Ashley Ahearn

October 17, 2014

While the US is using less coal than we have in the past, we plan to export more coal to Asia. That means transporting it by trains, as we’ve done for decades. But there’s very little research on the effects coal has on the environment when it escapes from coal hoppers bumping along the rails.

Environment

Worried about radioactive 'Fukushima' fish in the US? Don't be, scientists say

The World

January 20, 2014

Nearly three years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, many consumers in the US remain concerned about radiation in fish from the Pacific Ocean. One Seattle fisherman finally got his fish tested, and found what many scientists have also found: there's nothing to worry about.

Environment

Environmentalists and coal interests fight it out in a small Washington State election

The World

October 28, 2013

With national policy on climate and energy in political gridlock, the opponents are fighting in local and state trenches. That's why money is pouring into a small county north of Seattle, where there's a debate over a shipping terminal that would send coal to Asia.

Oil Train Concerns in the Pacific Northwest

Living on Earth

July 19, 2013

Plans are underway to build several port terminals in the Pacific Northwest that would transfer North Dakota oil from trains onto ships bound for West Coast refineries, but the recent oil train disaster in Quebec may put the brakes on the proposed projects.

Another Coal Port Bites The Dust

Living on Earth

May 10, 2013

Developers are trying to build port facilities in the Pacific Northwest to ship Powder Ridge Basin coal to Asia, but half of the proposed projects have been canceled. Most recently, Kinder Morgan dumped its plans to build a facility at the Port of St. Helen’s on the Columbia River in Oregon.

Voices of Coal

Living on Earth

March 15, 2013

In order to market coal to Asia, the western US coal industry wants to build export facilities in Oregon and Washington. The planned ports have divided local communities. EarthFix, a public radio collaborative based out of Washington State, has been following the debate with their project, Voices of Coal.

Road Salt Report

Living on Earth

March 08, 2013

Every year the nation uses more than 20 million tons of salt to clear snow and ice from winter roads. While it may make the roads safer, scientists say salt may have the opposite effect on drinking water and wildlife. Living on Earth’s Ashley Ahearn reports.

A Look Back at the Birth of the Clean Water Act

Living on Earth

December 28, 2012

When rivers were on fire and fish were washing up dead by the thousands Americans came together to demand "swimmable" "fishable" waterways for all. 1972 marks the creation of the Act that changed the way water pollution is managed in America.

Environment

Plan to ship Wyoming coal to Asia runs into opposition from Northwest greens

The World

September 12, 2012

With coal use falling fast in the US but still growing in Asia, western coal producers are pitching a plan to build five big new coal export terminals in Washington and Oregon, but opponents warn of big new environmental risks.

Skin Color and Vitamin D

Living on Earth

August 31, 2012

Dark-skinned African Americans are twice as likely to be vitamin-D deficient as white Americans, and that may have major health repercussions.

Ashley Ahearn

Scientists dig into booming coal exports and their effects on wetlands

Worried about radioactive 'Fukushima' fish in the US? Don't be, scientists say

Environmentalists and coal interests fight it out in a small Washington State election

Oil Train Concerns in the Pacific Northwest

Another Coal Port Bites The Dust

Voices of Coal

Road Salt Report

A Look Back at the Birth of the Clean Water Act

Plan to ship Wyoming coal to Asia runs into opposition from Northwest greens

Skin Color and Vitamin D

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