Ken Silverstein (business journalist)
Ken Silverstein is an American business journalist who focuses on global energy issues, climate and environmental issues, and international economics. He has worked as a magazine writer, columnist, and editor, with contributions to various platforms including Forbes websites, and RealClear. His work has also appeared in several newspapers and magazines, such as The Christian Science Monitor.
Biography
Silverstein received a BA and an MBA from Tulane University, and an MA in print journalism from American University. His first job in journalism was working in New York City as an intern for PBS's The McNeil/Lehrer Report in 1983, shortly before it expanded to The McNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.
He has provided energy, environmental, and trade coverage from Africa, China, Japan, Thailand, the Middle East, South America, and Europe. Silverstein has appeared on White House Chronicles with Llewellyn King to discuss his coverage of China.
He has been a panelist at the United States Energy Association's virtual press events, discussing current events. He has also been a guest on National Public Radio to discuss the shale gas boom occurring in the Marsellus Basin. He has also appeared on CSPAN as part of the US Energy Association's virtual press briefings and for his coverage in the 1990s.
In recent years, Silverstein has focused on The Intersection of energy policy, geopolitics, and climate change. He is a Senior Contributor to the Forbes website, where he regularly covers global energy issues, including oil, gas, nuclear energy, and the development of renewables. His reporting often bridges business, diplomacy, and environmental impacts, such as in his piece analyzing the Abraham Accords and their implications for regional energy cooperation, green technology, and Middle East stability.
He has also spent time in the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Ukraine. He has contributed to regional and national outlets, including the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Marin Independent Journal, Orlando Sentinel, Charleston Gazette-Mail, and MSN.
Southern California Edison
In 2012 and 2013, Silverstein wrote a series of stories AbOUT Southern California Edison's nuclear operations in Southern California. Sources inside the company had told him confidentially that the utility had known of defects with its new steam generators several years before those same issues had caused small radiation leaks in 2012.
Global reporting
Silverstein’s reporting has explored the geopolitical dimensions of climate action, including how international diplomacy intersects with energy markets.
Awards and recognition
Media Industry News (MIN) listed Silverstein as one of 2012's "Most Intriguing People in Media".
Silverstein was presented the Gold, Silver, and Bronze ASBPE Awards for Original Web Commentary by the American Society of Business Press Editors in 2012.
Silverstein's column "Will the Nuclear Sector Rise Again?" for EnergyBiz Insider won a Media Industry News's 2011 Editorial & Design Awards for Best Online Column (b2b division). In 2011 he was named a top economic and financial journalist by the nonprofit Wall Street Economists Institute project.
Silverstein's article "Venezuela's Power Grab" for EnergyBiz Insider was awarded the bronze for Original Web Commentary at the 2008 American Society of Business Publication Editors National Digital Awards.