The Energy Report
Trump Administration Charged with Weakening Endangered Species Protections to Favor Coal
Environmental groups plan to sue federal and state agencies for allegedly conspiring to weaken endangered species protections in West Virginia.
Read MoreW.V. Landowners Win Case Against Fracking Company
West Virginia’s highest court unanimously ruled that mineral companies may not use surface owners’ land to reach gas reserves under adjacent properties without obtaining their express permission.
Read MoreCompetitive Electric Cooperative Election in Virginia
Three reform candidates are challenging incumbent Rappahannock Electric Cooperative board members and are pledging to revise co-op policies around transparency and renewable energy if elected in August.
Read MoreNeighbors of Mountaintop Removal Testify Before Congress
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.
Read MoreBill Supported by Duke Energy Could Lead to Rate Hikes
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.
Read MoreJustice Coal Companies and Federal Agencies Enter Legal Battles
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s family and their companies are involved in new lawsuits with federal mine safety and reclamation authorities.
Read MoreVirginia Budget Excludes Participation in Carbon Cap and Trade Program
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.
Read MoreCourt Orders EPA to Revisit Wastewater Rule
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.
Read MoreMiners Pressure Congress for Pension Fix
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.
Read MoreEnergy News Bites
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.
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