Sam Brasch

Centennial, Denver

Climate and Environment Reporter at Colorado Public Radio

Climate and environment reporter for @CPRnews. I cover air quality, oil and gas, wolves and general weird science/tech stuff. Tips to [email protected].

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Articles

Energy Secretary Chris Wright argues climate change isn't a crisis

1 week ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Sam Brasch

Energy Secretary Chris Wright is a former oil and gas executive who argues climate change isn't a crisis. Now he runs an agency that's responsible for developing alternative energy sources.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright argues climate change isn't a crisis

1 week ago | ctpublic.org | Sam Brasch

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.
Colorado digs deeper into geothermal heat pumps

3 weeks ago | kuow.org | Sam Brasch

Heat pumps are a more climate-friendly, energy-efficient way to heat and cool a home compared to traditional heating systems like a gas furnace or boiler. But geothermal heat pumps are even better. Colorado Public Radio’s Sam Brasch explains why the state is digging it. This article was originally published on WBUR.org. Why you can trust KUOW
Colorado digs deeper into geothermal heat pumps

3 weeks ago | wbur.org | Sam Brasch

HomeRadioHere & NowColorado digs deeper into geothermal heat pumpsMay 12, 2025Sam Brasch, Colorado Public RadioHeat pumps are a more climate-friendly, energy-efficient way to heat and cool a home compared to traditional heating systems like a gas furnace or boiler. But geothermal heat pumps are even better. Colorado Public Radio's Sam Brasch explains why the state is digging it. This segment airs on May 12, 2025. Audio will be available after the broadcast.
Don’t call it ‘climate denial,’ Sec of Energy Chris Wright claims he’s preaching ‘climate realism’

1 month ago | climatedepot.com | Marc Morano |Sam Brasch

https://www.cpr.org/2025/05/05/climate-change-trump-secretary-of-energy-chris-wright/By Excerpt:It’s not hard to pinpoint when U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright catapulted himself—and his views on climate change—into the national spotlight. It started with a corporate dust-up over jacket logos. In late 2020, a Texas oil and gas firm tried to order company jackets from The North Face, but the outdoor apparel giant refused because it didn’t want its brand associated with fossil fuels.
Gov. Polis’ plan to accelerate Colorado’s clean energy transition won’t reach the legislature this year

1 month ago | aspenpublicradio.org | Sam Brasch

Gov. Jared Polis and state legislative leaders will wait at least a year to consider legislation to speed up Colorado’s transition to using 100 percent renewable energy amid pushback from business groups, utilities, and labor unions. CPR News obtained a draft copy of the legislation in early April.
Jared Polis’ plan to accelerate Colorado’s clean energy transition won’t reach the legislature this year

1 month ago | coloradosun.com | Sam Brasch

Gov. Jared Polis and state legislative leaders will wait until at least next year to consider legislation to speed up Colorado’s transition to using 100% renewable energy amid pushback from business groups, utilities and labor unions. This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at cpr.org. CPR News obtained a draft copy of the legislation in early April.
Gov. Polis Pushes Renewable Energy Bill Amid Growing Opposition

2 months ago | ksjd.org | Sam Brasch |Megan Verlee

This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at cpr.org. Since his first run for governor, Gov. Jared Polis has pledged to put Colorado on a path to rely on 100 percent clean electricity by 2040 — a decade sooner than currently required under state law. His administration is now pushing to introduce a bill to enshrine the campaign promise into statute a year before he leaves office.
A notorious, tree-chewing pest could be making a comeback in Colorado

2 months ago | durangoherald.com | Sam Brasch

An insect known for turning entire mountainsides the color of rust could be making a resurgence in Colorado. The pest is none other than the mountain pine beetle. After a roughly decade-long period of relatively lower populations, the bugs are rebuilding their numbers along the Front Range and in southwest Colorado, according to an annual forest health report published by the Colorado State Forest Service in late March.
Why local governments scuttled a push to boost rooftop solar in Colorado

2 months ago | durangoherald.com | Sam Brasch

Cities and counties worried software couldn’t handle building code, zoning regulations A plan to supercharge rooftop solar in Colorado has hit a snag: local governments like Boulder County and Larimer County known for backing ambitious climate policies. Last week, state lawmakers removed key provisions from HB25-1096, a bill initially designed to require large municipalities to adopt software to cut permit review times for residential solar systems.