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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Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm says "good-paying jobs" can help zero out U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But some Republicans are skeptical they can help fossil fuel workers. -
This likely means the end of the $8 billion pipeline, a years-long project that would have carried oil sands crude from Alberta, Canada to the American Gulf Coast. -
Pipeliners Local 798, which represents thousands of workers on projects across the country, has a history of racism and faces new allegations it discriminated against Black members. -
Congress has long struggled to pass new laws addressing climate change, even ones with bipartisan support. But the end-of-year spending package includes an energy bill with major climate measures. -
Climate activists say Biden's staff picks are a sign of his seriousness about tackling the issue. But banning anyone with fossil fuel ties could wipe out a lot of experience in getting things done. -
President-elect Joe Biden vows to take a very different approach to climate than President Trump did over the last four years. -
President Trump has claimed, with little evidence, the city's election system is corrupt. His critics say the president is trying to suppress turnout. But voters have registered in record numbers. -
Philadelphia has been dogged by security issues and a shortage of poll workers. But officials say they're ready for their possibly key role in Tuesday's election, and whatever comes after.
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Despite the cascade of other crises this year, climate change has emerged as a key election issue. The two major-party presidential candidates' positions on it could not be more different. -
Climate and environment policies nearly always end up in court these days. They may have a harder time surviving if Amy Coney Barrett cements a conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
