In the news today and from the weekend…
Energy:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Utility Air Regulatory Group, NMA, the American Farm Bureau Federation are urging the Supreme Court to strike down an agency deference rule they believe gives the executive branch too much power.
- Utility Dive reports Virginia legislators rejected an energy bill on Thursday that would have mandated all electric generation sold after 2036 come from clean energy.
- E&E Daily reports innovation will be the uniting theme of three congressional hearings next week as House and Senate energy panels start the new Congress with something the parties might find agreement on. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will pick up where she left off last session with a hearing on energy and minerals markets tomorrow.
Clean Water Act:
- E&E Greenwire reports in a letter to President Trump, the Western Governors’ Association urge Trump not to impede states’ abilities to veto Clean Water Act permits. The letter is a response to reports last week that the administration is considering executive actions to boost pipeline development across the country — a move that could include changes to states’ ability to block permits under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Coal:
- Washington Examiner reports the Trump administration is relitigating its arguments supporting coal after the fading fuel source was used more frequently this week to help meet surging power demand during the deep freeze that overtook the Midwest and East Coast.
- E&E Daily reports lawmakers have renewed their bid to fix the United Mine Workers of America pension problem while also extending health care help to even more union miners as coal companies continue to go bankrupt.
- Ohio Valley Resource reports coal mine employment hit a record low in 2018, despite President Trump’s promises to bring back coal.
- Foster’s Daily Democrat (NH) carries an op-ed from VK Mathur, a retired professor of chemical engineering, in which he calls for investment in and deployment of advanced coal technology to meet growing energy needs while reducing emissions.
Infrastructure:
- E&E Daily reports the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing this week on the country’s infrastructure needs — a key first step in the bipartisan push to pass a broad infrastructure package.