In the news today and from the weekend…
Grid:
- E&E News reports clean energy advocates say it’s inappropriate for grid operator MISO to be weighing in with support for proposed natural gas plants in its territory when the organization should be neutral on energy sources.
Mining:
- Reuters reports U.S. mining companies, automakers and a bipartisan group of congressional members are recommending that the federal government cut the time needed to permit a new mine in order to boost domestic production of electric vehicle minerals.
- Inside EPA reports as the Biden administration weighs the need for reforming mining policies to bolster critical supply chains for low-carbon technologies, environmental and industry groups are renewing debate over whether EPA’s Superfund financial assurance requirements are needed — or could be justified — to ensure contaminated mining activities are remediated.
- Wall Street Journal reports for electric vehicles to qualify for Washington’s new tax credits, a wave of investment in mineral extraction and processing will have to follow the build-out of U.S. battery plants.
- E&E Daily reports Congress returns from its recess this week to face major questions over a promised vote on permitting reform.
Minerals/Metals:
- Reuters reports Piedmont Lithium Inc said on Thursday it will build a lithium processing plant in Tennessee to supply the rapidly-growing electric vehicle (EV) industry.