In the news today and from the weekend…
Coal:
- E&E Energywire reports university coal plants have been closing over the past decade due to sustainability concerns.
- Washington Examiner reports Dan Brouillette said the innovations he witnessed at the Consol Energy Pennsylvania mining complex along the Washington County and Greene County lines were some of the most impressive technologies he’s seen in his career in the fossil fuel industry.
- Argus reports the Illinois Department of Natural Resources approved an application allowing White Stallion Energy subsidiary Vigo Coal to access an additional 1.5mn short tons (1.4mn metric tonnes) of coal at its Friendsville mine.
- The Salt Lake Tribune reports four coal-producing Utah counties are preparing to throw a $20 million lifeline to the bankrupt proponents of a deep-water export terminal in Oakland, California.
Minerals:
- E&E Daily reports that, on the Minnesota mining project, Democrats are seeking to force USDA to publicly release environmental assessments, mineral resource reports and other documents, and to make released documents available on the USDA website for 10 years.
- E&E Daily reports nearly 80 conservation and environmental justice organizations asked congressional appropriators last week to deny the Trump administration’s proposal to stockpile domestically mined uranium.
Technology:
- E&E Greenwire reports a team of geologists this week unveiled maps that could signal the locations of previously unknown deposits of metals essential to renewable energy technologies.
World News:
- The Japan Times reports Japan will close the majority of its aging coal-fired power plants over the next decade as it looks to cut down on carbon emissions and shift toward using more renewable energy.
- The Wall Street Journal reports economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has cast doubt on whether China can meet its targets to buy U.S. goods under this year’s trade deal—with energy emerging as the biggest casualty.