In the news today…

Electric Grid:

• Utility Dive reports that a heat wave across parts of Texas forced the state’s grid operator (ERCOT) to call an emergency on Tuesday and sent electricity prices soaring past $9,000/MWh. ERCOT officials had forecast a tight supply-demand balance heading into the summer, and in March said there was a growing chance it would need to utilize emergency alerts during times of high demand. NRG CEO Mauricio Gutierrez had argued those forecasts were too optimistic.

Coal:

• San Antonio Express-News reports San Antonio’s Southwest Research Institute landed a $3 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to design a cutting-edge coal power plant that would emit almost no carbon dioxide.
• The Torrington Telegram reports the Department of Energy is set to review Wyoming’s clean coal research efforts later this month, including a carbon capture project.
• The Economist reports Wyoming’s coal industry has a grim outlook and the residents echo it.
• Argus reports opponents of a new Ohio law providing subsidies for nuclear and coal power plants had their referendum rejected but still hope to get the measure on the November 2020 ballot.
• E&E Energywire and Bloomberg report Texas saw massive spikes in prices as the electric grid struggled under a heat wave; thousands of megawatts of coal-fired generation have been taken offline and could not be brought in to shoulder the load.
• The Associated Press reports heavy metals from coal ash have seeped into groundwater at a Duke Energy complex in Florida.

ACE Rule:

• Politico Pro, The New York Times, The Hill and E&E Greenwire report 22 states and seven cities sued the Trump administration over the implementation of the ACE rule, which overrides the Clean Power Plan.

Minerals:

• S&P Global reports there are numerous developers trying to make alternatives to the lithium-ion battery.
• E&E News PM reports a nonprofit start-up aims to restore streams along the Alaska-Yukon border through renewed mining.
• Mining.com reports the Electric Vehicle sector will need 250 percent more copper by 2030 just for charging stations.
• Mining.com reports Anglo American Platinum Ltd. wants to develop a lithium battery using platinum-group metals for use in electric vehicles.

Supreme Court:

• E&E Greenwire reports lawyers from Maui County are arguing that a narrow reading of the Clean Water Act is what Congress intended.

Climate:

• E&E Energywire reports a new battery that works from mixing fresh and salty water could offer emissions-free power to coastal wastewater treatment plants.
• E&E Climatewire reports India, a leading emitter, is now considering a plan to cut coal imports by a third.

In the news today…

Endangered Species Act:

• The Nevada Independent reports the Trump administration has revised the regulations on how to implement the Endangered Species Act.
• E&E Greenwire and Politico Pro report the Trump administration has announced changes to the Endangered Species Act to limit the law’s reach and states that environmentalists will challenge the changes.
• E&E News PM reports Democrats may use an obscure law to fight the Trump administration’s revisions to the Endangered Species Act.
• E&E News PM reports blues states and environmental groups plan to fight the Trump administration’s new Endangered Species Act regulations in court.

Coal:

• Yellowhammer and the Daily Mountain Eagle report Alabama Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed stated that the coal industry is making a comeback in the state.
• Argus reports EPA is clamping down on Democratic-led states efforts to block pipeline projects and coal export terminals.
• Time reports the protests by Blackjewel workers over unpaid wages now enters its third week.

Mining:

• CNN reports the EPA told staff scientists that it was no longer opposing the Pebble mining project just one day after President Trump met with Alaska’s governor.
• E&E Greenwire reports the Forest Service released the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Resolution Copper project in Arizona.

Mining Law:

• The Albuquerque Journal carries a negative op-ed opposed to the proposed mine of Comexico LLC in New Mexico and arguing in favor of changing the Mining Law of 1872.
• The Arizona Daily Star reports the legal ruling for the proposed Rosemont mine will have national ramifications, increasing permitting delays for new mines.

