Articles
An Interview with FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee
Neil Chatterjee answers questions about the role of FERC and his philosophy on a number of energy regulatory issues. October 21, 2019
What to Prioritize – Retrofits or New Construction?
In a world of limited resources, should our strategy to decarbonize the building sector focus on retrofits or new construction? July 3, 2019
Dear Citizen, Would You Like to Be a Scientist?
Participating in citizen science initiatives has never been easier. Here’s a list of top resources to participate in or create your own projects. December 2, 2017
10 Ways You Can Be a Better Advocate for Science
Whether interacting with lawmakers, the media, or the public, these tips and resources will help you better communicate your science. April 20, 2017
What a Trump Presidency Means for Science
An examination of the impact of Trump’s Presidency on science funding, climate change, and the role of science in government. November 15, 2016
I Returned to Speak at My High School Alma Mater, and Here’s What I Decided to Say
A journey home to speak to students about my experiences as a scientist takes an unexpected turn after I have meaningful conversations with two people from my past. July 6, 2016
Techniques for Organizing, Curating, and Presenting Content on the Web
This article provides techniques on how to organize your online research. It covers tagging articles, working with teams, image acquisition and publication. November 20, 2015
Supercharge Your Internet Research with These Essential Tips
When conducting research on the Internet, it can be tough to know where to start. Using climate and energy policy as an example, I provide some useful tips. November 9, 2015
How Big Data is Transforming Science
I highlight examples of how the Big Data revolution is transforming the way science is conducted. This summary of the 2015 IDIES Symposium includes research into health care, climate, urban planning, materials science, and more. October 18, 2015
Debunking the Notion That Climate Scientists Are Just in It for the Money
Some climate deniers argue that scientists only pretend to believe in climate change because their research grants depend on it. These arguments are not only slanderous, but expose a deep misunderstanding of how the scientific funding process. September 14, 2015
Is the Universe a Giant Fractal?
A mathematical examination of the theory that the Universe is actually a fractal. January 1, 2015
FOIA – We Are Making Progress
Despite its challenges, the Freedom of Information Act has had its share of successes. And if recent developments are any indication, the power of FOIA is only bound to improve. March 10, 2014
The Obama Failure
There was widespread hope that President Obama would usher in a new era of open government. Yet according to many journalists, the situation has only grown worse. Part 4 of a 5 part series. March 5, 2014
Freedom of Information Act to the Rescue?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) offers the promise of an open government. Too often, however, publicly funded research is buried, redacted or otherwise hidden from public view. Part 3 of a 5 part series. March 3, 2014
Uninformed Politicians are Dangerous
There is widening divide between peer-reviewed scientific consensus and what is accepted in popular and political circles. While restoring scientific literacy to government is no easy project, it is one we must undertake. December 15, 2013
Johns Hopkins Feels the Power with Its Cogeneration Plant
I take a tour of JHU’s new cogeneration plant, a building that supplies both electricity and steam heat to the Homewood campus. The plant is so efficient that it will pay for itself in seven years. November 21, 2013
Climate and Energy Primary Sources
For those interested in climate, energy and policy I have aggregated a list of agencies and organizations that do work in this domain. August 16, 2013
The Government’s Silence of Science
Despite ample scientific evidence that coal fly ash is toxic, it remains unregulated in the United States due to political influence. Part 2 of a 5 part series. March 25, 2013
The Kingston Disaster
In the early morning hours of December 22, 2008, a dike separating 5.4 million cubic yards of coal combustion waste product from the outside world breached. Part 1 of a 5 part series. March 18, 2013
My Silver Bullet for Solving the Energy Crisis
If you needed one silver bullet policy in your pocket to solve the energy crisis, what should it be? May 21, 2012
Congress Says Yes to James Webb Space Telescope, WFIRST – Details of the NASA Appropriations Bills
The House and Senate have released their 2013 NASA appropriations bills. Where is the funding going? May 12, 2012
US Congress Decides Astronomy Deserves 244 Million Dollars from National Science Foundation
According to the latest Congressional budget, of the $7.3 billion in NSF funding, about 3.4% of that is directed to astronomy research. May 11, 2012
What ShamWow Can Teach Democrats about Winning Elections
Psychological research indicates that starting from an extreme position can make the final compromise more palatable than if it were introduced at the start. April 23, 2012
Why It Is So Difficult to Convince People That You Are Right
One of the biggest reasons it is difficult to convince someone of your argument is that facts and rationality often take a back seat to cultural commitments. February 29, 2012
Is the Universe Predetermined and Do Humans Have Free Will?
