In the news today…
EPA:
- NPR, WBUR and EcoWatch report the Trump administration has finalized a rule concerning section 401 water permitting which will restrict states’ veto power over infrastructure projects.
- The Washington Examiner reports the Trump administration is revising water quality regulations that give states veto power over energy infrastructure.
- The Washington Post, Politico Pro, Inside EPA, E&E Greenwire, Mining.com and E&E News PM report the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule Monday curtailing the rights of states, tribes and the public to object to federal permits for energy projects and other activities that could pollute waterways across the country.
- E&E Daily reports the finalized EPA rule on section 401 water permitting will likely face legal challenges.
Minerals:
- The Hill reports an Energy Department official said Friday that the government is aiming to start buying mined uranium for a proposed uranium reserve “as soon as possible” as the Trump administration looks to increase its production of nuclear energy.
Coal:
- Mining.com reports earnings for North American coal miners may plunge by more than half this year as the coronavirus pandemic makes a weak market even worse, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
Renewables:
- Real Clear Energy carries an op-ed by Robert Bryce who reports that in New York and New England, siting wind energy projects is like siting land fills–nobody wants them.