Author Archives: Terry M. Jarrett

In the news today…

Coal:

• The Lexington Herald Leader reports the coal industry lost in its attempt to obtain coronavirus relief.
• The State Impact Pennsylvania reports the UMWA has written a letter about the concerns of COVID-19 on black lung patients.
• Mining.com reports the current situation is further exacerbating problems for the coal industry.
• S&P Global reports the coal industry will see more bankruptcies and closures according to Moody’s.
• Earther reports U.S. fossil fuel companies could profit from a coronavirus stimulus package.
• Argus reports the stimulus bill passed the Senate without direct coal aid.
• The Bismarck Tribune carries a letter in response to a previous negative coal article; the letter defends the value of coal in North Dakota.
• The Washington Examiner reports the global number of coal plants is only rising in China; in the U.S., coal plants are declining.

Minerals:

• E&E Greenwire reports Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the pandemic has made clear the need to stop relying on China and foreign countries for uranium and other minerals.
• E&E Greenwire reports the Minnesota Supreme Court has agreed to hear PolyMet Mining Corp.’s appeal of a ruling that canceled three permits needed for its proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota.

In the news today…

Coal:

• The New Yorker reported on the divestment from carbon-intensive industries in its article on climate change activism.
• The Philadelphia Inquirer reports many industries which have had ill practices like avoiding taxes are asking for a bailout.
• The Hill reports industries are asking for a consistent definition of critical infrastructure on the federal level to protect against state actions.
• Carbon Brief reports methane emissions from coal mines could be more than double previous estimates, exceeding that of oil and gas.
• E&E Greenwire reports environmental groups are trying to challenge the Court’s decision to allow an expansion permit to the Four Corners power plant in Navajo Nation.
• E&E News PM reports new draft guidance from the EPA would change how New Source Review permitting is handled for expansions and upgrades at power plants.

Minerals:

• The Salt Lake Tribune reports Lisbon Valley Mining Company has shut down its copper mine in Utah due to the global economic situation, including the coronavirus.
• Mining.com reports the coronavirus has slowed U.S. demand for minerals for electric vehicles.

Stimulus:

• E&E Daily reports the Senate has approved the stimulus package; the House will vote tomorrow.

In the news today…

Coal:

• E&E Greenwire reports various industry groups are asking for federal and state aid.
• WKMS reports the Ohio Valley coal industry is bracing for impacts from COVID-19.
• Argus reports U.S. coal-fired generation fell sharply in January.
• S&P Global reports U.S. coal stockpiles totaled 134 million st in January, a 26-month high.

Carbon Capture:

• E&E Energywire reports the world’s largest carbon capture and sequestration project, the retrofitting of the San Juan Generating Station, is not viable.

Mining:

• The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports an air permit was rejected for PolyMet Mining Corp.’s proposed copper-nickel mine.

Stimulus:

• The Hill reports that the White House and Senate have reached a deal on a $2 trillion stimulus package they hope will keep the nation from falling into a deep recession because of the coronavirus crisis.

In the news today…

Coal:

• E&E Daily reports multiple activists are asking for aid for coal industry as an essential industry.
• The Virginia Mercury reports Virginia mines currently remain open despite COVID-19.
• The Ohio Valley ReSource reports Ohio mines remain open but economic distress is still expected.
• Raw Story reports CEOs are asking for bailouts because their industries can’t handle a few weeks of economic distress.
• The Register Herald reports West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice called coal an essential business.
• The Associated Press reports the TVA power plant at Paradise burned its last load of coal last month.
• E&E Energywire reports coal has become the world’s most expensive fossil fuel.

ACE Rule:

• Inside EPA reports opponents of EPA’s ACE rule are filing a request for more time to file their opening brief due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mining:

• E&E Daily reports Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum has turned to Canada to oppose the Twin Metals mine.

Electric Grid:

• Utility Dive reports that grid operators and utilities say it’s too early to determine the impact of widespread closures on the grid, but some are already seeing a drop in power demand. 

Legislation:

• NPR reports that efforts to address climate change and the clean energy sector are among the factors delaying a coronavirus stimulus bill in Congress.

