Good Monday morning!
In the news today and from the weekend…
Grid:
- The Associated Press reports that the largest US public utility is switching from coal to gas, despite the proposed EPA carbon pollution limits. The Tennessee Valley Authority released plans Friday to build a new natural gas plant in Tennessee, largely dismissing renewable energy alternatives one day after the Biden administration proposed strict new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. TVA’s draft environmental impact statement says constructing a 1500-megawatt gas plant along with 3-4 megawatts of solar and 100 megawatts of battery storage is “the best overall solution to provide low-cost, reliable energy to the TVA power system.”
EPA:
- Energy Law360 (subscription) reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed new greenhouse gas emissions standards will force states and utilities to take a hard look at how long they can realistically keep their coal- and gas-fired power plants up and running, experts say.
Minerals:
- E&E Greenwire reports White House clean energy adviser John Podesta this week touted a cobalt mine in Idaho as just one example of a new domestic critical mineral project getting permits and coming online to support a booming electric vehicle industry.
- Associated Press reports federal authorities have proposed new regulations that would force the Minnesota and Michigan iron mining industry to slash its mercury emissions.
Permitting:
- E&E Daily reports the White House is preparing to meet with congressional leaders early this week on debt ceiling negotiations, but time is running short to hammer out a deal. One potential negotiating point is an overhaul of the nation’s permitting system, an effort that both parties have been eyeing the past several months.