In the news today…
Mining:
- Argus reports leaders of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources have come to an agreement on extending abandoned mine land fees charged to producers, potentially clearing the way for collections to last beyond the end of the fiscal year.
- Montana Standard carries an op-ed which states that about 1,600 members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 11-0001 at Sibanye-Stillwater take great pride in responsibly mining the metals needed for clean energy generation, electronic components, building construction and many other industries, and they support the American Jobs Plan.
Coal:
- WCPO reports the William H. Zimmer Power Station in Moscow, Ohio, will close earlier than expected next May because it’s unable to sell electricity at a high enough rate to make a profit, owner Vistra Corp. announced Monday.
- The Daily Yonder reports funded by a $1.2 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, a consortium of researchers will determine if critical minerals can be extracted from the waste byproducts of Appalachian coal mining.
Carbon Capture:
- Inside Climate News reports the bipartisan infrastructure bill may include billions in support for carbon capture. Progressive groups are not happy about it.
Minerals:
- Electrek reports clean energy may mean less mining for coal, but it also means more mining for minerals such as cobalt for use in alloys and batteries, tellurium for solar cells and semiconductors, and germanium for transistors in electronic devices.
- Politico Pro reports a Minnesota court dealt another blow to the developers of a proposed copper-nickel project, this time involving the open-pit mine’s air permit.
- WSOC reports Piedmont Lithium, which wants to mine lithium in northern Gaston County, presented its plan to county commissioners on Tuesday night.
World News:
- Reuters reports climate change talks this year aimed at keeping global warming in check need to consign coal power to history, the British president of the upcoming United Nations’ conference said on Wednesday.
- Axios reports environment ministers from the G20 face a stark reality as they gather this week in Italy: Coal is proving quite resilient despite steep declines in some economies, Ben writes.