In the news today…
Coal:
- Crain’s Cleveland Business reports the demand for coal is dropping due to market forces, not the government.
- The Flathead Beacon, Tech Know Bits, the Mayfield Recorder, Power Engineering and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch carry a previously run article stating demand for coal is losing ground to renewables and natural gas.
- The Dayton Daily News reports nearly 100,000 coal miners are at risk of losing their pensions and are petitioning lawmakers to vote on bills to save their pensions.
- The Casper Star Tribune carries a column arguing for support for coal miners’ pensions in the wake of mine company bankruptcies and coal mine closures.
- CBS News reports climate activist Bill McKibben advocates abandoning coal as soon as possible and moving straight to renewable energy.
- Vox reports that the world’s richest institutions, such as Harvard, invest in fossil fuels, and activists want to change that.
- CBS News reports many coal miners are switching over to jobs in renewable energy, such as wind generated power, as coal mining employment prospects decrease.
- The Cap Times carries an op-ed by Don Wichert in which he states that Madison Gas & Electric’s portfolio remains dominated by coal, despite investments into renewable energies.
Minerals:
- PoliticoPro reports the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will consider two bills today aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on foreign minerals. The hearing begins at 10 AM.
- PoliticoPro reports Sen. Murkowski will “take a look at” the hardrock mining reform bill, but was not optimistic about the legislation.