For most of human history, the question of free will fell squarely within the jurisdiction of philosophers and theologians. Today science, physics in particular, can speak more forcefully on the issue. February 10, 2012
Federal Obligations for Research by Detailed Science Engineering Field
Using information provided by the National Science Board’s Science and Engineering Indicators 2012, I illustrate how much financial support Washington has provided for US scientists since 1989. February 8, 2012
Is Dark Matter Just an Illusion?
If Dragan Hajdukovic’s new theory is to be believed, dark matter is not merely invisible – it is totally nonexistent. January 28, 2012
The James Webb Space Telescope Lives!
Earlier today President Obama signed 2012’s NASA appropriations bill into law. The good news is that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) isn’t dead! November 18, 2011
Our Planet’s Carbon Budget: How Much Does Each Source Produce, How High Can We Go, and What Would Be the Impact of Keystone XL
I briefly summarize the sizes of Earth’s fossil fuel carbon deposits and how much each can contribute to the deterioration of our planet’s climate system. November 9, 2011
Mythbusters: Oil Creates Jobs and Makes Us Safer Edition
In instances where job growth, energy security and profit run counter to each other, “pro-oil” policies intended to create jobs and security can more than just miss their target. They can be directly counterproductive. September 27, 2011
Achieving Energy Security and Independence Through Collaboration and Competition – Summary from National Clean Energy Summit
On Tuesday, August 30 the National Clean Energy Summit was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The following is a summary of the panel discussion. September 4, 2011
Western Governors Brown, Gregoire, and Sandoval Discuss Renewable Energy at the National Clean Energy Summit
On Tuesday, August 30 the National Clean Energy Summit was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The following is a summary of a panel discussion on Western clean energy efforts. September 3, 2011
Government should oppose Keystone XL Pipeline
The Keystone XL Pipeline, designed to pump unrefined oil tar sands from Alberta, Canada, to Texas, won a critical victory when the U.S. State Department concluded the project posed “no significant impacts” to the environment. This conclusion is horribly misaligned with reality. September 1, 2011
How Will Consumers Benefit from a Clean Energy Future?
The following is a summary from a panel at the National Clean Energy Summit on the new smart grid, green buildings, electric vehicles and manufacturing. August 30, 2011
How to Make the World Run Forever (alternate title: how to kill Kit Kat in 3 easy steps)
The common condition that many businesses operate under is the myth that they have access to unlimited resources, aren’t connected to nature, and have no role with respect to sustainability overall. August 2, 2012
Why Facts Will Not Convince People of Climate Change
One’s political affiliation, which is really a statement of preferences, values and morals, can dictate which facts he chooses to accept. June 1, 2011
Climate Deniers Claim Liberals Don’t Understand Their Arguments – I Present Their Points and My Response
There are differences between “natural” climate change and that caused by human activity. May 28, 2011
Orange County Out-Dumbs Itself
An AP class addressing global climate change now requires instructors to teach opposing views on “controversial issues.” May 19, 2011
Green Roofs in New York City May Be an Effective Adaptation to Flooding
Lowering the strain on NYC’s immutable sewage infrastructure requires a new solution – green roofs. May 19, 2011
Federal Investment in Common Sense
There are many reasons to be dismayed by the federal budget crisis. But perhaps the most concerning aspect is that the debate isn’t really about the budget. April 13, 2011
A Republican Leads on the Environment while a Democrat Dithers
Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke on the economic promise of green energy while Senator Jim Webb argued that we should loosen the EPA’s regulation of carbon. March 31, 2011
The Smart Energy Grid – The Role of States
While a new national directive toward clean and efficient energy means that some gains are being made, progress in state governments has been uneven. Part 6 of a 6 part series. March 1, 2011
The Smart Energy Grid – Federal Roles in Energy
I asked former IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) President Alan Rotz, who recently retired from a 40 year career at PPL Electric Utilities, about his views on the future of energy and whether government should play a part. Part 5 of a 6 part series. February 27, 2011
The Smart Energy Grid – The 6 Big Solutions
According to John McDonald, the Director of Technical Strategy & Policy Development at GE, there are six main smart grid solutions he would like to see implemented. Part 4 of a 6 part series. February 26, 2011
The Smart Energy Grid – Consumer Savings
Two-way communication between electricity consumers and utilities can save users money. Part 3 of a 6 part series. February 25, 2011
The Smart Energy Grid – Consumer Controls
Two-way communication between electricity consumers and utilities can streamline and stabilize the electrical system. Part 2 of a 6 part series. February 24, 2011
The Smart Energy Grid – Overview
Smart electrical grids are being designed to replace our current “dumb” grid with an infrastructure that is more efficient, more secure and more flexible in all phases. Part 1 of a 6 part series. February 23, 2011
Nation’s Policy on Energy Must See Change
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Offshore drilling is antethical to the goal of building a renewable energy economy and ought to be opposed. August 14, 2008
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