In the news today…
Coal:
- Cronkite News reports a Navajo Transitional Energy Company program continues to provide coal to tribal citizens for free during the winter months.
- Argus reports the potential impact of president-elect Joe Biden’s presidency on the US coal market remains murky, as control of the Senate has yet to be decided, and the Covid-19 pandemic may consume his first 100 days in office, speakers said today during the American Coal Council’s Coal Trading Conference.
- E&E Climatewire reports the U.S. coal fleet continues to shutter. But the plants that remain could continue to run for years, making it increasingly difficult to reduce emissions.
Mining:
- The Hill reports the Trump administration is on track to approve a land swap this month that would transfer a sacred Native American site in Arizona to a mining company looking to build a copper mine.
- The National Law Review reports EPA has declined to impose CERCLA financial assurance requirements on three industry sectors.
Congress:
- Politico Pro reports the House overwhelmingly approved a measure on Tuesday for new water infrastructure projects and setting policy for the Army Corps of Engineers, sending it to the Senate on a voice vote.
- E&E Daily reports the Trump administration offered congressional Democrats a $916 billion COVID-19 relief proposal last night that includes top priorities for both parties, including $10 billion for AML.
- E&E Daily reports Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso, likely chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee next year, is a complicated lawmaker.
- E&E Daily reports lawmakers are making a push for broad tax policy changes in the closing days of the 116th Congress, with at least three new bills emerging yesterday.
EPA:
- E&E News PM reports newly publicized EPA draft guidance interpreting a landmark Supreme Court opinion on groundwater’s role in Clean Water Act permitting may leave the agency vulnerable to legal challenges.