Monthly Archives: January 2019

In the news today…

EPA:

·         POLITICO Pro reports the Trump administration has postponed its public hearing on its rewrite of the WOTUS rule and its formal publication in the Federal Register, thanks to the partial government shutdown.

·         Inside EPA reports Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler has pledged to review and in some cases revise key programs governing new and existing chemicals the agency is seeking to create under the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), commitments that helped win 11th-hour Senate confirmation for the agency toxics chief, Alexandra Dunn.

Coal:

·         E&E News PM reports a Navajo Nation energy company studying the purchase of a coal-fired plant on the reservation says it’s now looking into the mine that supplies it too. The energy company says it wants to keep the plant and Kayenta mine open for at least 10 more years.

·         Casper Star Tribune reports Wyoming’s largest utility, and owner of many of its coal-fired power plants, will delay an update to the depreciation rate of its assets as it studies the changing economics of coal.

 ·         CNN reports more coal-fired power plants have closed in Trump’s first two years in office then in Obama’s entire first term.

 ·         Washington Examiner reports U.S. coal exports surged last year in Honduras, which has been the target of barbs from the president related to immigration and border security.

Climate:

·         The New York Times reports U.S. carbon dioxide emissions increased by 3.4 percent last year – their highest increase in eight years, according to preliminary projections from the research firm Rhodium Group LLC using federal and industry data. The increase, the group said, was driven in part by the weather and from strong manufacturing output.

·         Axios reports the Copernicus Climate Service (C3S), an EU-funded program, has concluded that 2018 was Earth’s 4th-warmest year on record — with the past 4 years serving as the hottest years the planet has seen since instrument records began in 1880 (and likely well before that).

In the news today and from the weekend…

Energy:

• Axios reporter Amy Harder looks at nine energy and climate issues to watch in 2019.

Coal:

• Washington Examiner reports the DOE released data on coal over the last two days that showed a pick-up in exports for fueling, not U.S., but foreign power plants, including those in climate change proponents France and Germany.
• Argus reports coal-fired generation produced less electricity in the largest US grid than natural gas in 2018, the first time on record that gas superseded coal in the region for a full year.

Legislation:

• WCYB reports Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine introduced the American Miners Act of 2019 on Friday to preserve pension and healthcare benefits for coal miners.

EPA:

• Inside EPA reports EPA’s plan to scrap the Obama-era finding that the costs and benefits of the utility air toxics rule make the rule “appropriate and necessary” is spurring uncertainty on how the agency will count “co-benefits” that result from reductions in non-target pollutants to justify future rules’ costs because the plan downplays such benefits but does not prohibit their consideration.

World News:

• Miami Herald reports Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to discuss efforts to wean the country off coal with senior officials this month.

In the news today…

Coal:

• Utility Dive reports Republican lawmakers and the federal government are continuing efforts to support the coal industry, evidenced by an increase in research funding opportunities and proposed legislation meant to benefit the fuel production and the possibility of future plants.
• Argus reports Texas wind farms in areas with high wind potential could be paired with solar generation to increase the reliability of power production. The combination could allow the state to transition away from fossil fuel generation, the researchers say in a new report.
• Deseret News reports an analysis by PacifiCorp shows 60 percent of its coal-fired power plant units are more costly to run than shutter, prompting the company to request additional time to review their potential operational life. The December request for a delay before the Public Service Commission involves the depreciation schedule for power plant units it operates in six states, including Utah.

Politics:

• E&E Daily reports incoming House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are hoping for progress this Congress on energy reform legislation.
• CNBC reports House Democrats plan to hold hearings on the role industry insiders played in President Trump’s rollback of energy and environmental regulations.
• E&E Daily reports the Senate last night approved a series of energy and environment nominees by voice vote in the final full day of the 115th Congress.

Power Grid:

• Utility Dive covers the top 10 trends that will shape the electric power sector in 2019. From coal bailouts to batteries and wind and solar growth, Gavin Bade reports on the issues that will define the year to come.

World News:

• Reuters reports renewables overtook coal as Germany’s main source of energy for the first time last year, accounting for just over 40 percent of electricity production, research showed on Thursday.