In the news today and from the weekend…

EPA:

• Inside EPA reports the US Chamber of Commerce, National Mining Association, and America’s Power are asking to intervene on EPA’s behalf to defend the ACE rule.
• Politico Pro, E&E Greenwire and Inside EPA report EPA has released its proposed rule aimed at limiting states’ ability to block infrastructure projects using authority under the CWA.

Coal:

• Wyoming Public Media reports Contura Energy may plan to keep the mines it bought back from Blackjewel open for up to only 12 months in order to lower reclamation costs.
• The Casper Star Tribune reports the Blackjewel mines have yet to reopen despite sale approval from a federal judge.
• Bloomberg reports the Trump administration is using a “hot goods” tactic to support protesting miners; the tactic seeks to freeze the movement of goods produced by workers who were shorted on pay.
• Argus reports unpaid royalties owed to the federal government may be an impediment to the sale of Blackjewel’s western assets to Contura.
• E&E Greenwire reports the Wyoming coal industry is on shaky ground, with Blackjewel only serving as a sign of greater issues in the industry.
• The Hawaii Business Magazine carries an article which explores Hawaii’s lingering coal use and questions whether efforts to phase coal out can be successful without reliability concerns.
• Bloomberg reports a Pennsylvania power plant that was the center of President Trump’s effort to revive the coal industry will be closing 19 months ahead of schedule.
• Argus and E&E Energywire report FirstEnergy Solutions will shut its 830MW coal-fired Bruce Mansfield power plan two years ahead of schedule.
• Argus reports Alliance Resource Partners will shut down its Dotiki coal mine in Kentucky on August 16 due to lackluster demand.
• The Associated Press reports the mining region of northeast Washington state is struggling as the region’s biggest employers shut down.
• The Guardian reports the coal industry is in decline and is not going to bounce back, and many are turning to the Green New Deal for answers.
• The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Cambrian Coal LLC plans to sell off its assets in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.

Mining:

• Inside EPA reports a Minnesota appeals court has stayed a CWA discharge permit for a PolyMet mine near Lake Superior while a state trial court determines whether it was unusual for state regulators to keep out of the public record EPA’s critical comments about the permit.
• E&E News PM reports an American Indian tribe in Idaho has sued a Canadian mining company proposing a new gold mine at a site with historical water pollution problems.
• The Wall Street Journal carries an op-ed which argues that ‘renewable’ energy sources require nonrenewable sources such as metals and minerals that make them less economically viable than fossil fuel choices.

Energy Policy:

• E&E Energywire and Bloomberg report FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee is hosting a conference for energy industry players on “significant issues we are all confronting at this transformative period in our energy and policy landscape”.

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.

In the news today…

Minerals:

• The Deseret News (UT) carries an op-ed from Gary Sandquist, a professor emeritus at the University of Utah, in which he argues that eroding U.S. uranium production is the latest sign that action is needed to boost use mineral production and address the nation’s alarming mineral import reliance.
• The Wall Street Journal reports Freeport-McMoRan’s CEO Richard Adkerson has taken on the challenge of the world’s largest sources of new copper and gold.
• The Marshall Independent carries an editorial which argues that increasing prices for copper are driving a revival of mining in Minnesota that will be dangerous to the environment.
• The Daily Signal carries an op-ed which argues that the decision to withdraw the preemptive veto of the Pebble Mine project is a win for the regulatory process.
• CBS3 Duluth reports the Minnesota Court of Appeals has rejected a challenge to the state’s nonferrous mining rules, in favor of PolyMet’s position.

Coal:

• The Journal reports residents are voicing environmental concern over the proposed expansion of the King II coal mine in Colorado.
• The Billings Gazette reports Colstrip Power Plant is still struggling to find cheap coal and retain employees; two of its four units will shut down this year.
• The Great Falls Tribune reports Montana may become a power importing state with the closure of Colstrip Power Plant.
• E&E Greenwire reports federal attorneys have demanded that Blackjewel pay its miners before a bankruptcy judge rules on the sale of the coal company’s mines.
• The Casper Star Tribune reports a federal judge did not render a final decision Monday on the sale of Blackjewel coal mines; the hearing reconvenes at 7 A.M. Mountain Time today.
• The Hill carries an op-ed which argues that former Vice President Joe Biden’s plan to eliminate fossil fuels is bad for our national security and economy.

