In the news today and from the 3-day weekend…
[Update] FERC:
- E&E News reports that Matthew Christiansen, general counsel at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Rick Kessler, a senior Democratic adviser for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, are both under consideration to fill the vacant position on the commission, according to several people familiar with the process. The White House recently appointed Willie Phillips (D) to lead the agency as acting chair, as the five-member commission remains split with two Democrats, including Phillips, and two Republicans on the panel.
Minerals:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Biden administration on Friday offered its first loan commitment for a lithium processing plant, backing a facility in southwest Nevada that would provide the highly sought mineral needed for EV batteries but that some environmentalists contend will further threaten an endangered flower.
- Politico Pro reports the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office has conditionally agreed to provide millions to a proposed critical minerals mine in Nevada that has drawn environmental concerns over its proximity to an endangered wildflower.
- Axios reports the Energy Department plans to lend Ioneer up to $700 million to support the planned Rhyolite Ridge project to mine lithium, sending its shares soaring.
World News:
- Axios reports Sweden’s state-owned mining company, LKAB, says it has discovered more than 1 million tons of rare earth metals in Lapland, in the country’s far north — the largest known such deposit in Europe.