In the news today…

Coal:

• Reuters, E&E Daily and E&E Energywire report the National Mining Association submitted a letter requesting financial assistance for the coal industry in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide and Mining Journal report U.S. coal exports declined in 2019 according to EIA.
• Wyofile reports Wyoming’s legislature focused on initiatives that will have a significant impact on energy production, notably on coal, before adjourning for the year.
• The New York Times reports New York’s last coal-fired power plant is closing.

Carbon Capture:

• E&E Energywire reports the 2-year-old State Carbon Capture Deployment Work Group has produced an interactive map of the U.S. representing its view of how grid and industrial CO2 emitters could be linked into a network for reducing CO2 emissions.

Minerals:

• The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports Minnesota regulators have asked the Trump administration to provide the research from an aborted federal study about the impacts of copper mining on the Superior National Forest and its Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, within 30 days.
• RealClearEnergy (DC) carries an op-ed by Rich Nolan of the National Mining Association advocating for strategic support for the mining industry in the face of COVID-19.

In the news today…

Coal:

• Washington Examiner reports FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee said communities, including fossil fuel communities, need to adapt as market forces change the energy industry.
• WEVV reports Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is more concerned with grid reliability and costs to ratepayers than coal mine closures.
• Argus reports Millennium Bulk Terminals has lost another appeal in the effort to open a coal terminal in Washington state.

Mining:

• E&E Greenwire reports a federal judge sided with the Trump administration on reinstating two federal mineral leases necessary for the controversial Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota.
• Mining.com reports Rise Gold announced that there were no significant environmental impacts linked to reopening the Idaho-Maryland gold mine in California.

COVID-19:

• The Duluth News Tribune reports a recession caused by COVID-19 is bad news for steel demand, which is bad for mines in the Iron Range of Minnesota.
• Mining.com reports miners continue to work despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the news today…

Coal:

• Argus reports Illinois basin coal producer Hallador Energy will cut its workforce by 60 more people following the permanent closing of its Carlisle mine in Indiana.

Minerals:

• The Financial Times carries an op-ed which highlights the unsavory global origins of minerals used in the green revolution and promotes the ERGI Toolkit.
• Arizona Republic reports environmentalists and tribal leaders are gearing up to address a long-anticipated recommendation to reopen the Grand Canyon region to uranium mining.
• The Lewiston Morning Tribune carries a Letter to the Editor which argues that Midas Gold and Barrick Gold aren’t in Idaho to clean up Stibnite; they are there to take advantage of the outdated 1872 Mining Law, according to the author.

Mining:

• Elko Daily Free Press reports none of the nation’s mining operations is meeting the screening criteria for a Pattern of Violations, according to MSHA.
• Mining Technology reports COVID-19 is hurting the mining industry through various production problems.
• Mining.com reports the metals and mining sector will be moderately exposed as a result of the Coronoavirus outbreak worldwide.

Energy:

• Utility Dive reports that the Coronavirus outbreak will trigger an economic slowdown that’s likely to affect the broader clean energy transition, including renewables, storage and electric vehicles, according to a recent report.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

In the news today…

• Solar Power World reports that solar accounted for 40% of all new U.S. generating capacity in 2019, its highest share ever and more than any other electricity source, according to a new report.

Coal:

• The Champaign News-Gazette carries an op-ed arguing that Illinois does not need another coal plant due to environmental consequences.
• Inside EPA reports CO2 Concrete, a California firm, has found a way to easily capture carbon dioxide in concrete.
• Argus reports Arch Coal said the US Federal Trade Commission is using an antiquated view of energy markets to challenge the company’s joint venture with Peabody Energy.
• Argus reports the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has asked a federal bankruptcy court judge to order coal producer Revelation Energy to “cease its pattern of blatantly defying” environmental laws.
• Fast Company reports renewables are now cheaper than coal in major markets around the globe.

Mining:

• E&E Greenwire reports environmental regulators are moving towards permitting a copper mine in central Montana.
• E&E Greenwire reports Twin Pines Minerals will shrink the size of its proposed titanium dioxide amine near the Okefenokee Swamp.
• Mining.com carries an op-ed from Bloomberg which asserts the mining industry has talked about emissions decreases but has not come to a consensus on what that means.

