In the news today…
Grid:
- RTO Insider (subscription) reports that Illinois regulators and consumer advocates raise concerns with regional grid operators MISO and PJM about the delay in connecting renewable energy projects to the grid as a large number of coal plants come offline.
- Utility Dive reports that the Texas House weighs Senate-approved plan to incentivize new gas plants as grid faces dicey summer. The Texas Senate on Thursday voted 27-4 to advance a plan to provide incentives and including 20-year, zero-interest loans to companies building gas-fired power plants and the House of Representatives has scheduled a Wednesday hearing to consider the measure, SB 2627.
Permitting:
- Fox News reports the Biden administration announced a southern Arizona mining project would be the first to ever receive special permitting fast-track coverage despite concerns over ecological impacts.
- Washington Post reports House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has pushed to include Republicans’ energy package — including provisions aimed at speeding up the permitting process for energy projects — in a deal to raise the government’s debt ceiling. But his efforts to include a permitting overhaul face long odds, for at least three big reasons.
Mining:
- Mining.com reports the top lawyer for Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass project, which is developing the largest lithium deposit in the United States in northwest Nevada, says it could be free of legal challenges by late summer or early fall.
- E&E Daily reports bipartisan lawmakers from mining-heavy Western states are pushing legislation to tackle growing legal challenges facing U.S. mining, triggering pushback from tribal, climate and conservation groups.
EPA:
- E&E Energywire reports the looming EPA rule on power plants is expected to point to carbon capture as a viable option to cut emissions.