In the news today…
Grid:
- Bloomberg NEF reports a new report says global grid capacity will need to more than double to accommodate clean energy needed to avert the worst impacts of climate change.
- Columbia Missourian reports the University of Missouri begins a roughly $40 million plan to connect to the surrounding city’s electric grid to ensure reliability as the school’s power demand grows.
- WTAD reports that Illinois regulators approved construction plans for the multi-state Grain Belt Express clean energy transmission project.
Mining:
- Deseret News reports on the rising demand for minerals and the importance of mining in Utah.
Coal:
- The Washington Post reports the Biden administration moved Wednesday to strengthen a rule limiting millions of gallons of toxic water pollution from coal power plants, a change that could lead some plants to shut down or switch to burning natural gas, rather than pay increased compliance costs.
- ABC News reports from Associated Press the Biden administration on Wednesday proposed tighter limits on wastewater pollution from coal-burning power plants that has contaminated streams, lakes and underground aquifers across the nation.
- E&E Greenwire reports coal-fired power plants are facing another crackdown as the Biden administration moves forward with plans to limit toxic discharges into lakes and rivers in a major strike at one of the largest sources of industrial water pollution.
Minerals:
- E&E Greenwire reports a landmark climate law meant to spur adoption of electric vehicles could actually slow that transition, given potentially “unreachable” goals for sourcing battery minerals tied to tax credits of up to $7,500, according to new research.
- E&E Greenwire reports copper producers unveiled a plan Wednesday to slash emissions and reach “net zero” by 2050 in the face of rapidly increasing demand to use the material in electric vehicle batteries, transmission projects and renewable energy technology.