In the news today…
Coal:
- WTVR reports recent polling suggest more Americans want to cut down on coal usage, with even Republicans divided on the issue.
- The Concord Monitor reports the Sierra Club and the Conservation Law Foundation have sued two utilities over a coal-fired power plant in New Hampshire, saying they are violating the Clean Water Act.
- The Washington Examiner reports scientists announced a potential breakthrough last week: a method for turning coal plant pollution into a new fuel itself for producing electricity and powering cars and trucks.
- Utility Dive reports the owners of the Navajo Generating Station say efforts to keep the facility online have stalled, and they are moving ahead with plans to decommission the plant by Dec. 22.
- Farmington Daily Times reports State Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, said Farmington could become the center of clean coal technology if Acme Equities acquires the San Juan Generating Station and installs carbon capture and sequestration technology on the plant.
Energy Policy:
- E&E Climatewire reports on Friday, the Washington Senate passed a bill that would require the state’s electric utilities to phase out coal-fired power by 2025 and transition to 100 percent carbon-neutral electricity by 2030.
- E&E Climatewire and The Star Tribune report Gov. Tim Walz has set an ambitious goal for Minnesota to get 100 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050.
Climate:
- E&E Daily reports many congressional aides and agency staffers working to combat climate change are also investing for retirement in companies that are making the problem worse.