In the news today…
Coal:
- Bloomberg and E&E Energywire report the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has asked to intervene on behalf of EPA in the case to defend the ACE rule.
- Politico Pro reports the Department of Labor asked a federal judge to halt coal shipments by Blackjewel until the miners’ wages have been paid.
- CNN reports the Richard and Leslie Gilliam Foundation donated over $1 million to assist Blackjewel miners and their families.
- In These Times carries an interview with a coal miner protesting in Harlan County in which they discuss the possibility of a ‘just transition’ for coal miners.
- WFIE reports 49 counties and 122 cities and towns across Kentucky will share $15 million in excess coal severance tax revenues.
- Argus reports an interview with Emily Medine, a principal at US consultancy Energy Ventures Analysis, in which she argues that regulated returns on new generation assets often lead to premature coal plant retirements and higher power prices for ratepayers.
Minerals:
- Utility Dive reports concern with the use of lithium-ion batteries for large scale storage, with a possible turn towards battery substitutes for a larger deployment of storage.
- Mining.com reports battery producers and electric automakers are concerned over the long-term supplies of nickel.
Mining:
- The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the court decision to uphold Minnesota’s nonferrous mining rule is a win for PolyMet.
- MPR News reports the Minnesota Court of Appeals has placed a stay on a key water quality permit for the PolyMet copper-nickel mine proposed in northeastern Minnesota.
- The Financial Times reports Glencore will halt production at the world’s largest cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo following falling prices in cobalt, a key battery metal.
- Mining.com reports the world’s biggest miners are backing different metals to chase the electric vehicle battery boom.
FERC:
- Politico Pro reports FERC Tuesday allowed short-term reforms to take effect in the New England electricity market that will assist power plants with on-site fuel supplies, such as coal.
- E&E Energywire reports updates to New England’s electricity market became effective because only two of the four members of FERC were able to vote on the matter.
Climate:
- E&E Climatewire reports Southeast Asia’s economic rise threatens global climate goals, largely due to coal use in the region.