In the news today and from the weekend…
Energy:
- Axios reporter Amy Harder looks at nine energy and climate issues to watch in 2019.
Coal:
- Washington Examiner reports the DOE released data on coal over the last two days that showed a pick-up in exports for fueling, not U.S., but foreign power plants, including those in climate change proponents France and Germany.
- Argus reports coal-fired generation produced less electricity in the largest US grid than natural gas in 2018, the first time on record that gas superseded coal in the region for a full year.
Legislation:
- WCYB reports Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine introduced the American Miners Act of 2019 on Friday to preserve pension and healthcare benefits for coal miners.
EPA:
- Inside EPA reports EPA’s plan to scrap the Obama-era finding that the costs and benefits of the utility air toxics rule make the rule “appropriate and necessary” is spurring uncertainty on how the agency will count “co-benefits” that result from reductions in non-target pollutants to justify future rules’ costs because the plan downplays such benefits but does not prohibit their consideration.
World News:
- Miami Herald reports Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to discuss efforts to wean the country off coal with senior officials this month.