Happy April Fools Day!!
In the news today and from the weekend…
Coal:
- E&E Greenwire reports Murray Energy Corp. will purchase three metallurgical mines, marking its first foray into coal used to manufacture steel.
- AL.com reports Murray Energy Corp. will acquire two Alabama mine properties in addition to a West Virginia mine.
- The Lexington Herald Leader reports local residents at a hearing call to bar surface mining around their towns, citing potential damage to water sources and tourism.
- The Washington Post reports 2018 was the four decade law in consumption of coal, leading to hardships through job loss.
- WLUC reports the shutdown of the Presque Isle Plant in Michigan and its replacement by two natural gas plants.
- E&E Climatewire reports Idaho Power Co.’s decision to generate all its power from low-carbon sources by 2045 and that renewables are increasingly cheaper power in the West.
- Axios reports the U.S. coal industry is seeing a sectoral decline, with 19 of 27 global corporate failures for the year coming from the U.S., 4 of which were in the metals and mining space.
- Greentech Media reports a New Mexico law that mandates 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045 and includes $40 million for economic development, severance and retraining workers from the coal industry.
- The Farmington Daily Times reports the possibility of carbon capture as a solution to the closure of the San Juan Generating Station.
- Axios reports that converting coal-fired plants into production sites for lower-carbon energy sources could create jobs and improvements in health and quality of life in surrounding areas.
- Morning Consult carries an op-ed by J. Winston Porter, in which he argues that the loss in baseload coal plants denies insurance against power shortages.
- Argus reports on a recent event featuring US Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who called on innovation and technological advancement to revive the coal industry.
Renewables:
- Power Magazine reports that solar power is economical today, but comes with challenges.