EPA:

• Inside EPA reports the EPA is making several arguments against criticism on the ACE rule, including Obama-era legal interpretations that the agency has threshold power to regulate greenhouse gases.

WOTUS:

• The Hill reports two senators are pushing a bill to cement changes to the WOTUS rule, which could make the changes from the Obama-era WOTUS rule permanent.

FERC:

• Politico Pro reports FERC is at risk of politicization and could become a supporter of coal power plants through bailouts under current leadership.

World News:

• The Washington Examiner reports fossil fuels will continue to provide the majority of the world’s energy in 2040 according to projections released by Wood Mackenzie.
• Reuters reports Vietnam is considering importing coal from the U.S. to meet rising demand for the fuel for power generation.
• Reuters reports approvals for new coal mines in China have surged with consumption of coal expected to rise in the coming years.

In the news today and from the weekend…

Coal:

• Utility Dive carries an op-ed which argues that closing power plants, including coal power plants, can be more costly and riskier than opening them.
• The Washington Examiner reports the Joe Biden campaign has clarified Biden’s stance on fossil fuels; he will eliminate subsidies and deploy carbon capture and sequestration technology.
• E&E Greenwire reports miners who are protesting on the train tracks in Harlan County are criticizing Senator Mitch McConnell, saying he’s not pro-coal.
• CNN reports protesting miners in Harlan County call on President Trump to support their fight for payment.
• The Associated Press reports Contura Energy has successfully bid on the assets of three Blackjewel coal mines, subject to approval by a federal bankruptcy judge.
• Bloomberg reports Trump officials are still pushing to bail-out coal-fired power plants.

EPA:

• Inside EPA reports the EPA General Counsel is strongly defending the agency’s “bold” legal interpretation of its ACE rule.
• E&E Climatewire reports EPA’s ACE rule will be lambasted as a public health issue in court by environmental groups.
• E&E News PM reports the Trump administration will not craft a formal rule reinterpreting the scope of the Clean Water Act until after the Supreme Court weighs in on the issue in County of Maui v. Hawai’I Wildlife Fund.

Carbon Capture:

• NM Political Report reports Enchant Energy, the company that plans to turn the San Juan Generating Station into the world’s largest carbon capture system, addressed criticisms and proposed that carbon capture offers the cost-effective, low-emission solution to keep the coal-fired power plant open.

Carbon Pricing:

• E&E Energywire reports New York’s grid operator is preparing to ask the FERC to approve a carbon pricing plan.

Renewables:

• Powerline carries a post by John Hinderaker, in which he reports that wind energy is collapsing in Germany.

In the news today…

Coal:

• The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Blackjewel did not post a bond to cover the cost of paying its workers, as required by state law.
• WYMT reports former CEO of Blackjewel Jeff Hoops posted a letter to employees apologizing and explaining his side of the story for Blackjewel’s bankruptcy and promised half the money recovered would be distributed equally to employees harmed by the collapse of the company.
• Axios and the Washington Examiner report former Vice President Joe Biden suggested he would eliminate coal and natural gas in the debate, but his climate plan actually calls for use of carbon capture.
• The Casper Star Tribune reports Cloud Peak has requested to delay the auction and sales hearing of two Wyoming coal mines.
• E&E News PM reports the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association moved to intervene in litigation over the ACE rule.
• Mining.com reports Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sided with coal miners in Kentucky who are protesting due to lack of pay from Blackjewel.
• The Lexington Herald-Leader reports numerous politicians, including Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath, are supporting out-of-work Harlan County coal miners in their protests.
• Politico Pro, The Hill and Argus report EPA proposed changes to the New Source Review that would make it clear that power plant operators must use both projected emissions increases and decreases in the first step of determining whether planned major modifications will need a new permit.
• E&E Energywire reports the coal mining industry is challenging utilities to try and convince them that coal is a more reliable, cheaper option than renewables in order to keep coal units from closing.
• E&E Energywire reports a federal judge said he would not toss the Trump administration’s decision to restart federal coal leasing until BLM has a chance to complete its environmental review.
• S&P Global reports Arch Coal signed a three-year deal to supply at least 1.35 million st of Powder River Basin coal to Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities’ Trimble County Generation Station along the Ohio River.
• Kentucky Today reports Kentucky’s third coal mining fatality of the year occurred at the Paradise Mine in Central City.

