Jeff Brady
Jeff Brady is a National Desk Correspondent based in Philadelphia, where he covers energy issues and climate change. 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 stories from the consumer side of the light switch and the gas pump in an effort to demystify an energy system that can seem complicated and opaque. Brady has reported on natural gas utilities fighting to preserve their business in a world more concerned about climate change, the long saga over the Keystone XL oil pipeline, the closing of a light bulb factory in Pennsylvania and how gas ranges pollute homes and make climate change worse.
In 2017 his reporting showed a history of racism and sexism that have made it difficult for the oil business to diversify its workforce. A union at the center of that reporting now faces a class-action lawsuit from its Black members.
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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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. -
Environmentalists are optimistic a $150 billion plan to make the electricity grid more climate friendly will pass in Congress. Some utility companies say the cleaner energy goals are too aggressive.
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This week may be key for President Biden's ambitious climate goals. Congress is debating measures that are crucial for cutting carbon emissions and meeting U.S. obligations in the Paris climate deal.
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People in the northeast were unprepared for tornadoes and flooding from Hurricane Ida. But these are the types of intense storms climate experts have long warned about.
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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.
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Democrats hope to pass a $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill to help fulfill President Biden's climate change plan. A key clean energy standard is undergoing changes to pass without Republican votes.
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Record-high temperatures and torrential rains are affecting people's long-needed summer getaways. As the climate warms, vacations may not be what they once were. People are figuring out how to adapt. -
The budget blueprint would use financial carrots and sticks to encourage utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The "clean energy standard" is key to President Biden's climate goals. -
Wildlife officials are asking people not to feed birds or provide bird baths amid dozens of reports of mysterious songbird deaths.
