A bimonthly digest of regional energy news
In April, people living near coal strip mines testified before a U.S. House subcommittee about how mountaintop removal coal mining has affected their lives and communities.
Duke Energy is backing a North Carolina bill that could allow the monopoly utility to raise rates with reduced oversight – and an April report shows that Duke targeted its campaign contributions to key legislators involved with the bill.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice's family and their companies are involved in new lawsuits with federal mine safety and reclamation authorities.
Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill impeding Virginia's ability to take part in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative despite a state board's April vote to join it.
A federal court ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review parts of a 2015 rule governing wastewater from power plants after environmental groups argued that it was not sufficient.
Dozens of retired coal miners came to the capitol and called on Washington lawmakers to pass legislation to preserve pensions for tens of thousands of retired and working miners.
The EPA did not update oil & gas waste rules despite protest, and is expected to change air pollution calculations to decrease health damage estimates. South Carolina passed an electric co-op transparency bill; West Virginia issued a pipeline permit without public input; and Murray Energy lost a labor rights appeal.
The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to add between four and nine gigawatts of solar power over the next 20 years, and voted to close two old coal-fired power plants in February.
The proposed 545-acre strip mine in Ohio would encompass 12 percent of the state forest and would be managed by the former CEO of a coal company that covered up water quality violations.
In February, a federal judge allowed Westmoreland Coal Company to terminate benefits for current and retired coal miners.
Residents of Harlan County, Ky., are seeking to ban surface mining on 10,000 acres of land near the towns of Benham and Lynch.
Environmental groups are calling on Virginia regulators to strengthen coal mining rules by making it easier for citizens who file complaints to be involved in site inspections, strengthening bonding requirements and more.
Gov. Jim Justice signed bills dropping a tax on coal from 5 to 3 percent over the next three years and granting a 35 percent tax credit to coal companies buying new equipment for new or expanded mining operations.
Fracking company Antero Resources was ordered to pay $3.15 million for state and federal water pollution violations and to undertake an estimated $8 million cleanup.
Gov. Roy Cooper's proposed budget for 2019 to 2021 includes $300,000 for a study to determine the state's feasibility for offshore wind energy.
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