In the news today…
Coal:
- Axios reports worldwide government subsidies for consumers to buy fuel and electricity derived from fossil fuels rose in 2017 after falling for several years, new International Energy Agency data shows.
- Utility Dive reports U.S. power providers will close more coal-fired generation capacity in 2018 than any year before, according to research released last week by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a clean energy think tank.
- Argus reports Peabody Energy expects to sell more thermal coal this year than previously anticipated, thanks to recent gains in U.S. demand.
- S&P Global Platts reports a FERC member Tuesday questioned the motivation behind the DOE’s efforts to prop up coal and nuclear plants and argued that power markets should account for government energy subsidies without getting bogged down in the details.
Carbon Tax:
- Axios reports the Institute for Energy Research, a conservative group is releasing a report today concluding that a carbon tax would raise less revenue and cut less emissions than often claimed.