In the news today…
Coal:
- The Indianapolis Star reports Energy Policy Network is fighting to keep coal plants open across state lines.
- Argus reports the Illinois Department of Natural Resources approved a mining permit for Hallador Energy subsidiary Sunrise Coal’s proposed Bulldog coal mine.
- Argus reports US thermal coal producer B&W Resources plans to open a new mine in Kentucky in coming weeks.
- Argus reports the Western Coal Traffic League is trying to force the US Surface Transportation Board to act on a long-pending review of an index used to measure diesel fuel costs.
- The Washington Examiner reports the Global Energy Institute launched polling that found, among other things, that a majority of Americans prefer investments in new innovative energy technologies to mandates like those in the Green New Deal and that 79 percent of voters support President Trump’s executive order from Wednesday concerning states’ ability to oppose energy infrastructure.
- The Casper Star Tribune reports according to Moody’s Investor Service, the Powder River Basin’s coal production will continue to decline.
- The Augusta Free Press and Argus report bipartisan legislation to revitalize coal country by giving communities the funds they need to clean up abandoned mine lands, the RECLAIM Act, was introduced Tuesday.
Mining:
- Reuters reports Rio Tinto will join a World Bank initiative intended to help developing countries sustainably mine lithium, cobalt and other minerals critical to the global electrification trend.
- PoliticoPro reports two mining companies, Ur-Energy USA and Energy Fuels Resources, have contended that the imports are pushing U.S. uranium production to the brink of collapse, potentially creating a national security risk that would undermine the military.
EPA:
- InsideEPA reports state regulators say EPA’s proposed Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction rule will leave them with uncertain and potentially costly burdens to regulate water bodies that the rule would leave to state discretion, including dealing with losses in federal funding and duplicating federal programs that would be cut back under a narrow reading of the CWA.
White House:
- The Washington Examiner reports President Trump’s executive order restricting states’ rights is counter to previous policies allowing states to determine the curbing of greenhouse gases.
- The Washington Post reports President Trump’s executive orders concerning the Clean Water Act want to cut the states out in order to build more pipelines.
Department of the Interior:
- PoliticoPro, The Hill and the Washington Examiner report the Senate confirmed David Bernhardt to serve as Secretary of the Interior.