In the news today…
Coal:
- Argus reports two coal friendly bills aimed at growing the Powder River basin market are advancing through the Wyoming legislature.
- Bloomberg reports U.S. coal consumption dropped 13 percent last year, with a similar drop expected in 2020.
Carbon Capture:
- WyoFile reports the Wyoming House passed a bill to subsidize carbon capture projects through Wyoming residents’ electrical bills.
- Argus reports speakers at the American Coal Council’s Spring Coal Forum said developing carbon capture technology could do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions than trying to limit the use of coal.
Solar:
- Energy News Network reports that utilities and developers are preparing to build thousands of megawatts of solar across Michigan, but most communities don’t have local policies to govern the land-use impacts, researchers find.
Climate:
- The Oregonian reports that Oregon Democrats abruptly adjourned the state legislature for the year, 11 days after Republicans walked out over a contentious cap-and-trade bill.
- WVTF reports the Virginia’s House barely passes the Clean Economy Act, an omnibus energy bill to get the state to zero carbon emissions by 2050.