In the news today…
Coal:
- E&E Energywire reports the ruling by Judge Brian Morris ordering the Interior Department to make an environmental analysis before lifting a coal leasing moratorium puts the Trump administration’s attempts to bolster coal in jeopardy.
- Mountain West News Bureau reports Trump’s energy agenda faces a setback in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling on coal leasing.
- The Billings Gazette reports the Colstrip power plant faces an uncertain future as Washington state edges closer to banning coal by 2025.
- Utility Dive reports Nevada passed a bill that would require the state to generate 50 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2030 and 100 percent of its energy carbon-free by 2050.
- E&E Greenwire reports Scott Pruitt has joined RailPoint Solutions LLC, which appeared to be tied to Sunrise Coal LLC, in a bid to stop the closure of coal plants in Indiana.
- Reuters reports the Indiana Chamber of Commerce on Monday rejected a plea from former EPA chief Scott Pruitt to back legislation that would keep aging coal-fired power plants online because it would raise electricity rates for local businesses and homeowners.
- Bridge Magazine carries an interview with CEO Gerry Anderson, who discusses DTE Energy’s transition from coal to natural gas and renewables.
- The Eastern New Mexico News carries an op-ed by Jim Constantopolous, a geology professor at Eastern New Mexico University, in which he argues that out-of-market subsidies and mandates for wind and solar power are upending electricity markets and jeopardizing baseload, coal generation, the foundation of the grid.
Climate:
- Energy News Network reports even if Gov. Ralph Northam vetoes the bill that would halt Virginia’s link to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the General Assembly would still have power over the program through the power of the purse.
- KIRO Seattle reports Washington State has passed a 100 percent clean energy bill, which now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk; the bill would eliminate coal power by 2025 and transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2045.
EPA:
- E&E News PM reports Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) is urging EPA to halt its efforts to undo mercury emissions regulations for the power sector, adding a Republican voice to a chorus of opposition to the proposal.
- InsideEPA reports a selection from comments submitted to EPA on its proposal to eliminate the legal underpinning of MATS for power plants.
- PoliticoPro reports Rep. Francis Rooney wrote a letter to EPA urging it to keep the MATS rule in place due to risk to health benefits.
- InsideEPA reports industry and local government groups are bringing forward lawsuits to preserve or expand the current bar on EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers implementing their 215 CWA jurisdiction rule in certain states, pushing back from new Democratic governors who have withdrawn from similar suits.
World News:
- E&E Climatewire reports China’s move to boost coal won’t result in many new power plants because of greater profitability in the renewable energy sector.