Daniel Benjamin

The Costs Of Regulatory Stringency

A study of Wyoming oil drilling reveals that regulatory costs are higher on federal land.

Linda Platts

Back To The Future

Surrounded by the magnificent blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Cruz Island, just 25 miles west of Santa Barbara, is the scene of a life-and-death drama that pits feral pigs against the dainty island fox. The introduction of non-native species to one of California’s isolated Channel Islands has led to the near extirpation ofContinue reading "Indoor Sunshine"

Salted Irrigation

Salt deposits can destroy farm land, but at long last, one scientist has found a crop that will tolerate irrigation by sea water.

Linda Platts

Garbage To Oil

A great meal for many Americans is a Butterball turkey. A great deal for ConAgra, the company producing Butterballs, is to turn all its turkey waste into marketable products. Its Carthage, Missouri, turkey plant accumulates 1.3 million gallons a day of turkey grease, guts, fat, and feathers that is stored in lagoons and sent toContinue reading "Indoor Sunshine"

Linda Platts

Indoor Sunshine

Cabela’s, one of the world’s largest outfitting companies, is shedding new light on its indoor facilities. In Prairie de Chien, Wis., a 400,000-square-foot retail store and 600,000-square-foot distribution center, have been equipped with full spectrum, energy-efficient light fixtures that spread indoor sunshine while reducing utility bills. Full spectrum light is the equivalent of sunlight atContinue reading "Indoor Sunshine"

Gary Libecap

Environmental Phantasm

The benefits of ethanol are largely a myth, but its political life is nothing short of miraculous.

Ashley Fingarson

Protecting The Past

Bruce Selyem doesn't just photograph old grain elevators, he also saves them.

Clay Landry

The Wrong Way To Restore Salmon

The federal government pours cash into the Columbia basin, but what fish really need is water.

Dominic Parker

Maintaining Trust

Private land trusts generally are prudent stewards, but tax advantages can sway their decisions.