In the news today and from the weekend…
Coal:
- The Billings Gazette reports Montana’s congressional Republicans are backing a tax break on refined coal in hopes of sparking investment in Colstrip Power Plant.
- Wyoming Public Media reports Rocky Mountain Power is proposing to reduce capacity at the coal-fired Jim Bridger power plant in order to lower emissions.
- The Washington Post runs a negative article stating President Trump’s pro-coal agenda has overridden attempts to protect endangered species.
- The Casper Star Tribune, Fox News and Argus report Cloud Peak filed for bankruptcy on Friday.
- Argus reports new U.S. coal plants will be smaller, cleaner and more efficient, according to a DOE official, and will fill the gaps renewables cannot support.
- E&E Energywire reports the fight over the Washington coal export terminal heads to the 9th Circuit to challenge Washington state’s blockage of the project.
- WSAZ reports Consol Energy Inc. expects to open a metallurgical coal mine in southwestern West Virginia in 2021.
Minerals:
- E&E Daily reports the Senate will hold a hearing on two bills, the American Mineral Security Act and Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act, which focus on import reliance for critical minerals.
Supreme Court/EPA:
- E&E Greenwire and Inside EPA report the Maui County submitted a brief breaking down the language in their court case, County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, a case with sweeping implications for Clean Water Act permitting.
Energy Policy:
- E&E Daily reports two congressional panels this week will look at how best to deliver the next generation of clean energy, including legislation to bolster research into carbon capture and storage technology.
World News:
- CNN reports the UK went a full week, from May 1 to May 8, without burning coal, the first time since 1882 when the first coal-fired power plant started running.