Monthly Archives: September 2019

In the news today…

Coal:

• Energy News Network reports the agreement to close the E.D. Edwards coal plant by 2022 includes $8.6 million for local clean energy projects.
• The Wheeling Intelligencer reports West Virginia Department of Revenue officials are preparing lawmakers for a decrease in coal severance tax revenue this year.
• E&E Greenwire reports coal-fired power plants are emitting increased pollutants, according to EPA data.
• E&E News PM reports Navajo Transitional Energy Co. released a study on its purchase of three large coal mines in Wyoming and Montana.
• E&E Energywire reports one of three generating units at the Navajo Generating Station has closed.
• Mining.com and the Louisville Courier Journal report former Blackjewel employees are ending their close to two month protest for unpaid wages.
• Argus reports coal-fired power generation in the U.S. fell by 12.5 percent in July as it lost out to natural gas and renewable power.

Mining:

• WCHS reports legislative auditors found that the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection has skirted the law and allowed coal miners to secure bonds that are not adequately guaranteed.
• E&E Daily reports the Senate Appropriations Committee is giving EPA permission to veto a permit for the Pebble mine in Alaska if it is not satisfied with the Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental review.

ESA:

• The Los Angeles Times reports 17 states are suing against the Trump administration’s rollback of the Endangered Species Act.

World News:

• Mining.com reports nine countries have joined the U.S. initiative to help discover and develop reserves of minerals used to make electric vehicles.

In the news today…

Minerals:

• The The Southern Illinoisan (IL) carries an op-ed by Michael Stumo, CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America, in which he argues that China is currently dominating the market for advanced energy technologies due to its prioritization of mining and the U.S. must enact reform of mining regulations in order to compete.

Coal:

• The Associated Press reports U.S. Department of Labor funding for Wyoming coal industry workers transitioning careers has been extended through June 2021.
• The Casper Star Tribune reports Wyoming will receive $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund research on alternative uses for coal.
• Argus reports Wolverine Fuels plans to begin production on its Fossil Rock reserves in Utah as early as next year.
• Argus reports coal-fired generation in the PJM Interconnection is falling again this month due to cooler weather exacerbating the effect of cheap natural gas.
• Casper Star Tribune reports Blackjewel facilities are still mining some coal, according to inspections.

In the news today…

CWA:

• KPVI reports Wyoming farmers and ranchers celebrated the repeal of the WOTUS rule.
• Inside EPA reports the patchwork of CWA standards could return if the repeal of 2015 rule is blocked through litigation in some states and not others.

Climate:

• Desmog carries a blog post identifying U.S. lobbying groups stalling action on climate change.

Coal:

• Fast Company reports former coal miners are getting left behind as coal companies declare bankruptcy.
• WYMT reports the Department of Labor has awarded more than $3.5 million to support laid-off coal miners in Eastern Kentucky.
• The Herald-Dispatch carries an editorial in which the author argues that West Virginia must prepare the budget for a post-coal economy.
• Massive Science reports an interview with Mary Anne Hitt of the Beyond Coal campaign, who advocates for an end to coal in the U.S.
• Argus reports the Department of Energy has awarded $56.5 million to 32 projects aimed at research and development of advanced coal technologies.
• E&E Daily reports an Arizona Democrat is introducing legislation to create a program to retrain displaced workers from the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta mine.
• S&P Global reports the UN climate summit would promote global cuts to coal-fired generation.

Legislation:

• E&E Daily reports Republicans will today unveil legislation to overhaul the Endangered Species Act.
• E&E Daily reports the USE IT Act is being held up from inclusion in the NDAA by House Democrats.
• The Wayne Independent reports Representatives Matt Cartwright and Debbie Dingell introduced the Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act to change how coal companies financially handle reclamation of their mines.

In the news today and from the weekend…

Mining:

• The Sun carries an op-ed by Stephen Moore in which he argues that the anti-mining stance of green groups does not match up with the need for minerals in green technology and that the U.S. will only become more dependent on China and Russia if domestic mining decreases.
• The Salt Lake Tribune carries a letter to the editor in which the author decries a proposed frac sand mine and states no philanthropists should contribute to mining.
• The Washington Times carries an op-ed in which the author argues that U.S. dependence on foreign minerals is dangerous and domestic uranium mining should be encouraged, not discouraged.