Carbon Capture:

• The Farmington Daily Times reports PNM decided not to install carbon capture technology on the San Juan Generating Station because it was expensive and unproven, even though the city is trying to extend the life of the power plant through carbon capture.

World News:

• Axios reports solar costs have plummeted in South Asia and the Pacific, but coal is still king in the region.

In the news today…

Energy Prices:

• The Lansdale Reporter (PA), the Colorado Springs Gazette (CO) and the Delaware County Times (PA) carry an op-ed from Matthew Kandrach, president of Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE), who argues that California’s mandates for renewable energy are driving up electricity prices.

Coal:

• The Gillette News Record reports disruptions in the energy sector in Wyoming could affect the growth of state tax revenues.
• The Associated Press reports a federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit aimed at shutting down a coal-fired power plant and adjacent mine near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
• S&P Global reports U.S. electric utilities will boost capital spending as the industry continues to shift away from coal and toward natural gas and renewable energy.
• Energy News Network reports PJM is proposing to open its long-range capacity market to energy storage projects, but only to batteries which can store power for 10 or more hours, which the industry says will weaken battery competition against peak fossil fuel plants.
• Argus reports Peabody Energy coal sales fell by 8.6 percent in the second quarter.
• E&E Energywire reports top attorneys for California and New Mexico have asked to get involved in a new lawsuit from industry groups to scrap the 2017 Valuation Rule.
• E&E Energywire reports West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has approved a tax break for a struggling coal-fired power plant.
• The Washington Post reports an auction is scheduled for today, Thursday, for the assets of bankrupt coal operator Blackjewel LLC.

EPA:

• E&E News PM reports former EPA staffer and coal advocate Christian Palich has been hired to the Interior Department as senior adviser at OSMRE.
• Inside EPA reports Democratic attorneys general are urging EPA to withdraw controversial guidance on how states can place water quality conditions on federally approved permits.

Election 2020:

• The Washington Post reports some Democratic presidential candidates are still accepting donations from fossil fuel sources even after pledging not to.

World News:

• Carbon Brief reports CO2 emissions in China may peak up to a decade earlier than the nation pledged under the Paris Agreement, according to a new study.

In the news today and from the weekend…

Coal:

• The Farmington Daily Times reports a community advisory group will develop a plan for investing funds to help the transition from coal to other energy sources that were made available through the Energy Transition Act.
• E&E Energywire reports county commissioners in northwestern New Mexico and a water utility that serves the state’s largest metro area want to intervene in a regulatory case over the upcoming closure of the San Juan Generating Station.
• The Washington Examiner reports coal plants are continuing to retire at a rapid pace, according to the Energy Information Administration.
• EIA reports more U.S. coal-fired power plants are decommissioning as retirements continue.
• E&E Energywire reports the new Ohio law which subsidizes nuclear and power plants had backing from Republicans tied to the White House and the coal industry, despite being advertised as a bill to support zero-carbon energy.
• E&E Energywire reports environmental advocates are rallying behind an Obama-era rule for calculating oil, gas and coal royalty payments as the measure faces renewed legal challenges.
• GOOD Magazine reports coal miners criticize Sen. Mitch McConnell over his two minute meeting with miners who traveled to the Capitol to discuss black lung issues.

