Energy Report
A digest of regional energy news
Kentuckians Petition State to Block Surface Mining Near Two Towns
Filers of the petition argue that future surface coal mining near Benham and Lynch, Ky., would harm residents’ health and enjoyment of the area, as well as the towns’ historic character and attempts to attract tourism.
Funding for Black Lung Benefits Halved
A tax on coal companies funding benefits for former miners with black lung disease was halved at the first of the year.
EPA Questions Benefits of Mercury Regulations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is changing the way it calculates the benefits of reducing mercury and air pollution emissions from coal-fired power plants, which advocates fear could lead to looser pollution limits in the future.
Petrochemical Plants Advance
Ohio issued an air permit for a petrochemical plant in Belmont County as construction continues on Royal Dutch Shell’s ethane cracker in western Pennsylvania.
Coal-friendly Wheeler Nominated to Lead EPA
President Trump nominated former coal lobbyist and current Acting U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to lead the agency in January.
