In the news today…
Grid:
- Utility Dive reports that New York utility regulators and environmental advocates are urging federal regulators to pass a proposal that would have ratepayers cover the cost of transmission upgrades needed for clean energy development.
- E&E News reports that western utility officials say the proposed $8 billion Energy Gateway transmission network stretching from Wyoming to California is critical to decarbonizing the grid.
- Yahoo News reports from Reuters Texas’s power grid operator on Wednesday took emergency measures to avoid rolling blackouts as soaring electricity demand threatened to outpace available supplies amid a stifling heatwave.
Mining:
- E&E Daily reports the House Natural Resources Committee endorsed a proposal yesterday to shore up protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness by banning the mining of nickel, copper and other minerals on nearby public lands.
- Politico Pro reports a global shortfall of copper — the “metal of electrification” — will severely jeopardize the ability of the world to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to a report Thursday by S&P Global.
- Axios reports the race to deeply slash global carbon emissions will be hobbled without a surge in copper supply, but the ramp-up necessary faces big hurdles, a new report finds.
Carbon Capture:
- E&E Energywire reports the Energy Department yesterday rolled out a nearly $2.6 billion program to support carbon capture demonstration projects as the Biden administration strives to make progress on its target of a carbon-free power sector by 2035.
EPA:
- E&E Greenwire reports in the wake of the Supreme Court curbing its power to combat climate change, EPA will turn to a mix of career staff and political appointees — many with decades of experience in environmental law and policy — to draft coming regulations for fossil fuel-burning power plants.