In the news today and from the weekend…
Utilities:
- Utility Dive reports that Exelon subsidiary ComEd agreed to enter a three-year deferred prosecution agreement and pay a $200 million fine based on a single bribery charge related to a long-running scheme in Illinois. On Friday, the utility admitted in an agreement with federal prosecutors to arranging jobs, monetary payments and subcontracted work for “various associates of a high-level elected official in the state of Illinois” from 2011 to 2019. ComEd may not recover the fine through its rate base. The utility will have to pay through its shareholders.
Coal:
- E&E Energywire reports state bans like the Hawaii ban on coal are heavily political actions that are affecting coal use in the country.
- County 17 reports the Powder River Basin region is not giving up on coal, despite recent economic setbacks.
- S&P Global reports coal consumption will drop 30% due to weakened electricity demand.
Mining:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Interior Department is easing back on its oversight of environmental mining requirements.
- Local 8 reports mining companies are donating to those in need in Idaho.
- The Nevada Current reports of 30 operating gold mines in Nevada in 2019, 14 of them declared enough deductions to zero out their state mining tax bill.
WOTUS:
- E&E News PM reports a broad coalition of conservation groups, including Trout Unlimited, is joining the chorus of environmentalists and states opposing the Trump administration’s WOTUS rule.