Minerals:

• The Los Angeles Times reports Oakland based Lilac Solutions and the Australian company Controlled Thermal Resources announced they’re partnering to develop a lithium-extraction facility at the Salton Sea.
• Fast Company reports copper’s natural antimicrobial properties make it an ideal material for frequently used surfaces.

Energy:

• Argus reports Minnesota lawmakers are considering making renewable energy a priority in the utility planning process but must consider the role of nuclear energy.

In the news today and from the weekend…

Congress:

• E&E Daily reports a third coronavirus stimulus bill may include energy provisions.

Coal:

• Vox reports coal is now losing ground globally as country’s turn towards other sources of energy.
• Bloomberg reports the United Mine Workers of America union is warning miners that they are at significant risk from the spreading coronavirus due to black lung.

Minerals:

• Mining.com reports titanium is another critical metal and has a weakened supply chain which threatens U.S. security.
• Mining.com reports researchers have discovered a path to replacing platinum in battery compositions for EVs in an effort to reduce costs.

EPA:

• Inside EPA reports the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is directing EPA to reconsider environmentalists’ petition challenging MATS.

Politics:

• E&E News reports that in last night’s debate, presidential candidate Joe Biden announced he would oppose new hydraulic fracturing projects.

In the news today…

Coal:

• DESMOG reports the stalled energy bill would promote clean coal measures such as carbon capture.
• E&E Greenwire reports a federal judge ruled that mining regulators must redo their environmental assessment of a planned Montana coal mine.
• Terre Haute Tribune-Star reports Sunrise Coal is permanently closing its idled Carlisle mine.
• Argus reports coal generation in the Southwest Power Pool fell by 37 percent in February as wind and natural gas generation soared.
• Argus reports Illinois basin coal producer Foresight Energy is seeking bankruptcy court approval to exit a handful of export-related transportation and storage deals.

Mining:

• E&E Greenwire reports a report from Earthworks found extended water quality violations at Alaskan mines, bolstering opponents to the proposed Pebble mine.
• Mining.com reports the oil crash could be a boon for miners who benefit from lower energy prices.
• E&E Daily reports Republicans plan to boycott a hearing this morning about the Resolution Copper project and whether it would harm sites important to Native Americans.
• E&E Energywire reports the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld Winona County’s ban on the mining and processing of silica sand, which is used in the oil and gas industry for hydraulic fracturing.

NEPA:

• The Hill reports attorneys general for 18 states are asking the Trump administration to withdraw a rule that would roll back NEPA.
• E&E Energywire reports attorneys general for 20 states, cities and territories warned that the Trump administrations proposed changes to NEPA would lead to a significant increase in legal battles.

In the news today…

Coal:

• The Billings Gazette reports consideration to close Colstrip began as early as 2018, the same year the plant’s newest units malfunctioned for 77 days.
• Mining.com, E&E News PM and Argus report Foresight Energy has filed for bankruptcy, saying the global economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus situation has pushed it over the edge.
• Argus reports Peabody Energy has laid off 50 workers at its North Antelope Rochelle mine in Wyoming.
• E&E Energywire reports the Indiana bill aimed at slowing the retirement of coal-fired power plants is headed to the governor’s desk.

FERC:

• Utility Dive reports amendments were filed on the American Energy Innovation Act that would have prevented FERC from carrying out its MOPR orders, although none of the amendments were adopted.

NEPA:

• Inside EPA reports legal experts are debating whether it is appropriate for the White House CEQ to justify much of its proposal to vastly limit the reach of the NEPA on a single, unique Supreme Court ruling.

American Energy Innovation Act:

• E&E Daily reports momentum on the energy package has stalled over a vote on hydrofluorocarbons.

