In the news today…
Climate:
- The Hill reports the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pauses implementation of its rule requiring companies to disclose their climate-related risks, though it’ll keep defending the regulation from legal challenges.
Solar:
- Utility Dive reports energy experts broadly expect natural gas to replace most of the solar output, which could top 40 GWh total, lost during Monday’s eclipse.
Coal:
- Wisconsin Public Radio reports Wisconsin utilities are in the process of determining what’s next for the sites of the state’s large coal plants as just a few will still be producing power in the coming years.
- E&E News PM reports the Interior Department unveiled a final rule Thursday that reverses prior Trump administration policy and allows coal communities to more easily appeal to the federal government to hold mine operators accountable for environmental violations.
- Argus reports US thermal coal exports rose from year-earlier levels for a sixth month with gains in shipments to some countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America continuing to outpace declines in volumes heading to Europe.
Mining:
- E&E Greenwire reports a mining road that would cut across pristine land and critical caribou and salmon habitat in northwestern Alaska is directly in the crosshairs of the coming presidential election — and conservation groups, Trump administration alumni, Alaska lawmakers, tribes and miners are all angling to have their way.
Utilities:
- City Journal reports that Exelon Corporation affiliate PECO Energy Company’s pre-apprenticeship program points to ways that states could help train future employees in the skilled trades.