Emissions:

• E&E Energywire reports New Jersey power company Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. declared a “vision” of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, if public policy and technology advance.
• CNN Business reports PSEG is pledging to slash carbon emissions by 80% by 2046, compared with 2005 levels, and plans to get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Minerals:

• Greentech Media reports investments in mining to support key materials for batteries could come too late to meet rising demand.
• The Wall Street Journal reports former Idaho Governor C.L. Butch Otter is challenging Jervois’s acquisition of an Idaho cobalt mine as he wants an investigation into possible hidden Chinese links.
• E&E Greenwire reports Pebble mine investors received a heads-up on an EPA memo scrapping the Bristol Bay veto.

Energy:

• The Navajo Times reports the Navajo Nation still has no plan for the transition to renewable energy for when the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta mine close this November.
• The Washington Examiner reports Rep. Rooney and Rep. Lipinski introduced and co-sponsored two carbon tax bills, and other lawmakers are putting forward carbon taxes of their own.
• E&E Daily reports three Senate Democrats introduced a proposal to set a nationwide energy efficiency standard that could save consumers billions of dollars while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Election 2020:

• E&E Energywire reports coal magnate Bob Murray is raising money for President Trump’s reelection in hopes the efforts can revive the coal industry and fix FERC.
• The New York Times carries an op-ed by Lee Wasserman, director of the Rockefeller Family Fund, who argues that candidates need to be judged on whether they will decrease fossil fuel extraction.

The Associated Press reports that a Utah cooperative has enough power-purchase agreements to begin pursuing a license for what would be the first small modular reactor in the U.S.

In the news today…

Coal:

• The Farmington Daily Times reports the governor of New Mexico is committing $40 million in assistance to San Juan County, the Navajo Nation and displaced workers if the San Juan Generating Station closes in 2022.
• Yale Climate Connections carries an op-ed in which the author argues that economics, not regulation, is the reason coal is in decline.
• The Casper Star Tribune reports Blackjewel has yet to finalize a new financing proposal that would bring its coal mines back to full operation.
• E&E News PM reports looming economic threats face 26 U.S. counties that are “coal-mining dependent” according to a new report.
• The Ohio Valley Resource reports declining coal tax revenues place coal-reliant counties in Appalachia at risk of fiscal collapse, according to new research.
• S&P Global reports power plant owners with plans to retire the most coal-fired capacity in the next several years said they would not change course based on the Trump administration’s ACE rule.

Minerals:

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports a Department of the Air Force request for information concerning the capacity and processing capabilities of the domestic rare earth mining industry could boost U.S. production.
• The Hill carries an op-ed in which the author argues that those who oppose the proposed Twin Metals Minnesota mine do not have the facts to back up their position since a formal proposal has yet to be submitted.
• E&E Greenwire reports two uranium mining companies have hired the same lobbying firm in their fight for domestic uranium trade protections.
• Enter Stage Right carries an op-ed by Paul Driessen and Ned Mamula who argue that vital minerals are available in the U.S. and permitting laws should be streamlined to encourage domestic mining.

EPA:

• Politico Pro and Inside EPA report EPA has sent its final rule to repeal the WOTUS rule to the White House for interagency review.
• E&E Daily reports Sen. Rand Paul has revived a legislative package that would reduce the reach of EPA’s New Source Review permitting program for power plants and other industrial facilities.

FERC:

• E&E Energywire reports a coalition of power industry groups launched a legal fight over a federal regulation opening wholesale electricity markets to energy storage technologies like batteries.

World News:

• Reuters reports China’s coal output for June hit a record high as miners ramped up production to ensure supply ahead of peak summer demand for electricity.

