In the news today…
Coal:
- Argus reports West Virginia lawmakers have passed two bills aimed at easing coal producers’ tax burdens.
- E&E Daily News reports the White House has remained silent in the face of demands from union miners concerning mounting pension problems.
- Argus reports Wyoming governor Mark Gordon has signed legislation designed to extend the lives of coal-fired plants in the state.
- The Salt Lake Tribune reports $53 million is being invested in ‘throughput infrastructure’ in Utah to support loans that promote projects for moving Utah coal, oil and natural gas to markets.
Utilities:
- E&E Energywire carries a report questioning whether states and cities can meet their 100% renewable energy goals considering the technology is not yet available.
EPA:
- PoliticoPro reports the Trump administration has dropped its bid to delay implementation of the WOTUS rule, ensuring a patchwork of Clean Water Act regulations across the country for the time being.
- InsideEPA reports chemical industry officials are acknowledging that the revised Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) does not go as far as they had hoped in preempting state rules and are seeking to assure local regulators and consumers that EPA’s implementation of the new law will mitigate risks and the growing regulatory and retail patchwork.
Infrastructure:
- E&E News PM reports President Trump’s budget request includes $200 billion for “infrastructure priorities”.
White House:
- PoliticoPro reports the Trump administration’s Interior Department budget request recommends slashing spending across a number of programs, including the National Park Service, wildfire management and conservation efforts, while boosting offshore energy and onshore coal development funding.
World News:
- Reuters reports China expands its transition from coal to gas based fuel, even as it incorporates more ultra-low emissions technology at more than 80 percent of its total coal-fired power generation capacity.