In the news today…
Coal:
- Axios carries a piece from Sunrise Project’s Justin Guay, in which he writes on a report showing that more than 100 globally significant financial institutions have now restricted access to financing for the coal industry.
- Wyoming Public Media reports a bill seeking to keep retiring coal plants alive has passed third reading out of Wyoming’s House of Representatives today: 50-8-2. It would obligate utilities to look for another potential buyer in good-faith and accept any reasonable offer.
- Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the West Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday adopted Delegate Eric Nelson’s amendment to phase in a reduction of the severance tax on steam coal from 5 percent to 3 percent over two years.
- Energy News Network reports a recent study highlights the $8.2 billion New England spends on imported fossil fuels each year.
- Utility Dive reports city officials in Farmington, New Mexico say they’ve reached an agreement with an investor to extend the life of a local coal-fired power plant but the news is a surprise to the facility’s majority owner.
EPA:
- Politico Pro reports EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine said the agency was shifting its Clean Air Act enforcement away from power plants to focus on reducing pollution from sources like cars and trucks.
- Politico Pro reports EPA will hold a public hearing next month on its proposed changes to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS), and is extending the public comment period as well.
Power Grid:
- E&E Energywire reports bitter cold during last month’s polar vortex has generated more debate about the increasing role of wind energy in the Upper Midwest.
Nominations:
- Politico Pro reports the Senate will take a key procedural vote on the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to lead the EPA today at 12:15 p.m.
- Politico Pro reports former DOE lawyer David Hill has emerged as the Trump administration’s leading pick to fill the open seat at FERC, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
Natural Resources:
- E&E Daily reports the House last night overwhelmingly passed a massive, bipartisan public lands package, securing well over the two-thirds’ support needed to pass the legislation under suspension.