In the news today…
Air Quality:
- The Chicago Tribune reports air quality in Chicago has not improved despite the pandemic.
- The Daily Sentinel reports Arch Resources is being sued over its emissions.
EPA:
- Inside EPA reports EPA has missed President Donald Trump’s executive order deadline to finalize controversial changes to its regulations governing how states ensure federally permitted activities protect state water quality standards.
Coal:
- Politico Pro and Courthouse News Service report a federal judge appeared skeptical of arguments on Wednesday that the Interior Department failed to comply with his order to conduct an environmental review before lifting the federal coal leasing moratorium.
- E&E Greenwire reports a coal company is a step closer to opening a new mine in Wyoming despite the resource’s financial woes in the state.
- Mining.com reports the energy transition away from coal in the U.S. can be a lesson looking forward.
Energy:
- Argus reports ERCOT expects record power demand this summer, potentially resulting in the need to declare energy emergency alerts.
Supreme Court:
- Inside EPA reports the Supreme Court’s consideration of hydrology in its recent decision finding Clean Water Act (CWA) permits may be necessary for discharges of pollutants that travel through groundwater could lead the court to reject the Trump administration’s definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS) for failing to reflect science.