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Gas prices in Oklahoma City have dipped under $2. Joe Wertz/StateImpact Oklahoma hide caption

itoggle caption Joe Wertz/StateImpact Oklahoma

Coming Soon To A Filling Station Near You: $1.99 Gasoline

December 5, 2014 • OnCue in Oklahoma City was the first place in the country to drop its price per gallon below $2. Several other cities are likely to get similarly cheap gas soon, an expert says.

A Rosneft oil rig at the Vankor oil field in eastern Siberia. Russia is already feeling the pinch of low oil prices. Sergey Ponomarev/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Sergey Ponomarev/AP

Experts Predict Low Oil Prices Through Next Year

November 28, 2014 • Following a decision by OPEC ministers not to cut production, crude prices had fallen to a four-year low before rebounding slightly.

The lowest gas prices in years are seen Wednesday on a fuel sign in Lawrence, Kan. A day later, OPEC decided to maintain current production levels, virtually ensuring continued low prices at the pump. Orlin Wagner/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Orlin Wagner/AP

The Two-Way

Oil Prices Tumble After OPEC Holds Firm On Output

November 27, 2014 • Ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting in Austria could not agree to cut production in an effort to stabilize global crude prices.

Iraq

Oil Deal Provides Much-Needed Revenue In Iraq

December 2, 2014 • Melissa Block talks with Ben Lando of the Iraq Oil Report about the deal between Baghdad and the Kurds over oil revenue.

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Low Oil Prices Accelerate Trouble For Venezuela

December 1, 2014 • The drop in the price of oil might be having a positive effect on the disposable income of Americans, but for people who live in countries whose economies are dependent on the high price of oil it's a different story. Audie Cornish talks to Daniel Yergin, author of The Quest: Energy, Security and the Remaking of the Modern World

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Tumbling Oil Prices Give A Boost To Drivers During The Holidays

December 1, 2014 • An OPEC meeting last week sent oil prices tumbling when the cartel decided not to restrict production to boost prices. Now some are predicting parts of the U.S. will see gas prices under $2 a gallon.

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OPEC Declines Action As World Oil Prices Hit Record Lows

November 27, 2014 • OPEC oil producers met Thursday to discuss falling world oil prices — something big producer Saudi Arabia seeks to preserve in order to compete with U.S. oil production. But other OPEC countries want to get prices back up because their governments need the money.

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Around the Nation

Energy Boom Helps Texas Commuter School Launch Football Program KRTS-FM

November 27, 2014 • The University of Texas Permian Basin is in Odessa, home to the football team featured in the movie Friday Night Lights. It's hoped that football will bring more students and more alumni dollars.

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Critics Say More Oil Industry Royalties Should Go Into U.S. Coffers

November 26, 2014 • Rules for oil and gas companies drilling on federal land allow them to use some of the gas free of charge. Critics say taxpayers should get royalties for that gas and any that is vented or flared.

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Solar Energy's Popularity Increases As Rooftop Panels Get Less Expensive

November 26, 2014 • Solar energy is now competitive with the cost of power generated by coal, oil and natural gas. David Greene talks to Eric Wesoff of Greentech Media, a trade journal covering alternative technology.

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Planet Money

Experts Suggest OPEC's Power Over Oil Prices Is Waning

November 24, 2014 • Members of OPEC meet this week. It used to be the world held its breath when this happened, worried what the meeting would mean for oil prices. But experts say times have changed.

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Mango trees would be grateful for the nutrients in human poop. Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

A Bus Isn't The Only Thing That Can Be Powered By Poop

November 23, 2014 • Human waste can help things grow and even cook your dinner. It might sound gross, but don't worry, the odor has been removed. Plus: It's good for the environment!

In Britain, a new bus running between Bath and the Bristol airport uses biomethane for power. The gas is derived from human sewage and food waste. Wessex Water/GENeco hide caption

itoggle caption Wessex Water/GENeco

The Two-Way

Poo Power: New British Bus Runs On Human Waste

November 21, 2014 • Touting the use of renewable energy, the Bath Bus Company says the Bio-Bus runs cleaner than a bus powered by a traditional diesel engine.

