The Latest Breaking News from the Department of Energy

Many stable atoms have ‘magic numbers’ of protons and neutrons − 75 years ago, 2 physicists discovered their special properties

The word magic is not often used in the context of science. But in the early 1930s, scientists discovered that some atomic nuclei – the center part of atoms, which make up all matter – were more stable than others. These nuclei had specific numbers of protons or neutrons, or…

The Conversation · Oct 7, 2024

US nuclear weapon production sites violated environmental rules, federal judge decides

A U.S. Judge has ruled that the National Nuclear Security Administration failed to properly evaluate its expansion of plutonium pit production at two sites in New Mexico and South Carolina in violation of environmental regulations

The Independent UK · Oct 3, 2024

Nuclear Fuel Prices Are Surging. Here's the 1 Stock to Buy.

The price of fuel for nuclear reactors has outpaced raw uranium since the start of 2022. This indicates that conversion is the biggest bottleneck, and the weakest link, in the nuclear fuel supply chain. Russia controls 22% of global uranium conversion capacity and 44% of enrichment capacity - but that's…

Barchart · Oct 1, 2024

Making fuels from plastics in Newaygo, Michigan, would be controversial – here’s why

Humans generate a lot of plastic waste – more than 400 million metric tons a year.

The Conversation · Sep 11, 2024

17 Ways to Cut Your Energy Bill

Whatever the direction of utility prices, it pays to make moves that reduce your energy usage. Here are 17 ways to use less energy at home and lower your utility bills.

Kiplinger · Sep 1, 2024

DOE Grants $2.2 Billion Funding To Strengthen Electrical Grid, Advance Clean Energy

The Department of Energy announced a funding of $2.2 billion, which would help strengthen the U.S. electrical grid.

International Business Times · Aug 6, 2024

Offshore wind farms connected by an underwater power grid for transmission could revolutionize how the East Coast gets its electricity

Offshore winds have the potential to supply coastlines with massive, consistent flows of clean electricity. One study estimates wind farms just offshore could meet 11 times the projected global electricity demand in 2040.

The Conversation · Jul 31, 2024

Demand for rare elements used in clean energy could help clean up abandoned coal mines in Appalachia

In the hills of West Virginia, researchers are hoping to realize a long-term dream of cleaning up poisonous groundwaters that flow out of old coal mines

The Independent UK · Jul 11, 2024

Death of Biden’s gas export pause

Climate activists saw the policy as a major win. It fizzled out within six months

Salon · Jul 10, 2024

Lawsuit: Biden Administration Rules That Make Dishwashers, Laundry Machines Worse Also Illegal

The plaintiffs argue that the Department of Energy has no legal authority to impose its own water use limits on energy-consuming home appliances.

Reason · Jun 14, 2024