 8, 2017
Carl Icahn, ex-Trump adviser, subpoenaed over efforts to influence ethanol policy
Billionaire investor and former presidential adviser Carl Icahn has been subpoenaed over his attempts to influence federal ethanol policy, including his call for changes to biofuels programs that would've benefited his businesses. Published November 8, 2017
Syria to sign Paris climate deal; U.S. now only holdout
President Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord has now officially left the U.S. standing alone on the global stage, with Syria, the only other holdout, declaring Tuesday it will join the deal and commit to reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions. Published November 7, 2017
Senate panel narrowly approves two controversial EPA nominees
A Senate panel on Wednesday approved two controversial nominees for top jobs at the Environmental Protection Agency in highly contentious party-line votes, prompting Democrats to charge that whatever goodwill existed between the two sides is now gone. Published October 25, 2017
Trump administration to offer 76M acres for offshore drilling, largest lease sale in U.S. history
The Trump administration is putting more than 76 million acres of federal water up for lease in the largest offshore drilling initiative in American history. Published October 24, 2017
