In the news today…
Grid:
- Utility Dive reports that President Biden pledges to transform Puerto Rico’s power system as thousands remain without power.
- Missouri Independent reports that Missouri agriculture groups renew their opposition to the Grain Belt Express transmission line as the developer seeks to add a 40-mile connector line that would boost the project’s capacity by five times.
- Star Tribune reports that Minnesota clean energy experts say building out transmission lines faster will allow for more renewables on the grid and limit the risks of power supply shortages.
Regulations:
- E&E Daily reports prominent House Republicans are accusing Biden administration officials of abusing their executive powers, foreshadowing an escalation over regulations should the GOP take over the House or Senate next year.
- E&E Daily reports lawmakers hope they can revive permitting reform talks over the next three months, but they face fundamental political divides that have dogged environmental debates for decades.
Clean Water Act:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Supreme Court is grappling with whether a new test is needed to best identify federally protected waters — a thorny issue that’s triggered decades of shifting rules, lawsuits and intense lobbying among developers, farmers and environmental groups.
Coal:
- Bloomberg reports that global carbon emissions from power plants may be headed for a record high this year after summer droughts and heatwaves boosted coal- and natural gas-fired generation.
- E&E Energywire reports German energy company RWE said Tuesday that it will phase out the burning of coal by 2030, saving 280 million metric tons of climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.