Native Americans, Landowners Protest Keystone XL Pipeline In South Dakota

November 21, 2014 • The U.S. Senate failed to approve the Keystone XL pipeline but the issue appears headed for a green light in the GOP-controlled Congress next year.

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Pistachios, a possible energy source for a Turkish city. Anadolu Agency/Getty hide caption

itoggle caption Anadolu Agency/Getty

The Salt

Turkey Looks For Energy In An Abundant Resource: Pistachio Shells

November 20, 2014 • Converting the shells into biogas could provide most of the heat for a planned city of 200,000, engineers say. There's precedent in Australia, where macadamia nut shells are generating power.

Politics

1 Vote Keeps Keystone XL Pipeline From Senate Passage

November 19, 2014 • All 45 Republicans were on board, but the bill fell short of just one Democrat. It's a project President Obama has not been a fan of.

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Pipes for Transcanada Corp.'s planned Keystone XL oil pipeline are stacked at a depot in Gascoyne, N.D. The House of Representatives approved the Keystone XL pipeline Friday; the Senate voted against it on Tuesday. Andrew Cullen/Reuters/Landov hide caption

itoggle caption Andrew Cullen/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Senate Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline Bill, In A Close Vote

November 18, 2014 • The controversial project to expand an oil pipeline running from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has failed to get the approval of Congress.

GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy and Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu face off in a Dec. 6 Senate runoff. Both are pushing for legislation approving the remaining leg of the Keystone XL pipeline between Alberta, Canada, and Steele City, Neb. Gerald Herbert/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Gerald Herbert/AP

It's All Politics

How Many Louisiana Jobs Are Actually At Stake In Keystone Debate?

November 18, 2014 • Momentum to push legislation approving the oil pipeline is getting a boost from the Dec. 6 Louisiana Senate runoff — even though the unbuilt portion of pipeline wouldn't run anywhere near the state.

Business

Who Pays For Outdated Power Plant That Lacks Customers? ILPR

November 18, 2014 • Electricity rates in Michigan's Upper Peninsula could go up next month by as much as 30 percent. Residents might have to start paying to keep a coal plant open that isn't needed anymore.

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Pipes for TransCanada's planned Keystone XL pipeline are stored in Gascoyne, N.D. The U.S. House has voted to approve the proposed project, which would allow crude oil to flow from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The Senate plans to vote Tuesday on legislation that would greenlight the project. Andrew Cullen/Reuters/Landov hide caption

itoggle caption Andrew Cullen/Reuters/Landov

What You Need To Know About The Keystone XL Oil Pipeline

November 17, 2014 • The long-delayed project is a jobs generator to some and an ecological disaster to others. Ahead of a key Senate vote, we revisit what the Keystone XL pipeline would do and why it's so contentious.

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The Two-Way

Judge Denies BP's Attempt To Avoid Up To $18 Billion In Fines

November 14, 2014 • Last month, the company asked the judge to reconsider a ruling that could trigger fines under the Clean Water Act. And on Thursday, he said no. The company says it will appeal.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Senate energy committee, spoke Wednesday about getting congressional approval for the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline. With her is Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a member of the committee. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

itoggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The Two-Way

Congress Will Vote On Keystone XL Pipeline, With An Eye On Louisiana

November 13, 2014 • The two bills' sponsors — Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La. — are heading toward a runoff election next month.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana walks through the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Congress returned to work following last week's midterm elections break. Landrieu is locked in a runoff with Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Politics

House, Senate To Vote On Keystone After Landrieu Calls For Vote

November 13, 2014 • Legislation to build the Keystone XL pipeline got new life after Senate Democrats abandoned efforts to block the measure in hopes of helping endangered Sen. Mary Landrieu keep her seat in Louisiana.

Beacon Power President and CEO Barry Brits, at the company's plant in Hazle Township, Pa. He says a loan from the Department of Energy made it possible for his company to develop its flywheel energy storage technology. Jeff Brady/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Jeff Brady/NPR