Coal:

• Bloomberg and E&E Energywire report wind power in Texas will exceed coal power for the first time in 2020, according to a new report.
• The Hill reports Sen. Bernie Sanders said that if elected president he would use DOJ to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for damaging the environment.
• The Billings Gazette reports the closure of a coal mine will negatively impact a nearby sugar refinery in Montana.
• The Sheridan Press carries an op-ed which declares that Wyoming coal will not regain its former glory and it’s time for the state to act accordingly.
• Argus reports Tri-State Generation and Transmission has retired its Nucla coal-fired power plant in Colorado at least four months ahead of schedule.
• The New York Times reports a number of countries speaking at the U.N. summit will be pro-coal, such as India and China.
• S&P Global reports Cloud Peak Energy posted a net loss of $609.68 million in its second quarter of 2019 after taking a $620.9 million impairment charge.

Renewable Energy:

• Argus reports FERC is seeking to overhaul a 1978 law, PURPA, meant to encourage renewable energy.

Carbon Capture:

• E&E Energywire reports a coalition of some of the world’s largest oil companies is announcing a new effort to jump-start the commercialization of carbon capture, usage and storage technologies.

EPA:

• Politico Pro and E&E News PM report environmental groups asked that their legal challenges to EPA’s ACE rule be held until rulemaking is complete for NSR revisions.

ESA:

• E&E Daily reports Tuesday there will be a hearing to debate legislation to repeal the Trump administration changes to the Endangered Species Act.

World News:

• The Economist reports Germany’s exit from coal is expensive and messy, with all sides of the coal debate dissatisfied in some way.

In the news today…

WOTUS:

• E&E Daily reports EPA water chief David Ross and Democrats argued over existing data related to the repeal of WOTUS at a meeting of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Mining:

• E&E Greenwire reports the Army Corps of Engineers won’t require additional environmental analysis for a series of changes to plans for the proposed Pebble mine.

Minerals:

• Mining.com reports Apple Inc will use 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in a key component included in its new iPhones.

Coal:

• The Knoxville News Sentinel reports unidentified particulate matter has been falling from the skies around the TVA’s coal power plant for nearly a week, which is being investigated.
• Utility Dive reports Arizona residents could save $3.5 billion by transitioning from coal to solar, according to a Sierra Club report.
• Argus reports coal-fired generation in ERCOT fell last month despite record heat which tested the grid’s capacity.
• The Billings Gazette reports Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon contacted the Mexican government about the possibility of using the country’s ports to export Wyoming’s coal to markets overseas.

Carbon Capture:

• The Bismarck Tribune reports the Department of Energy has awarded $10 million to carbon capture research at a coal power plant in North Dakota.

Climate:

• E&E Energywire reports activist investors published a letter to governments around the globe, urging them to select a deadline to end coal power generation.
• E&E Energywire reports Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed an executive order to establish a goal for the state to produce 100 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050.

Safety:

• The Associated Press reports a coal mine electrician has died in an accident in West Virginia.
• E&E Greenwire reports a new spending bill would provide funds for MSHA to reorganize, consolidating divisions that regulate coal and hardrock mining.

World News:

• Mining.com reports Chinese mining is weathering the U.S.-China trade war according to a new report.

In the news today…

Minerals:

• Reuters reports a bipartisan group of senators is arguing that more needs to be done to support domestic production of minerals used to make electric vehicles.

Mining:

• Mining.com reports Newmont Goldcorp Corp. is ready to sit tight on asset sales, even if that means not reaching a previously announced goal of as much as $1.5 billion in divestments.
• Mining.com reports Barrick Gold reported a new discovery hole about 2 kilometers from the best drilling intercept at its Fourmile project in Nevada.

Coal:

• The Casper Star-Tribune reports production of coal is dropping off faster than previously expected due to low demand and market uncertainties, according to a new report.
• Argus reports DOE is planning on co-funding basic engineering studies for retrofitting five coal with CCUS technology.
• Argus and E&E Energywire report Duke Energy is joining the transition away from fossil fuels, saying it will be carbon neutral by the midcentury mark.
• Argus reports TransAlta plans to have no more coal-fired power plants by the end of 2025, including its Centralia plant in Washington state.
• S&P Global reports MISO said Tuesday it is aiming to cut coal-fired generation to 29% by 2030 and anticipates a rise in solar and wind power generation.

