In the news today…
Mining:
- National Journal reports the Biden administration is laying the groundwork for more domestic production of lithium and other metals that are pivotal to the emerging clean-energy economy.
- Charleston Gazette-Mail reports moments after West Virginia lawmakers received copies of an audit report warning that state mine cleanup funds are nearing insolvency, the Senate president sought to put the problem on someone else’s table.
- Metro News reports West Virginia lawmakers are aiming to draw down millions of federal dollars to help assuage the increasing possibility that mine reclamation costs could spiral out of control and swamp the state budget.
Coal:
- E&E Greenwire reports coal plant operators are moving to take advantage of a Trump administration rule that critics say allows continued dumping of toxic wastewater into local lakes and rivers.
- Utility Dive reports Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., offered a spirited defense of the nation’s coal-fired power plants Thursday at Edison Electric Institute’s 2021 conference.
Minerals:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Fish and Wildlife Service today announced Endangered Species Act protections for the beardless chinchweed, an Arizona plant potentially put at risk by the proposed Rosemont Copper mine.
- Politico Pro reports executives from a group of U.S. renewable energy companies urged Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Congress on Monday to help shore up the domestic lithium battery manufacturing supply chain so the U.S. does not lose out to China in the push to build a clean energy industry.
World News:
- Politico reports days of negotiations at the G7 leaders summit in Cornwall failed to set an end-date for coal after the U.S. and Japan blocked a deal.