In the news today…
EPA:
- Inside EPA has coverage on Thursday’s EPA public hearing on the proposed changes to the 2015 new source performance standards (NSPS). Katie Sweeney is quoted.
- E&E Greenwire reports Congressional appropriators dismissed President Trump’s drive to slash EPA’s budget, opting instead for the status quo. Negotiators released legislation late last night to fund several agencies like the DOI and EPA for the remainder of the fiscal year and avoid another partial government shutdown.
- E&E Greenwire reports Michael McKown, senior vice president of law and administration at Murray Energy Corp., told EPA Thursday that the agency doesn’t have the legal standing to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new coal-fired power plants.
- Politico Pro reports Senate Majority Leader McConnell Thursday filed cloture on Andrew Wheeler’s nomination to lead the EPA, a key procedural step that indicates a floor vote is imminent.
Coal:
- The Hill and Politico Pro report the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) board voted to shut down a Kentucky coal-fired power plant Thursday, days after President Trump publicly called on them to keep it open.
- E&E Energywire and The Olympian reports the Trump administration on Thursday announced the approval of two coal mining projects in southern Utah, including one nestled between two national parks in the state’s red rock region.
- Metro News WV reports Arch Coal announced Thursday work has begun to develop another coal operation in northern West Virginia which will create 600 mining jobs when fully operational.
- E&E Greenwire reports Navajo and environmental groups plan to sue Peabody Energy Corp. if it does not address alleged issues with the closure of its coal mine supplying the presently doomed Navajo Generating Stations.
- WTRF 7 News reports Bob Murray made a visit to West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. Mr. Murray said his message was the absolute necessity of reducing the severance tax on thermal coal — that’s power plant coal — in West Virginia.
- E&E Climatewire reports a Wyoming bill would keep coal-fired power plants from closing.
- Axios reports coal exports out of Australia brought in record-high revenue last year, according to government data released this month
Energy:
- Morning Consult (DC) carries an op-ed from Winston Porter, a former assistant administrator at the EPA, in which he warns the U.S. is becoming over-reliant on natural gas while not properly valuing the contribution of traditional baseload sources of power.
- The Tribune-Democrat (PA) carries an op-ed from Rachel Gleason, executive director of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance in Harrisburg. In the piece, Gleason writes that, if the U.S. is to keep meeting the ongoing power needs of a growing nation, it would be sensible to ensure that coal plants remain in operation.