EPA:

• Inside EPA reports a federal appeals court has issued a mandate enforcing its July ruling rejecting environmentalists’ attempt to force EPA to set first-time Superfund financial assurance rules for the hard rock mining industry.
• Inside EPA and The Progress-Index report a coalition of 20 states led by West Virginia is asking to intervene in support of EPA in litigation over the agency’s ACE rule.
• Politico Pro reports EPA is trying to speed up the litigation of the ACE rule, which according to critics could secure a judicial ruling before the end of Trump’s first term.
• Argus and E&E Climatewire report Tuesday a US federal appeals court dismissed litigation against the Clean Power Plan, a case which had been rendered moot by the CPP’s repeal and replacement.
• Inside EPA reports several Western states are questioning whether EPA has legal authority to propose changes to the Clean Water Act section 401 water quality certification process.

Congress:

• E&E Daily reports Democrats led by Rep. Raul Grijalva and Sen. Tom Udall introduced legislation that would repeal Trump administration changes to the Endangered Species Act.
• E&E Daily reports the legislation introduced last week by Democrat Rep. Matt Cartwright and Republican Rep. Glenn Thompson to push back the expiration date for the Abandoned Mine Land fee has found some bipartisan support.
• E&E Daily reports Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski is using oil as an example for why the American Mineral Security Act is crucial.

In the news today and from the weekend…

EPA:

• Water Online reports quotes from government officials and various stakeholders in response to the repeal of the 2015 WOTUS rule.
• Inside EPA reports the replacement of the WOTUS rule is unlikely to end the CWA debate due to extended court battles ahead.
• E&E Daily reports David Ross, head of EPA’s water office, will appear before a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee Wednesday to discuss the administration’s rollback of CWA protections such as the WOTUS rule.
• Inside EPA reports critics of EPA’s ACE rule are bringing new legal claims to their petitions, claiming several provisions were not subject to public comment.
• E&E Greenwire reports EPA must redo part of its Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, judges ruled, under the Clean Air Act’s “good neighbor” provision.

Coal:

• AZ Central reports communities hurt by the pending closure of the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta Mine could apply for federal aid aimed at helping workers transition to other industries.
• The Associated Press reports financial difficulties for Powder River Basin mines portend hardship for the region and the coal industry overall.
• The New York Times reports more women are entering the work force in coal country after mines shut down.

Minerals:

• E&E Daily reports a panel tomorrow will discuss the needs of the energy industry for minerals and the growing foreign reliance of the United States for these minerals.

Mining:

• The Powell Tribune carries an op-ed which argues that coal and other minerals companies are going bankrupt at an alarming rate and it’s past time for lawmakers to consider ways to protect taxpayers and workers.
• The Ripon Advance and the Pennsylvania Business Report report U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) unveiled bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Land trust fund last week.

FERC News:

• E&E Energywire reports FERC has eliminated its Division of Energy Market Oversight, which is part of the agency’s enforcement branch and oversees the nation’s natural gas and electric power markets and related energy and financial markets.

In the news today…

WOTUS:

• The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the WOTUS rule is repealed.
• Politico Pro and E&E News PM report the 2015 WOTUS rule has been repealed and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler called it an “egregious power grab” during the formal repeal.
• Politico Pro reports the California Attorney General plans to sue the Trump administration over its appeal of the WOTUS rule.

Coal:

• WTVQ reports a foundation is giving financial donations to out-of-work Blackjewel coal miners in Leslie County.
• The Casper Star Tribune reports Blackjewel sent out letters to its workers suggesting its mines may reopen soon.
• The Voice of America reports Wyoming is running out of time and must either adapt to a world where coal is uneconomical or fall apart.
• S&P Global reports weekly U.S. coal production is down 10.5% compared with a week earlier and 5.7% lower than a year-ago week according to EIA.
• E&E News PM reports EPA has reversed an Obama-era decision that could have required an Illinois coal-fired power plant to curb sulfur dioxide emissions.

Carbon Tax:

• The Washington Post and Inside EPA report the Climate Leadership Council plans a carbon tax to be imposed on mines and power plants at a rate of $40 per ton of CO2.

In the news today…

CPP/ACE Rule:

• Resilience carries an article supporting the CPP and arguing that a Democratic candidate who defeats Trump would have many challenges in enacting environmental policy.

