A bimonthly digest of regional energy news
Virginia regulators initiated bond forfeiture at two coal mines owned by the family of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. The regulators cited failure to pay penalties and chronic environmental and public safety violations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the protection of 445 stream miles in Central Appalachia in January that serves as habitat for two at-risk aquatic species.
The president's planned changes to the National Environmental Policy Act include eliminating a requirement for agencies to review the cumulative impacts of certain infrastructure projects on climate change.
The Clean Economy Act would require Virginia to transition to 100 percent renewable energy and emit no carbon from the power sector by 2050.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency cancelled a key water quality permit for a proposed coal mine in Perry State Forest in January.
Several communities have passed resolutions in support of congressional reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land program, and more are expected to consider the proposal.
The Tennessee Valley Authority found traces of toxic coal ash in a mysterious dust coating homes and cars in Anderson County, Tenn. The monopoly utility is considering opening a coal ash landfill in Claxton, Tenn., despite local pushback.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest are fighting a proposed Louisville Gas & Electric natural gas pipeline that would cut through the protected woodland.
The North Carolina General Assembly removed a controversial provision from a ratemaking bill that would have allowed Duke Energy to enact multi-year rate hikes.
Murray Energy filed for bankruptcy in October, the latest of eight coal bankruptcies in 2019. Legal disputes regarding the summer Blackjewel bankruptcy continue.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to roll back pollution limits for coal-fired power plants pending public comment.
A Senate bill would help fund miners' pensions, including those affected by recent bankruptcies. In the House, a bill would re-instate a historic tax on coal companies to fund healthcare for miners with black lung disease.
Federal regulators proposed a rule in October that would allow the transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail without any new safety regulations or testing.
Federal regulators announced new pipeline safety rules in September, but pipeline opponents argue the updated rules are not strong enough.
Lower-than-expected income from fossil fuel severance taxes is putting the West Virginia state budget in a bind. Some advocate for raising the severance tax rate on natural gas.
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