In the news today…
Coal:
- S&P Global reports Longview Power LLC, the company behind one of the newest and most efficient coal-fired power plants in the U.S., is seeking investors to help make the plant part of a diversified energy complex with new solar and natural gas facilities just outside of Morgantown, W.Va.
- E&E Greenwire reports WildEarth Guardians, the Sierra Club and other organizations filed suit yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, accusing the Interior Department of ignoring the costs of environmental damage associated with an expansion of the Bull Mountains Mine No. 1 — even after a federal judge in 2017 ordered the agency to take a closer look at the project’s impacts.
- Bloomberg reports New York’s plan to put the state’s last coal-fired power plants out of business hasn’t even been approved yet and electricity is already trading like they’re shut. While the plan wouldn’t kick in until 2021, it’s already affecting power markets and shows that these efforts may come with a cost.
- E&E Daily reports the United Mine Workers of America did not receive federal funding this week to reimburse health care providers for treatment provided to thousands of retired workers. Now, lawmakers are scrambling to guarantee the money would be promptly dispersed.
Congress:
- POLITICO Pro reports Reps. Paul Tonko and John Shimkus, the top Democrat and Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee, voiced support Thursday for holding an oversight hearing on implementation of a 2016 update to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
- The Hill reports Rep. Jared Huffman’s (D-Calif.) is working with his colleagues to introduce a nonbinding measure to support the Paris climate agreement. If it gets a vote in the full House, it would be a rebuke to President Trump’s 2017 decision to pull out of the climate pact.
- E&E Daily reports Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the newest lawmaker to lead Senate Democrats on top of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has faced criticisms from environmental groups about his strong support of coal, but his positions on the permitting and build-out of natural gas and oil pipelines may prove more consequential during the coming two years.
Electricity:
- E&E Energywire reports the chairwoman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) has instructed the main grid manager to implement changes as part of a larger plan to ensure there’s enough power when demand soars this summer. The directive arrived as Texas is grappling with a plan for yet another coal plant to leave the market.