In the news today…
EPA:
- E&E Greenwire and Politico Pro report investigators found no evidence that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt pushed NMA to weigh in against the Paris Agreement, although testimony from witnesses was conflicting.
- Politico Pro reports EPA said it has “concerns” about the Pebble Mine’s environmental impacts and criticized the Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental review as lacking critical information about the planned Alaskan copper and gold mine.
- Inside EPA reports EPA is proposing to decline financial responsibility requirements for the electric power generator sector under the Superfund law, saying the existing regulation of coal combustion residuals (CCR), the financial stability of the sector and other factors suggest a low level of risk that does not warrant a mandatory federal regulatory requirement.
- The Knoxville News Sentinel (TN) carries an op-ed from Chuck Laine in which he argues EPA’s ACE rule will help reduce emissions and hold down energy costs.
Minerals:
- US News reports tribal nations and environmental groups are afraid of a possible reversal of a ban on uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.
Coal:
- The Hill reports 700 workers will be sent home when two Wyoming coal mines close due to bankruptcy.
- E&E Climatewire reports the Powder River Basin has seen extreme lows, despite it supplying 40 percent of the nation’s coal today.
- E&E Energywire reports New Mexico’s biggest utility wants to replace its stake in two coal-fired power plants with natural gas fueled plants.
Carbon Capture:
- Wyoming Public Media and the Casper Star-Tribune report an international competition for carbon capture technology has pushed back its final deadline several months to June 2020.