In the news today…

Coal:

• The Washington Post reports black lung disease is on the rise and that the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is on unstable ground.
• The Journal reports the public comment period on the environmental analysis concerning the expansion of the Hesperus coal mine in Colorado is now open.
• The Lexington Herald-Leader carries an editorial in which the author argues that the coal industry is hurting its workers as it struggles to stay afloat.
• The Associated Press reports New Mexico regulators have decided on a course for how they will handle the closure of the San Juan Generating Station.
• Argus reports DOE has selected six projects to receive more than $14 million in federal funding to develop new coal-fired power plant technology.

ACE Rule:

• Bloomberg Environment reports coal-fired utilities aren’t getting the flexibility they had hoped for in the ACE rule.

Carbon Capture:

• Utility Dive reports Sen. Bill Cassidy has asked DOE to focus on carbon capture efforts for natural gas instead of coal and is co-sponsoring a bill to that effect.

Minerals:

• CNBC reports Wyoming may be a prime spot to mine rare earth minerals within the U.S.
• E&E Daily reports House Republicans are asking for an investigation after a columnist snagged Interior Department emails regarding an Obama-era mineral lease denial.

In the news today…

Coal:

• The Casper Star Tribune runs an editorial which argues that Blackjewel owes an explanation to its workers and Wyoming over the sudden closure of two coal mines.
• The Lexington Herald Leader reports a former employee filed a class action lawsuit against Blackjewel for breaking federal labor law regarding wages and benefits.
• Vox carries an editorial which argues that the coal industry is drying up in both Appalachia and Wyoming and that the coal workers are being left behind.
• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports a federal appeals court in Cincinnati has ruled in favor of union power plant workers, supporting their claim for $5.5 million in back wages.
• Reuters reports at least half of the Democrats running for president have said they were interested in UMWA’s invitation to tour underground coal mines and speak with miners about the future of coal.
• The Environmental Working Group carries an editorial which argues that efforts to help the coal industry are futile and states should stop passing legislation to prop up coal and instead focus on transition funding.
• Argus reports U.S. generators will use less coal for the rest of this year than expected because of low gas prices and increased renewable supply.
• E&E Energywire reports BLM’s Colorado office is holding two hearings for coal mine expansions on the same day, which environmentalists claim was planned to stop public commentators from being present at both meetings.

Minerals:

• The Nevada Current carries an editorial which argues that Nevada’s mining tax policy for minerals is a farce and needs to be reformed.
• E&E Energywire reports a report by Greenpeace finds that deep-sea mining for minerals risks severe damage to the environment and suggests recycling minerals as an option for minerals supply in products like electric cars.

In the news today and from the weekend…

Rare Earth Metals:

• DefenseNews carries an op-ed by Jeff Green, president of the J.A. Green & Company government relations firm, in which he comments on China’s threatened restriction of rare earths to U.S. defense contractors and argues this has been a security vulnerability for years.

ACE Rule:

• InsideEPA reports EPA is only projecting small cuts in greenhouse gases from the ACE rule but is confident about the utility sector’s market-based shift toward lower emitting sources.
• InsideEPA reports EPA critics are questioning EPA’s cost-benefit analysis for its ACE rule, charging that the agency’s official projections of modest benefits could be inflated and the rule might even result in higher carbon emissions.

Coal:

• Washington Examiner reports Democrats are calling for a “just transition” of coal miners to other professions in the wake of Blackjewel LLC filing for bankruptcy.
• The Lexington Herald Leader reports Blackjewel will not be reimbursing miners’ paychecks until the company can resume its normal operations.
• WVPB reports a federal bankruptcy court has granted a request by Blackjewel to borrow $5 million to stay afloat on the condition that its president and CEO, Jeff Hoops, resigns.

Carbon Capture:

• Washington Examiner reports House lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill to support carbon capture research.

EPA:

• E&E Greenwire reports EPA plans to overhaul the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review program in the coming months.
• E&E Energywire reports new CEQ guidance rolling back key elements of an Obama-era instruction document could open legal vulnerabilities in NEPA reviews.

Environment:

• Axios reports the president will give a speech on his administration’s environmental efforts today; this is viewed as odd by many given his track record repealing environmental regulations.