In the news today…
Mining:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ mine lands and safety chief is joining OSMRE as a political appointee.
- The Washington Post reports President Trump has instructed Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to exempt Alaska’s 16.7-million-acre Tongass National Forest from logging restrictions, opening it to potential logging, energy and mining projects.
Coal:
- WHAS reports the Kentucky Senate is considering legislation to close the loophole which allowed Blackjewel to operate without a bond for workers in case of bankruptcy.
- The Casper Star Tribune reports Blackjewel called the sale of its two idling Wyoming coal mines “dead.”
- Argus reports coal-fired generation in the U.S. fell by 22.6 percent in June amid lower power demand and a greater preference for natural gas power.
- The Associated Press reports Montana environmental officials proposed approval of a major expansion of the state’s largest coal mine.
- The Charlotte Observer reports Santee Cooper plans to shut down one of its two remaining coal-fired power stations in the next decade and cut about 200 jobs.
NEPA:
- E&E Greenwire reports a Forest Service proposal to accelerate environmental reviews of forest management projects generated thousands of public comments.
Climate Policy:
- The Washington Examiner reports Sen. Bernie Sanders’ proposed plan to combat climate change centers on an aggressive transition away from fossil fuels such as coal, relying on federal power agencies to promote wind and solar.