In the news today…

Coal:

• E&E Daily reports activists yesterday asked Congress to consider three bills that would help coal communities, including the RECLAIM Act and a bill to reauthorize the AML fee.
• Inside Climate News reports not only are coal plants closing at an accelerated rate, but the remaining plants are running at lower capacity.
• The Citizens’ Voice carries an editorial arguing it is time for President Trump to back bills such as the RECLAIM Act and the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act in order to help those in coal regions.
• Altoona Mirror carries an editorial which argues that coal’s outlook is bleak and efforts to support the industry have not gained traction.
• Argus reports Wolverine Fuels and Levin Richmond Terminal have filed separate lawsuits against Richmond, California, over its ordinance that bans coal and petroleum coke handling and storage.
• Argus reports the EIA will release its Short-Term Energy Outlook on March 11, a day later than planned.
• E&E Energywire reports the Department of Energy found that baseload generation is crucial to having affordable and reliable power during extreme weather.
• E&E Energywire reports Virginia lawmakers have moved to give regulators more control over managing early retirements of coal and gas power plants.
• The Wall Street Journal carries an editorial which argues the blockage of the joint venture between Arch Coal and Peabody Energy is part of the movement to kill coal.

Minerals

• The Missoulian carries an op-ed urging readers to support hardrock mining legislation through reformation of the General Mining Law of 1872.
• Mining.com reports Freeport-McMoRan announced that it will grow its copper and gold volumes by 30 to 40 percent; its Lone Star project in Arizona is nearing completion to help this.
• Mining.com reports a new filtration technique for extracting lithium is being developed to cut filtration time down to hours.

American Energy Innovation Act:

• E&E Daily reports bipartisan frustration over the lack of a vote on curbing superpolluting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) derailed the energy package that was widely expected to pass before the end of the week.

NEPA:

• Inside EPA reports an appellate court vacated a NEPA review the U.S. Forest Service conducted as part of a plan to open area in Colorado to coal mining.
• Bloomberg Environment reports five Democratic senators asked the White House to reconsider its plan to reform NEPA in a letter.

In the news today and from the weekend…

American Energy Innovation Act:

• The Real News Network reports on the details of the American Energy Innovation Act, including its inclusion of carbon capture.

Minerals:

• The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the Ely City Council has adopted a resolution in support of copper-nickel mines that Twin Metals and PolyMet Mining want to build in northeast Minnesota.
• E&E Energywire reports competing interests in Nevada between Ioneer Ltd., which aims to mine lithium there, and environmentalists, who wish to protect a rare strain of buckwheat.
• E&E Daily reports the debate over possible environmental impacts of a new Arizona copper mine by Resolution Copper will be the subject of a hearing in D.C. this week.

Coal:

• Law 360 reports Richmond, California’s ordinance banning the storage and handling of coal violates the U.S. and California constitutions according to coal mining and transport companies.
• Utility Dive reports the Virginia Senate passed a bill that would require greater scrutiny to coal plant closures.
• Argus reports U.S. coal exports reached a 39-month low in January amid restrained demand and still-depressed prices.
• Argus reports the Indiana legislature sent a bill intended to preserve coal-fired generation in the state to a conference committee after the Senate passed a version of the measure.

Climate:

• The Washington Post reports that the coronavirus outbreak is stunting global trade and travel and could halt emissions growth, but experts say the decline will likely be fleeting and come with social and economic trauma.

In the news today…

Coal:

• Argus reports two coal friendly bills aimed at growing the Powder River basin market are advancing through the Wyoming legislature.
• Bloomberg reports U.S. coal consumption dropped 13 percent last year, with a similar drop expected in 2020.

Carbon Capture:

• WyoFile reports the Wyoming House passed a bill to subsidize carbon capture projects through Wyoming residents’ electrical bills.
• Argus reports speakers at the American Coal Council’s Spring Coal Forum said developing carbon capture technology could do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions than trying to limit the use of coal.

Solar:

• Energy News Network reports that utilities and developers are preparing to build thousands of megawatts of solar across Michigan, but most communities don’t have local policies to govern the land-use impacts, researchers find.

Climate:

• The Oregonian reports that Oregon Democrats abruptly adjourned the state legislature for the year, 11 days after Republicans walked out over a contentious cap-and-trade bill.
• WVTF reports the Virginia’s House barely passes the Clean Economy Act, an omnibus energy bill to get the state to zero carbon emissions by 2050.