In the news today…
Minerals:
- Reuters reports a bipartisan group of senators is arguing that more needs to be done to support domestic production of minerals used to make electric vehicles.
Mining:
- Mining.com reports Newmont Goldcorp Corp. is ready to sit tight on asset sales, even if that means not reaching a previously announced goal of as much as $1.5 billion in divestments.
- Mining.com reports Barrick Gold reported a new discovery hole about 2 kilometers from the best drilling intercept at its Fourmile project in Nevada.
Coal:
- The Casper Star-Tribune reports production of coal is dropping off faster than previously expected due to low demand and market uncertainties, according to a new report.
- Argus reports DOE is planning on co-funding basic engineering studies for retrofitting five coal with CCUS technology.
- Argus and E&E Energywire report Duke Energy is joining the transition away from fossil fuels, saying it will be carbon neutral by the midcentury mark.
- Argus reports TransAlta plans to have no more coal-fired power plants by the end of 2025, including its Centralia plant in Washington state.
- S&P Global reports MISO said Tuesday it is aiming to cut coal-fired generation to 29% by 2030 and anticipates a rise in solar and wind power generation.
EPA:
- Inside EPA reports a federal appeals court has issued a mandate enforcing its July ruling rejecting environmentalists’ attempt to force EPA to set first-time Superfund financial assurance rules for the hard rock mining industry.
- Inside EPA and The Progress-Index report a coalition of 20 states led by West Virginia is asking to intervene in support of EPA in litigation over the agency’s ACE rule.
- Politico Pro reports EPA is trying to speed up the litigation of the ACE rule, which according to critics could secure a judicial ruling before the end of Trump’s first term.
- Argus and E&E Climatewire report Tuesday a US federal appeals court dismissed litigation against the Clean Power Plan, a case which had been rendered moot by the CPP’s repeal and replacement.
- Inside EPA reports several Western states are questioning whether EPA has legal authority to propose changes to the Clean Water Act section 401 water quality certification process.
Congress:
- E&E Daily reports Democrats led by Rep. Raul Grijalva and Sen. Tom Udall introduced legislation that would repeal Trump administration changes to the Endangered Species Act.
- E&E Daily reports the legislation introduced last week by Democrat Rep. Matt Cartwright and Republican Rep. Glenn Thompson to push back the expiration date for the Abandoned Mine Land fee has found some bipartisan support.
- E&E Daily reports Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski is using oil as an example for why the American Mineral Security Act is crucial.