In the news today…
Coal:
- E&E News PM and World Coal carry a piece that highlights a new report on advanced coal technologies and polling conducted by Morning Consult.
- Inside EPA and E&E Greenwire report the electric power sector is warning appellate judges against scrapping EPA’s extended deadlines for utilities to shut down many of their coal ash disposal sites despite a 2018 decision holding that the original rule was already too lenient, arguing that vacating the extensions would force widespread utility closures and endanger the electric grid.
- E&E Greenwire reports the DOE Wednesday offered up $38 million to help save the nation’s dwindling number of coal-fired power plants. The National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, W.Va., will oversee the research and development projects hoping to improve the coal fleet’s “performance, reliability, and flexibility.”
- E&E Climatewire reports Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed an executive order yesterday to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, bringing one of America’s largest coal producing states and carbon emitters into a coalition dedicated to upholding the terms of the Paris climate accord.
- Power Magazine reports the DOE says it will dole out $38 million for research and development projects that “improve the overall performance, reliability, and flexibility of the nation’s existing coal-fired power plant fleet.”
- Forbes carries an op-ed from Jude Clemente, Principal at JTC Energy Research Associates, LLC, in which he writes that China’s coal reliance is not falling nearly as fast as some like to claim. But in reality, the story of China shows that coal is nowhere near as “dead” as its opponents want you to believe
Utilities:
- E&E Energywire reports FirstEnergy Solutions, the bankrupt former affiliate of FirstEnergy Corp., still is actively seeking federal aid for its coal and nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Energy:
- POLITICO Pro reports the White House is weighing a new round of executive actions to boost the U.S. energy industry in an attempt to portray strength against Russia.