In the news today…
Congress:
- E&E News reports that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced legislation aimed at blocking the Treasury Department from handing out electric vehicle subsidies for cars that do not meet the Inflation Reduction Act’s strict domestic battery sourcing requirements. Manchin’s bill would also force those who received the tax credit this year to return the money if they cannot show compliance with the law’s battery requirements, according to a Democratic committee aide who spoke anonymously.
Coal:
- Argus reports coal exports out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, inched above year-earlier levels for the first time in three months in December.
- E&E Energywire reports the electric utility in San Antonio voted this week to phase out its last coal plant by 2028, though critics say a plan to keep the site partially online with natural gas falls short of climate goals for Texas’ second-largest city.
- Cowboy State Daily reports Wyoming coal mines saw an uptick in production last year, but about 50 million tons of production didn’t happen because of a lack of rail service to get the coal from the mines in Wyoming to power plants across the country.
Minerals:
- E&E Daily reports House Republicans are planning to investigate the Biden administration’s strategy aimed at loosening foreign control of supply chains for electric vehicles and other renewable energy technology.
- E&E Daily reports Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin took another swipe at the Biden administration Wednesday, releasing legislation that would stop the Treasury Department from issuing subsidies for consumer electric vehicles that don’t comply with strict sourcing requirements for batteries and battery minerals.