Environment
Northern California Wildfires Still Burning As Death Toll Is Expected To Rise
Winds are expected to pick up and possibly refuel the wildfires spreading across northern California. The fires have left at least 21 people dead. But authorities say the death toll is likely to rise.
From Their Home, They Saw A Wall Of Flames And Knew They Had To Go
Emily Cocks lost her home to the Atlas Fire burning through Napa Valley in California. She speaks to NPR's Kelly McEvers about the moment she decided to leave and what she lost.
There's Gold In Them Thar Sewage Pipes, Swiss Researchers Say
Each year, more than $3 million in gold and silver winds up in Swiss wastewater, scientists found. But in most cases, it doesn't make economic sense to extract and recycle the metals.
EPA Vows To Speed Cleanup Of Toxic Superfund Sites Despite Funding Drop
Superfund was initially paid for by taxes on crude oil, chemicals and the companies that created the toxic waste sites. But those taxes expired in 1995, leaving states strapped to find the money.
What Energy Groups Think Is Wrong With The Clean Power Plan
The EPA plans to repeal the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era effort to combat climate change. Steve Inskeep talks to lawyer Jeff Holmstead, who represents a group which has challenged the plan in court.
How Much Can The Repeal Of The Clean Power Plan Help The Declining Coal Industry?
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has formally begun the process to repeal the Clean Power Plan and coal states are welcoming the action. But the industry is still declining throughout the country.
In California, Wildfires Level Parts Of Santa Rosa
NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with Santa Rosa County Assistant Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal about the wildfires affecting Northern California.
Armed With NASA Data, South Korea Confronts Its Choking Smog
The U.S. space agency and the South Korean government teamed up for the most ambitious study of Korean air quality to date and found the majority of the toxic air is homegrown, and not from neighbors.
Trump White House Reverses Obama-Era Curbs On Coal Plants
Rachel Martin talks to former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, who helped finalize the Clean Power Plan. She talks to Rachel Martin about the Trump administration's moves to scrap that rule.