In the news today…
Coal:
- Wyoming Public Media reports President Trump’s push for more energy development on federal lands suffered a setback last week when a federal judge ruled that his administration didn’t look at environmental impacts before lifting an Obama-era freeze on new coal leases.
- The Casper Star Tribune reports the ruling that the Trump administration illegally lifted the moratorium on coal leasing leaves open what will happen next with the coal program review.
- Phys.org reports the shift from coal to gas is better for the environment, citing a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
- Argus reports the first quarter production in Powder River basin fell by 12.9 percent, led by declines at properties with higher heat-content coal.
- PoliticoPro reports sixteen environmental groups argue that the president’s executive orders which change states’ authority under the Clean Water Act can only be changed by Congress.
- Associated Press reports Former EPA chief Scott Pruitt has likely failed in his efforts to block the closure of several coal-fired plants in Indiana.
- S&P Global reports coal producer Ramaco has won an important legal victory in Wyoming after a Wyoming District Court judge ruled that the company’s proposed Brook Mining mine be allowed to extract coal beneath surface land near Sheridan.
Minerals:
- Reuters reports German carmaker BMW will buy cobalt, a key component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, directly from mines in Australia and Morocco to ensure they are not produced by child labor, an executive said on Tuesday.
- E&E Energywire reports uranium companies and electric utilities are in a lobbying face off over a proposal to protect American uranium miners by mandating trade quotas.
EPA:
- E&E Greenwire reports the clarification on the scope of the Clean Water Act relating to groundwater dispersions may cause more confusion in the short term, and will likely remain so until the Supreme Court gives a ruling.
Energy:
- Argus reports Nevada doubled its renewable energy mandate as Gov. Steve Sisolak signed into law SB 358.
Climate:
- InsideEPA reports Virginia air regulators have finalized a regulation that imposes a declining cap on carbon emissions from state utilities and is intended to allow trading with RGGI cap-and-trade programs; Gov. Ralph Northam has until May 3 to issue any veto.
- Vox reports the US bears the most responsibility for carbon emissions, having the largest cumulative CO2 emissions since 1750.