In the news today…
Coal:
- Bloomberg reports Acme Equities LLC is in talks to buy the San Juan Generating Station for $1 to avoid the loss of about 1,600 jobs in the area.
- Utility Dive reports Wyoming passed a coal support bill to save ailing plants by encouraging the sale of coal-fired power plants instead of retiring them.
- The Birmingham Business Journal reports the Alabama coal industry posted record gains in met coal exports in 2018.
- The State Journal reports the West Virginia Legislature passed a coal tax rebate program designed to boost production by making it easier to procure new equipment.
- Farmington Daily Times reports the support, opposition and uncertainty surrounding decisions to acquire the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta Mine in Arizona.
Energy:
- The Washington Examiner reports Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin don’t support a carbon tax.
- Greentech Media reports New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to sign a bill to commit New Mexico to carbon free electricity by 2045.
- Minnesota Public Radio reports Minnesota utilities are pushing back on the 100% carbon-free energy proposal because they oppose state mandates.
EPA:
- InsideEPA reports a federal appellate court is slated to hear arguments today, March 13, on whether the Trump EPA was justified in discarding a proposed rule to set first-time Superfund financial requirements for the hardrock mining sector.
- Chron and InsideEPA report EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler claimed that U.S. fossil fuels were “cleaner” than those from other countries and encouraged foreign customers to buy American oil, coal and natural gas.
Budget:
- The Washington Examiner reports the emphasis on coal, nuclear and national security over renewable energy and climate change in President Trump’s 2020 budget.
- E&E Daily reports six numbers to note in Trump’s fiscal budget on energy and the environment.
Mine Reclamation and Solar Power: