In the news today…
Grid:
- Wisconsin State Journal reports a federal judge allows construction to proceed on a controversial transmission line between Iowa and Wisconsin while warning utilities supporting the project that it may not get permission to cross the Mississippi River as planned.
EPA:
- E&E Greenwire reports permitting reforms that Sen. Joe Manchin is pursuing in return for his approval of a burgeoning climate and energy deal on Capitol Hill could clash with and possibly stymie EPA’s ongoing efforts to finalize a new Clean Water Act rule.
Coal:
- Argus reports US thermal coal exports fell from year-earlier levels for the second straight month in June amid logistics constraints and flagging demand from some buyers in Asia, Mexico and Central America.
Carbon Capture:
- Axios reports the Senate’s climate deal could bring scale-up of carbon capture in heavy industries and power after years of limited momentum and false dawns.
Minerals:
- Bloomberg reports a prospective lithium supplier to Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. expects to clear an environmental hurdle involving a rare flower next year, paving the way for deliveries to electric-vehicle makers ahead of looming shortages of the battery metal.