In the news today and from the weekend…
Climate:
- Reuters reports that according to an analysis by a media company, the U.S. power industry would likely be unable to meet Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s mandate of carbon-free power by 2035 without some major developments in renewables and other technologies, such as battery storage, carbon capture and advanced nuclear power. In a survey of many of the country’s largest power producers, most reported that these technologies are either not yet commercially viable or are too costly to deploy.
Mining:
- Mining.com reports an international team of researchers has discovered that carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in making metals used in green technologies accessible for mining.
- Axios reports the world’s transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles will require unprecedented amounts of copper from potentially new mining operations that may harm vulnerable species and ecosystems.
- E&E Energywire reports following the template of other fossil fuel-producing states, the Utah Legislature took steps last month that aim to help oil, gas and mining operations weather the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.
Technology:
- Associated Press reports Wyoming’s governor is promoting a Trump administration study that says capturing carbon dioxide emitted by coal-fired power plants would be an economical way to curtail the pollution — findings questioned by a utility that owns the plants and wants to shift away from the fossil fuel in favor of wind and solar energy.
Energy:
- Inside Climate News reports Exelon wants a subsidy to keep two nuclear plants running, reigniting a longstanding—and acrimonious—debate.
- Argus reports the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) expects to have enough capacity to meet peak demand this autumn and winter.
- Argus reports US utility Dominion Energy South Carolina issued a solicitation for coal for deliveries beginning next year.
- The Wall Street Journal reports coal is becoming competitive with natural gas again due to higher natural gas prices.
- Reuters reports the California Independent System Operator (ISO) declared a “Stage 2” power emergency late on Saturday, warning that rotating power outages were possible amid a record heat wave.
FERC:
- E&E Energywire reports the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission moved late Friday to block proposed market changes by New York’s grid operator aimed at better aligning with the state’s clean energy goals.
NEPA:
- E&E Energywire reports a federal judge last week told government attorneys to stay in “political reality” during arguments over whether conservation groups will be irreparably harmed once new implementing rules for a bedrock environmental statute go into effect.