Monthly Archives: March 2020

In the news today…

Coal:

• Argus reports two coal friendly bills aimed at growing the Powder River basin market are advancing through the Wyoming legislature.
• Bloomberg reports U.S. coal consumption dropped 13 percent last year, with a similar drop expected in 2020.

Carbon Capture:

• WyoFile reports the Wyoming House passed a bill to subsidize carbon capture projects through Wyoming residents’ electrical bills.
• Argus reports speakers at the American Coal Council’s Spring Coal Forum said developing carbon capture technology could do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions than trying to limit the use of coal.

Solar:

• Energy News Network reports that utilities and developers are preparing to build thousands of megawatts of solar across Michigan, but most communities don’t have local policies to govern the land-use impacts, researchers find.

Climate:

• The Oregonian reports that Oregon Democrats abruptly adjourned the state legislature for the year, 11 days after Republicans walked out over a contentious cap-and-trade bill.
• WVTF reports the Virginia’s House barely passes the Clean Economy Act, an omnibus energy bill to get the state to zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In the news today…

American Energy Innovation Act:

• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a press release of quotes concerning the American Energy Innovation Act.
• The Epoch Times reports on the American Energy Innovation Act.

EPA:

• E&E Greenwire reports EPA’s Science Advisory Board has said some of the changes made to the WOTUS rule are not sufficiently based in science.

Coal:

• Utility Dive reports Department of Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette spoke optimistically about a new, low emissions coal fleet and the Coal FIRST initiative.
• Argus reports a federal appeals court ruled that the U.S. Forest Service improperly opened 4,900 acres of land in Colorado to coal leasing and mining for the expansion of Arch Coal’s West Elk mine.
• Argus reports Natural Resource Partners’ executive has acquired about 1 million acres of mineral reserves and leases properties to Central Appalachian coal producers.
• Argus reports Foresight Energy will shut its Shay No. 1 coal mine in Illinois because of challenging market conditions.

In the news today…

American Energy Innovation Act:

• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a press release containing his remarks before Congress in favor of the American Energy Innovation Act.
• WV Metro News covers the progress of the American Energy Innovation Act.
• Utility Dive reports the American Energy Innovation Act will include provisions for carbon capture.

Coal:

• E&E Greenwire reports coal production and demand have decreased even with the lifting of the coal leasing moratorium.
• Beaumont Enterprise and Mining.com report FERC’s change to the pricing rule will unfairly favor coal plants.
• Montana Public Radio reports NorthWestern Energy, Montana’s largest utility, has warned the public of potential blackouts if coal plants continue to close.
• S&P Global reports coal deliveries to U.S. power plants fell 6.7 percent in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

FERC:

• E&E Energywire reports advocates filed a lawsuit over FERC’s minimum offer price rule (MOPR) change.