Coal:

• The Jackson Hole News and Guide carries an op-ed in which the author argues Wyoming must think strategically about its economic future in order to successfully diversify.
• Ars Technica reports the decline of coal is linked to fewer pollution-linked deaths, and the decline is boosting the economy.
• The Zanesville Times Recorder reports more than 200 residents will be out of work by the end of October as the result of a decision by American Electric Power to close the Conesville coal-fired power plant.
• The Financial Times reports Wyoming’s Powder River Basin is seeking to turn its coal into graphene, aircraft fuselages, wind turbine blades and the black granules in water filters, among other alternative coal products.

Carbon Capture:

• Utility Dive reports a carbon capture bill, the USE IT Act, has bipartisan support to be included in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Mining:

• Argus reports the Montana Supreme Court has opened the door for regulators to reinstate a water permit for Westmoreland’s Rosebud mine.

Minerals:

• The Minneapolis Post reports environmental advocates in Minnesota are focused on recycling minerals and mining in more favorable environments rather than in increasing copper and nickel mining in Minnesota.

EPA:

• Inside EPA reports the new interpretative statement from EPA regarding pollution releases from groundwater under the Clean Water Act failed to provide clarity to states.
• The Washington Post reports today the WOTUS rule will be scrapped, returning the country to standards put in place in 1986.

In the news today…

Mining:

• The Outsider Club carries an op-ed in which the author argues that America needs to support mining to become self-sufficient in minerals.
• The Nevada Independent reports a panel on renewable energy at the Nevada Mining Association’s annual convention considers the benefits and challenges of placing solar projects on mine sites.
• The Heartland Institute reports, in an effort to support Idaho’s mining industry, state lawmakers and policymakers recently enacted the first major changes to the state’s mining law in 50 years.

Coal:

• The Billings Gazette reports the Wyoming legislature votes to create a committee to address the negative effects of the recent coal bankruptcies across the state.
• S&P Global reports EIA forecasts U.S. coal production for 2019 to fall 10.6 percent compared to last year.

ACE Rule:

• E&E Greenwire reports Sen. Ben Cardin introduced a measure to block the ACE rule, using a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval.
• E&E Greenwire reports critics of the ACE rule do not want the litigation fast-tracked and say there is no justification to do so.

Minerals:

• The Washington Times reports reducing our dependence upon foreign countries for critical minerals is vital to our nation’s long-term interests.
• Daily Journal Online reports Missouri Cobalt is fast becoming an industry leader for battery materials, citing hardworking Americans as a key to their success.
• The Nevada Appeal reports the joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Goldcorp Corp. ushers in a new era for Nevada hardrock mining, in which Nevada Gold Mines can save close to a half billion a year.
• Mining.com reports demand for metals used in battery electric vehicles could rise sixfold if electric cars reach 8% of road traffic by the mid-2020s.

In the news today…

Coal:

• Argus and E&E Climatewire report Pacificorp is leaning toward retiring more coal-fired power plants between 2022 and 2042.
• Argus reports CCU Coal and Construction will lay off 205 employees by the end of next month.
• E&E Energywire reports Santee Cooper will shut down a coal plant, half its fleet, and add 1 gigawatt of solar generation in a plan to insulate the company against a possible sale.
• The Daily Beast reports Senator Mitch McConnell denied money to coal miners for healthcare but advocated funds for an aluminum plant with ties to Russia.

EPA:

• E&E Energywire reports conservatives and coal groups are fighting the ACE rule in court, stating it exceeds EPA authority to regulate emissions from coal-fired power plants.
• E&E Greenwire reports industry groups argue the WOTUS rule should have been stricken from the books, as opposed to being sent back to EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers.

In the news today and from the weekend…

Coal:

• E&E Energywire reports the dropping demand for coal will slash revenue for railroads by $5 billion.
• The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports the Bluefield Coal Show will open on the 11^th, featuring about 200 exhibitors.
• E&E Greenwire reports two Kentucky coal miners have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Senate candidate Amy McGrath after she included them in a campaign ad.
• Utility Dive reports FirstEnergy Solutions filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court to stop a proposed referendum which would overturn a coal and nuclear bailout law.
• CNN reports the president of UMWA stated that the coal industry is not “back”, despite President Trump’s claims.
• The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Peabody Energy Corp. expects lower third-quarter earnings due to lower demand and prices as well as a delay in production in its Australia mine.

