In the news today and from the weekend…
Coal:
- Argus reports an early analysis of peak power demand during the recent polar vortex shows power grids were able to perform without major issues. That could provide a compelling argument against maintaining coal-fired generation to guarantee fuel security.
- S&P Global reports Arch Coal Inc.’s stock price has been slowly climbing since green-lighting a West Virginia metallurgical coal mine that analysts are expecting to fortify the company’s post-bankruptcy strategy of directing free cash flow to shareholder value initiatives.
- E&E Greenwire reports Virginia lawmakers have approved legislation to require the state’s largest electric utility to excavate and clean up unlined coal ash pits.
- Energy News Network reports the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) issues a draft operating plan that calls for a shift from coal to natural gas and distributed generation as the electricity sector evolves in the Southeast.
- The Huntington Herald Dispatch carries an op-ed from Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. In the piece, Raney writes about the importance of keeping coal in the energy mix.
Minerals:
- E&E Energywire reports the U.S. government will lead an ambitious effort to develop technologies to recycle lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles, cellphones and other sources to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of metals crucial to battery production in anticipation of soaring global demand and potential shortages, DOE officials said Friday.
EPA:
- Politco Pro reports the EPA’s decision to not conduct a new cost-benefit analysis for its reversal of part of an Obama-era mercury rule and instead rely on old data drew pushback from inside the Trump administration, according to documents recently released by the agency.
- E&E GreenWire reports a call for clearer regulation language on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.