News of the Day :
Court Tosses Environmental Protest of EPA Covid-Era Enforcement
Bloomberg Law, July 8, 2020
The EPA can take its time responding to environmentalists’ request for increased transparency about the agency’s approach to enforcement during the coronavirus pandemic, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York refused to give the agency a deadline to address a petition the Natural Resources Defense Council and other groups filed in April for an emergency rule requiring public notice of any reduced monitoring or reporting of pollution.
OIL
Salary for signatures argued in oil tax initiative lawsuit
Affidavits show oil tax signatures were illegally gathered, but what’s the remedy? Court will decide
GAS
Buffet decision shows LNG projects on shaky political, economic ground: report
The Canadian Press, July 7, 2020
Legendary investor Warren Buffett’s decision to walk away from a proposed export terminal for liquefied natural gas in Quebec is being held up in a new report as a sign that the LNG sector in Canada and elsewhere is on shaky ground. The Global Energy Monitor report released Monday says Buffett’s move in March underscores the growing political and economic uncertainty that LNG projects are facing even as governments around the world tout liquefied natural gas as a clean alternative to coal power.
Global LNG projects jeopardized by climate concerns, pandemic delays – report
MINING
The US Must Still Focus on Clean Coal Technologies
Dan Ervin, Real Clear Energy, July 8, 2020
When environmentalists talk about carbon mitigation, they invariably leave out coal technology. That’s absurd. The reality is that, despite coal plant shutdowns in the United States and Europe, coal is prospering in Asia and beyond, and this requires a new way of thinking and talking about the transition to clean energy sources and how to facilitate the use of coal in an environmentally sound way – recognizing the considerable benefits this will bring in an era of economic uncertainty. Those who think that coal no longer matters should think again.
Wyoming regulators approve state’s first new coal mine in decades
Camille Erickson, The Casper Tribune, July 7, 2020
Wyoming environmental regulators have approved a coal firm’s application to construct the state’s first new coal mine in nearly half a century. The Department of Environmental Quality announced Tuesday it will issue a coal mining permit to Brook Mining Company LLC following years of internal review and public debate. The permit will allow the firm to mine for coal just north of Sheridan. For nearly a decade, coal technology firm Ramaco Carbon (Brook Mine’s parent company), has fought to revive mining at a site eight miles northwest of Sheridan to supply its future research facilities with coal.
Utah coal counties pledge $20M in state money to help get Oakland port back on track
Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, July 5, 2020
Four coal-producing Utah counties are preparing to throw a $20 million lifeline to the bankrupt proponents of a deep-water export terminal in Oakland, Calif., a project that has been mired in controversy and litigation for years with no resolution in sight.
Related: The pathway to net-zero for miners
POLITICS
U.S. Energy Secretary blames activists for big pipeline setbacks
Reuters Business News, July 6, 2020
U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said on Monday that he blames activists for a pair of high-profile pipeline setbacks in recent days, including a court’s decision to force Energy Transfer Partners LP to close its Dakota Access crude oil pipeline over its environmental impact study. Asked during an interview on Fox Business Network if he blamed activists for the setbacks, Brouillette said “I do.” “I’m not quite sure what they’re cheering except for perhaps the loss of jobs all throughout America,” he said.