In the news today and from the weekend…
Coal:
- S&P Global Platts reports global thermal coal demand is expected to increase in coming years, but whether supply will be able to match remains questionable.
- S&P Global Platts reports significant restraints for the global coal industry, such as access to capital, lack of capital discipline and negative public perception.
- The Farmington Daily Times reports the San Juan mine could continue to provide coal until 2033, based on a recommendation from the final Environmental Impact Statement for the mine’s Deep Lease Extension.
- Greentech Media reports Germany is looking to reuse coal plants as energy storage assets for batteries.
- The Associated Press reports Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill that would have authorized the state to sue Washington over its rejection of a proposed coal export terminal, saying the state should have “a coherent approach” to the issue.
- Energy News Network reports Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam vetoed legislation which would have kept Virginia out of carbon-cutting initiatives such as a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants unless approved by two-thirds of the General Assembly.
- The Washington Examiner reports the new FERC member Bernard McNamee wants to prove he’s not simply a rubber stamp for Trump’s mission to save coal and nuclear plants, and is now bullish about renewables.
- WV Metro News reports Gov. Jim Justice isn’t sure what he’ll do with legislation that would cut steam coal severance taxes over the next few years, stating it’s a really difficult position to be in.
EPA:
- InsideEPA reports John Graham, deregulatory chief under President George W. Bush, says the Trump EPA may have opened themselves to litigation and needs to shore up on its efforts to roll back Obama-era climate rules.
- E&E News PM reports opponents of the Obama-era Clean Water Rule, WOTUS, are urging a federal court to expedite its review of the regulation and strike it down.
- PoliticoPro reports today will be the public hearing for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) to determine if it was appropriate and necessary to regulate mercury from power plants.
Carbon Capture:
- E&E News PM reports House lawmakers from both parties are rallying behind legislation to give a tax break to coal projects looking to use technologies like carbon capture and sequestration.
Grid Reliability:
- PoliticoPro carries an interview with ISO New England vice president for market operations Robert Ethier, who states that ISO New England does not regret the closing of its coal plants and asserts they have reliability despite importing natural gas.