Happy Friday!
In the news today…
Grid:
- Utility Dive reports that Federal regulators rejected a complaint by an Iowa coalition of large energy users and consumer advocates that sought lower rates for building out transmission.
Coal:
- E&E Greenwire reports more than 90 percent of the coal-fired power plants that EPA regulates are home to ash dumps that are actively contaminating groundwater, with the majority violating federal law, according to a new analysis of utility-reported data.
- Argus reports US thermal coal exports slipped from year-earlier levels in September despite still relatively robust demand from Europe.
- Bloomberg reports last November in Glasgow, the world’s climate leaders were locked in a fierce debate over whether the final draft of the summit’s agreement should include a pledge to “phase-out” or “phase-down” coal. Since then, the more appropriate term would probably be “phase-up.”
Mining:
- Mining.com reports Lithium Americas plans to separate its North American and Argentine businesses into two independent public companies by the end of the year, it said on Thursday.
- Inside EPA reports House Democrats are urging EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to bolster scrutiny of Clean Water Act (CWA) dredge-and-fill permit applications, measures that could complicate any new push to overhaul federal permitting either in the upcoming lame-duck session or in the new Congress when Republicans are expected to control at least one chamber.
Minerals:
- Washington Post carries an editorial which there are benefits to letting China process lithium.
- E&E Energywire reports experts are ever more worried that automakers’ big plans to make millions of electric vehicles — and slow the pace of climate change — could stumble because miners and refiners simply won’t be able to satisfy their hunger for critical minerals.
World News:
- E&E Energywire reports one of Europe’s greenest utilities, Ørsted A/S, is set to make more money this year thanks in part to burning more coal as Europe turns to the fuel to provide energy security.
Media Alert:
- Thanks to MSN.com for carrying my new op-ed on why the U.S. must recognize the essential utility of its remaining coal fleet as a reliability and affordability backstop.