Happy Friday!
In the news today…
Media Alert:
- Thanks to the Bakersfield Californian (Calif.) and Elko Daily Free Press (Nev.) for carrying my new op-ed on how Congress and the states must push back on EPA’s agenda to prematurely close down coal power plants that are needed for grid reliability.
Grid:
- Utility Dive reports that a growing number of states have passed or are considering bills to give incumbent utilities first rights to build transmission lines that grid operators would normally put out to bid, which could have large financial implications amid a widespread transmission buildout.
EPA:
- Inside EPA reports major industry groups are urging EPA to drop its proposal to tighten national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for fine particles, arguing that the plan is discretionary and therefore unnecessary because of high implementation costs, although environmentalists are warning that any consideration of costs would be unlawful.
Mining:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Alabama-based mining company that wants to dig for titanium near Georgia’s famed Okefenokee Swamp now wants to help the Army Corps of Engineers defend its decisionmaking against a court challenge by environmentalists.
Fossil Fuels:
- Washington Examiner reports fossil fuel generation was responsible for nearly all of the additional electricity needed when demand peaked in regions affected by Winter Storm Elliot, according to a new report published this morning which found generators with on-site fuel (read coal and oil) were especially instrumental in staving off even worse blackouts.