The Energy Report
Justice 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.
Read MoreTVA Releases Long-term Energy Plan, Announces Retirement of Two Coal Power Plants
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.
Read MoreFriends of Perry State Forest Fight Mine Permit
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.
Read MoreWestmoreland Coal Allowed to Sever Worker Agreements
In February, a federal judge allowed Westmoreland Coal Company to terminate benefits for current and retired coal miners.
Read MoreKentucky Holds Hearing on 10,000-acre Mining Ban
Residents of Harlan County, Ky., are seeking to ban surface mining on 10,000 acres of land near the towns of Benham and Lynch.
Read MoreGroups Urge Virginia Mining Agency to Strengthen Regulations
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.
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