Minerals:

• Foreign Policy reports the “clean energy” transition will bring with it an increase in minerals mining, which comes with its own ecological and social costs.
• Mining.com reports the White House is consider a plan that would have the government directly purchase uranium from U.S. producers to revive the domestic mining industry.

EPA:

• Politico Pro reports several conservative think tanks and coal companies sued EPA over its ACE rule, arguing that the rule goes too far in regulating greenhouse gases.
• E&E Greenwire reports the probe into PolyMet Mining’s permit has led EPA to launch a nationwide review of the agency’s water quality permitting efforts.
• Politico Pro reports the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered EPA to go back and conduct an Endangered Species Act review.

World News:

• E&E Energywire reports renewable energy investment globally has more than tripled while most of the world’s power is still derived from coal.

In the news today…

Mining:

• POGO carries an article which argues that policies on critical minerals were designed to accommodate the mining industry.
• The Heartland Institute reports the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia affirmed the decision not to impose new national financial assurance requirements on the hardrock mining industry.
• The Center for Public Integrity reports “zombie” coal and uranium mines are idling indefinitely, throwing workers into limbo and side-stepping legally mandated environmental cleanup.
• Real Clear Politics (DC) carries an op-ed by Jeffrey Green, president and founder of J.A. Green & Co., in which he argues the U.S. must free itself from its dependence on foreign rare earths and support domestic production.

Coal:

• The Appalachian News-Express reports the Pike County Fiscal Court may take action against Cambrian Holding Company for unpaid taxes.
• E&E News PM reports environmentalists are arguing that the Trump administration is not adequately protecting aquatic species from the effects of Appalachian coal mining.
• The Wall Street Journal reports the decline in coal is hitting the economy of Wyoming significantly, affecting production and employment.
• Politico Pro reports the UMWA president Cecil Roberts is calling for bankruptcy reform to better protect workers when coal companies go bankrupt.
• NPR reports residents of a Wyoming town affected by the bankruptcy of Blackjewel are feeling that it is the end of the coal era.
• Argus reports the UMWA president says that the coal industry is still under pressure and calls for developing technology to remove carbon from coal combustion.

FERC:

• Argus reports the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission intends to act soon on a sweeping review of pipeline rates, a contested proceeding related to electric grid resilience and updates to renewable energy policy.

Hurricane Dorian:

• Argus reports several major ports are closed due to the incoming Hurricane; the US Coast Guard reopened Florida ports after the major storm threat passed.

2020 Debates:

• E&E Greenwire reports UMWA President Cecil Roberts is urged Democratic presidential candidates to consult miners on climate policy ahead of last night’s climate change town hall.
• The Associated Press reports UMWA president Cecil Roberts says presidential candidates must account for thousands of coal workers whose jobs are at risk because of mine closures.

In the news today…

Coal:

• WVPB reports the downturn in the coal industry has affected the riverboat industry as well, which made much of its money towing coal barges.
• The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports experts disagree on whether coal’s decline will level out or become a steeper drop.
• Argus reports southeastern US ports closed in preparation for Hurricane Dorian as the storm is predicted to turn largely away from Florida and head north.

Minerals:

• Mining.com reports copper fell to its lowest since 2017 as investors faced fresh evidence of a global slowdown and fading prospects for a de-escalation in the US-China trade war.

Climate:

• Politico Pro reports Sen. Cory Booker’s plan to combat climate change aims to have a carbon neutral economy by 2045 and would bar all new fossil fuel leases on federal land.
• Politico Pro reports Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s plan to combat climate change would focus on reinstating Obama-era policies such as the Clean Power Plan.
• Politico Pro reports Julian Castro’s plan to combat climate change which would aim for a 50 percent greenhouse gas reduction by 2030.
• Politico Pro reports Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s plan to address climate change which would target eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, vehicles and the electric grid while creating millions of new jobs in manufacturing and clean energy.
• Politico Pro reports Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s three-pronged plan to tackle climate change by calling for an economy-wide carbon price and by targeting a “thriving” carbon removal industry by 2040.
• Politico Pro reports Sen. Kamala Harris’ plan to address climate change, calling for $10 trillion in public and private funding to create a carbon-neutral economy and invoking her past as a prosecutor to target companies that are driving greenhouse gas emissions.