In the news today…
Mining:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Minnesota Supreme Court declined to hear environmental groups’ challenge for additional review of the PolyMet copper-nickel mine.
Minerals:
- Mining.com reports lithium prices will remain low due to an onslaught of lithium supply, largely out of Australia.
Coal:
- E&E Greenwire reports a trio of Washington judges upheld the state’s decision to deny the lease of state-owned lands for the Millennium Bulk Terminal, which would have shipped Western coal to Asia.
- The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the number of coal jobs in Eastern Kentucky dropped significantly in the second quarter of 2019.
- InDepthNH reports climate activists took around 500 pounds of coal from the Merrimack Generating Station and dumped it in protest on the State House steps of New Hampshire.
- Utility Dive reports a New Mexico utility remains skeptical of the city of Farmington’s efforts to save a coal plant by installing carbon capture.
- The San Jose Mercury News reports California has five times more clean energy jobs than fossil fuel jobs.
- S&P Global and E&E Energywire report Vistra Energy will shut down four Illinois coal plants by the end of the year.
- Mining.com and Argus report Moody’s has lowered its 12-18 month outlook for North America’s coal industry to ‘negative’ from ‘stable’ amid declining profitability, weak export prices and diminishing demand from utilities.
- Mining.com reports BHP Group may consider selling off its thermal coal assets, according to an earnings call with CEO Andrew Mackenzie.
Electric Grid:
- Politico Pro reports the storage industry is downplaying its role with renewable energy sources to obtain tax breaks, stating the storage industry is there to support all forms of energy on the grid.
Department of the Interior:
- E&E Greenwire reports Joe Balash, assistant Interior secretary for land and minerals, will resign.
- E&E News PM reports environmental and animal welfare groups filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department over changes to how it would implement the Endangered Species Act.