Happy Friday!
In the news today…
Coal:
- The Durango Herald reports a lawsuit was filed Tuesday by conservation groups calling for GCC Energy’s King II coal mine to comply with a stricter water protection rule, a move the groups say will lead to the closure of the mine in western La Plata County.
- Casper Star Tribune reports an economist says Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s Association proposal to retire a Wyoming coal plant by 2033 is “disconcerting” for the state’s coal industry.
- Axios and Politico Pro report global coal demand is slated to rise by 2.6% next year after 2020’s steep pandemic-fueled decline, the International Energy Agency said in a report Friday.
Carbon Capture:
- Forbes reports an energy consultant says the omission of carbon capture from a California climate report highlights the uncertainty of the technology.
Mining:
- Politico Pro reports Northern Dynasty Minerals, the Canadian company trying to develop the Pebble copper and gold mine in Alaska, on Thursday said it will appeal the Trump administration’s Nov. 25 denial of necessary permits.
- E&E News PM reports a federal judge denied a bid by Blackjewel LLC’s former chief executive today to convert the coal mining company’s bankruptcy case to a liquidation.
- Argus reports US coal producer Ramaco Carbon’s Brook mine avoided another road block to its future operation, after Wyoming regulators dismissed an appeal by environmental groups challenging the mine’s permit.
EPA:
- E&E Daily reports news of Michael Regan’s forthcoming nomination to be President-elect Joe Biden’s EPA chief was mostly welcomed by Democrats and liberal activists, though some had misgivings.