Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What do Trump's new emissions standards mean for fuel efficient cars?
With President Trump unveiling lower fuel economy standards, will carmakers build more gas guzzlers? Also, an investigation looks into the risks of shipping nuclear warheads across the country on old 18 wheelers, driven by underpaid and overworked drivers. And, six years after Fukushima, nuclear waste has reached parts of the U.S. west coast.
By Madeleine Brand • • 50m ListenPhoto: U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage to deliver remarks at the American Center for Mobility, a test facility for driverless car technology for American Manufactured Vehicles in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, U.S., March 15, 2017. (Jonathan Ernst/ Reuters)
In this episode
5 storiesWith lower emission standards expected, will electric car market be hurt?
States are dropping tax incentives for electric cars and President Trump has unveiled new fuel economy standards, which are a lot lower than before. Will that encourage carmakers to build more gas guzzlers?
Read the story9 minIs it safe to transport nuclear warheads on long haul trucks?
When nuclear warheads need to travel, they are loaded into old 18 wheelers and driven across the country on US highways. Drivers are underpaid and overworked. There are concerns about safety and security.
Read the story13 min6 years after Fukushima, nuclear waste has reached the US
It’s been six years since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster. Three reactors were damaged by an earthquake and tsunami off Japan, releasing radioactive toxins into the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of people fled their homes, and many will never return. Nuclear waste has reached parts of the west coast in the U.S.
Read the story7 minUS progress stalled because we're too complacent, says economist
America is often portrayed as the land of opportunity, where anyone who is willing to work hard can get ahead. It’s a country of innovators, entrepreneurs, and risk-takers. But is that all still true? Economist Tyler Cowen has his doubts.
Read the story14 minWhy are so many African American roles going to Brits?
The lead actor in the movie “Get Out” -- a satire on race in America - is British. The actor who played Martin Luther King in “Selma” is British.
Read the story9 min
