2022 was a big year for EV battery plants, and 2023 could be even bigger
2022 was a record-setting year for investing in EV battery plants in the U.S. and there's a good chance 2023 will be even bigger.
Energy
Republicans plan more attacks on ESG. Investors still plan to focus on climate risk
Investors still view climate change as a serious financial risk. But Republican attacks could have a chilling effect on the kinds of actions they're willing to take to deal with the problem.
The nation's electrical grids were tested over the last week. Did they pass?
The recent winter storm could have created another disaster: massive power outages. But luck and planning kept the electricity flowing — for the most part.
Transitioning away from coal leaves Navajo communities struggling
Despite years of warnings about coal mines and power plants shutting down on the Navajo Reservation, promised funding to help an economic transition has failed to materialize.
4 power substations on Washington state's electrical grid were attacked on Christmas
This brings the total of reported attacks on the Northwest power grid to 10 since November. Attacks on substations in the Pacific Northwest have heightened concerns about grid vulnerabilities.
Russia's economy is still working but sanctions are starting to have an effect
Despite unprecedented sanctions, Russia's economy is still functioning and it's still attacking Ukraine. That's led to questions about whether the sanctions are effective.
Climate activists are fuming as Germany turns to coal to replace Russian gas
Germany is firing up coal plants and importing liquefied natural gas to shore up energy supplies. Activists are carrying out increasingly disruptive protests, gluing themselves to roads and runways.
With reservoirs at low levels, the federal government cuts water deliveries
The two largest reservoirs in the U.S., Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are at low levels and electricity generation is at risk. The federal government cut water deliveries and wants states to cut more.
How life got pricier (and, yes, cheaper!) this year — in 7 charts
Boy, have we talked a lot about inflation. It affected every part of our lives (and the economy) in 2022. Here are some of its highest highs and lowest lows. (It wasn't all bad news!)
After the Fukushima disaster, Japan swore to phase out nuclear power. But not anymore
Japan adopted a plan to extend the lifespan of nuclear reactors, replace the old and even build new ones, a major shift in a country scarred by the Fukushima disaster.