In the news today and from the weekend…
Mining:
- The Allegheny Front reports two unions are suing the federal agency in charge of mine safety, demanding it impose emergency rules to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among coal miners.
- Inside EPA reports fishing experts are reiterating their opposition to the planned Pebble Mine in Alaska ahead of the Army Corps of Engineers’ imminent final environmental study of the project, saying now is a critical time for the public to weigh in and hoping EPA or the White House will still move to block the mine over fears about its environmental harms.
EPA:
- Politico Pro reports a coalition of 22 environmental and public health groups, joined by the NAACP, sued EPA on Friday over its revisions to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.
Minerals:
- E&E Daily reports senators this week will assess the novel coronavirus pandemic’s impact on mineral supplies and consider challenges to preventing disruptions in a Wednesday hearing.
Coal:
- La Junta Tribune-Democrat reports the Platte River Power authority will retire its last coal power plant.
- E&E Climatewire reports coal plant retirements under the Trump administration have eclipsed those that occurred during the last four years of Barack Obama’s presidency.
- Axios reports coal has global persistence even though it is receding in the U.S.
- Associated Press reports a utility that serves about 145,000 customers in southwestern Indiana plans to close three coal-fired power plants while adding solar and wind power as part of a larger proposal that environmental groups are criticizing because it would keep one coal power plant in operation.
Climate:
- The Hill reports that the Vatican is urging Catholics to divest from fossil fuels.