Energy & Environment
The latest updates on energy and environment news, analysis and opinion covering energy policy and its impact on resources and climate.
U.S. adds 172,000 jobs in May as 2026 hiring streak continues, government says
The U.S. added 172,000 jobs in May, the government said in a report that far exceeded expectations and continued a robust run of hiring after a sluggish 2025.
Tyco agrees to $10 million settlement with Wisconsin over PFAS water contamination
The manufacturer of a firefighting foam that contaminated the water supply in northeastern Wisconsin with PFAS chemicals for decades agreed to a $10 million settlement with the state, the governor and attorney general announced on Thursday.
Man charged with throwing rock at endangered Hawaiian seal
Federal prosecutors are now charging a Washington state man accused of throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal.
Five villagers missing in a flooded Laos cave for more than a week have been found alive
Five villagers stuck in a flooded cave in central Laos for more than a week were found alive, rescuers said Wednesday, but two others are missing.
Innovative rare-earth minerals project could reset South Africa’s rocky relationship with Trump
A proposed U.S.-backed investment in a South African rare-earth project is emerging as an unlikely bright spot in relations strained by disputes over Israel, refugee policy and South Africa’s growing ties to China.
Exceptionally early heat wave shatters records in Europe; at least seven deaths reported
Firefighters battled a grass fire in Edinburgh and temperature records toppled as a spring heatwave scorched parts of Western Europe, triggering government warnings about risks to life.
Search continues for seven villagers trapped in a flooded Laos cave
Rescuers tried to reach seven villagers trapped inside a flooded cave in Laos for the seventh day on Tuesday, with difficult terrain and weather impeding their efforts. There has been no contact with them since they became trapped.
Heat at French Open impacts clay courts and sends fans to sprinklers
Tennis players at the French Open say they haven’t experienced conditions this hot at Roland Garros since the Paris Olympics.
Oil prices dip as markets anticipate potential U.S.-Iran peace deal
Oil prices nosedived Monday amid hopes of a deal to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Leopard gets loose at Washington state zoo before returning safely to habitat
An 11-year-old female clouded leopard managed to slip her restraints during a show Friday at a zoo in Washington state and climb into a tree.
Trump rolls back refrigerant-chemical regs in bid to lower grocery prices
President Trump said Thursday that he is easing federal rules requiring companies to phase out certain chemicals used in commercial refrigeration.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declares emergency over $300 million loss in crops
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency after mid-April weather caused roughly $300 million in agricultural losses, news outlets report.
Energy shock from Iran war to weigh on Europe’s growth, boost inflation
The European Union’s executive commission cut its growth outlook and predicted higher inflation due to sharply higher energy prices from the war in Iran - but said the economy will avoid an outright recession.
Russia accused of plundering Ukraine’s grain, coal and minerals in occupied territories
First, Russia took Ukraine’s land. Now, Ukrainian officials and legal experts say, Moscow is stripping and selling what lies above and beneath it.
Officials can’t explain yearslong delays in pipe repairs before Potomac’s historic sewage spill
DC Water’s top executive told Congress Wednesday that federal officials still have not explained why they never approved repairs to the aging sewer line that ruptured this winter, spewing nearly 250 million gallons of untreated human waste into the Potomac River.
Putin and Xi hail their high-level ties and growing energy trade as they meet in Beijing
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed their strategic ties and growing energy trade as they met in Beijing Wednesday, only days after a visit by U.S. President Trump to China.
Two Americans accused of trespassing at Japanese zoo enclosure for famous baby macaque Punch
Two Americans are accused of trespassing in the monkey enclosure at the Japanese zoo housing the famous baby macaque Punch.
Scientists uncover 1,100 unknown marine species — a record year for ocean discovery
A global marine research team discovered more than 1,100 new ocean species in a single year, news outlets report.
