In the news today…
Coal:
- McClatchy reports on Tuesday’s hearing, which centered on a proposed ban on mountaintop removal mining until a health study can be conducted. Opponents to the ban warned that coal production across Appalachia could be shuttered by such action.
- Washington Examiner reports coal-fired plants kept electricity on during cold snaps, but also argues that all power supplies are stretched by extreme cold and suggests the answer is to increase transmission lines across states.
- Utility Dive reports three coal-related bills passed in Montana, from setting wages at plants through the end of generation activity to transition aids to providing low-interest loans for coal-fired generation.
- The Champaign News-Gazette reports Sunrise Coal is one permit closer to opening the Bulldog Mine in eastern Illinois. Sunrise Coal still requires a permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Mining:
- E&E Greenwire provides a background of ‘Mine 9’, the upcoming movie about coal miners trapped in an Appalachian mine.
Clean Water Act:
- InsideEPA reports President Trump will issue an executive order to have EPA “review and update” its policies governing state reviews of federal projects under section 401 of the Clean Water Act with the aim to reduce delays in permitting and development of energy infrastructure projects.
- E&E Daily reports Republican senators reintroduced a bill which limit the time states have to review Clean Water Act permits and limit states’ ability to block Clean Water Act permits.
- PoliticoPro reports President Trump aims to curtail states’ power to block new energy projects under the Clean Water Act.
- The Wall Street Journal reports Trump will sign two executive orders aimed at blunting the ability of environmental activists and state regulators to use the Clean Water Act to obstruct energy projects.
Carbon Capture and Storage:
- InsideEPA reports the Trump administration is planning to support carbon capture and storage more widely as an alternative to policies which cut greenhouse gas emissions.
World News:
- The New York Times reports the state of affairs in the Jiu Valley of Romania, once a thriving coal town.
- Utility Dive reports worldwide energy demand surged last year, with natural gas accounting for 45% of the rise and renewables increasing by 4% to a total of 25% of global output for 2018. Coal’s overall place has declined but demand for coal has risen slightly for two years.
- The Wall Street Journal reports on China’s dependence on coal and air quality concerns.