Jeff Brady
Jeff Brady is a National Desk Correspondent based in Philadelphia, where he covers energy issues, climate change and the mid-Atlantic region. Brady helped establish NPR's environment and energy collaborative which brings together NPR and Member station reporters from across the country to cover the big stories involving the natural world.
Brady approaches energy stories from the consumer side of the light switch and the gas pump in an effort to demystify an industry that can seem complicated and opaque. Frequently traveling throughout the country for NPR, Brady has reported on the Texas oil business hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the closing of a light bulb factory in Pennsylvania and a new generation of climate activists holding protests from Oregon to New York. In 2017 his reporting showed a history of racism and sexism that have made it difficult for the oil business to diversify its workforce.
In 2011 Brady led NPR's coverage of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State—from the night legendary football coach Joe Paterno was fired to the trial where Sandusky was found guilty.
In 2005, Brady was among the NPR reporters who covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His reporting on flooded cars left behind after the storm exposed efforts to stall the implementation of a national car titling system. Today, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is operational and the Department of Justice estimates it could save car buyers up to $11 billion a year.
Before coming to NPR in September 2003, Brady was a reporter at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) in Portland. He has also worked in commercial television as an anchor and a reporter, and in commercial radio as a talk-show host and reporter.
Brady graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern Oregon State College (now Southern Oregon University). In 2018 SOU honored Brady with its annual "Distinguished Alumni" award.
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Despite a year of increasing weather disasters, Biden's ambitious climate plans may be doomed in Congress.
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In a sweeping executive order, President Biden aims to cut all climate warming emissions from federal government operations. The push dates to the Obama-era, and faces a lot of challenges.
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The infrastructure law includes money for capturing carbon from power plants and removing it from the air. Scientists say such technologies are crucial to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
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In a major expansion, proposed U.S. rules would apply not only to new oil and gas operations but also older ones. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas considered key to slowing global warming quickly.
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Australia says it is committed to addressing climate change, yet it exports huge amounts of coal and natural gas. There are calls for Australia to wind down global fossil fuel exports.
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Under the Paris climate deal, exports of oil, gas and coal don't count toward a country's emissions. That's coming in for scrutiny as leaders gather for another global climate summit.
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Even as the U.S. aims to cut climate-warming emissions at home, it still exports huge amounts of natural gas, oil and coal. That's coming in for scrutiny ahead of another global climate summit.
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Americans love their gas stoves, but they pollute homes and are connected to a supply system that leaks methane. That's part of a battle as more people face a decision about switching to electric.
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Hurricane Ida destroyed major transmission towers designed to withstand strong winds. As President Biden pursues a massive grid buildout, energy infrastructure will need to be more climate resilient.
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The U.S. is expected to burn more coal to generate electricity this year. High natural gas prices and electricity demand are boosting coal for now, but the industry will likely start to decline.