In the news today and from the weekend…
Mining:
- S&P Global reports House Democrats latest version of a sweeping social spending bill dropped a provision to impose royalties on hard-rock mining on federal lands.
- Politico Pro reports just four years ago, Maine lawmakers passed one of the most restrictive mining laws in the country, making it very difficult — and in some cases impossible — to open new mines. But the energy transition could test that resolve, with a Canadian company vying to explore for minerals vital for clean technology.
- Politico Pro reports there’s enough lithium in rural North Carolina to supply 3 million EVs a year. Its fate is in the hands of seven county commissioners.
- Politico Pro reports supporters of blocking a controversial mining project on holy Apache land in Arizona are disappointed House Democrats stripped language from their sweeping climate and social programs bill and suspect it was to help vulnerable members win reelection in 2022.
Coal:
- Politico Pro reports the Biden administration arrived this month at international climate talks in Scotland with the intent to prove the United States was again ready to lead the fight against global warming. But when more than 40 countries signed a pledge to phase out coal in the coming decades, the United States was conspicuously absent.
Energy:
- The Daily Wire reports Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told CNN on Sunday that Americans will pay more to heat their homes this winter as energy prices continue to skyrocket and that the administration hopes that gas prices do not hit $4 per gallon.
Carbon Capture:
- The New York Times reports the U.S. Department of Energy on Friday unveiled its biggest effort yet to drastically reduce the cost of technologies that suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, in a recognition that current strategies to lower greenhouse gases may not be enough to avert the worst effects of climate change.
- Washington Examiner reports House Democrats’ $1.85 trillion climate and social spending bill could make it economical for natural gas plants to trap carbon dioxide coming out of the smokestack before it can enter the atmosphere and warm the planet.
Congress:
- Politico Pro reports Congressional Democrats painted a rosy view this past weekend of the prospects for swift legislative action on their massive, $1.7 trillion climate and social spending package.
- Politico Pro reports the House approved bipartisan infrastructure legislation Friday following months of negotiations and Democratic infighting over how to handle the president’s agenda.
World News:
- Mining.com reports from Bloomberg an energy crisis in two of Asia’s key economies that caused power shortages, sent fuel prices surging and risked slowing growth is beginning to ease, though bitter winter weather will pose further challenges.
- Politico Pro reports China’s overseas purchases of coal nearly doubled in October from a year ago as the government leaned on importers to help ease a nationwide power shortage caused in large part by a shortage of the fuel.