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FERC chairman offers no coal solutions; administration repeals Clean Water Rule

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FERC chairman offers no coal solutions; administration repeals Clean Water Rule

FERC chairman talks grid resiliency, coal communities' plight but no solutions

Though the Kentucky native leading the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission acknowledged his personal ties to coal country while speaking before industry representatives, he offered few ways for the agency to assist coal-fired utilities any time soon. Speaking at the National Coal Council's Fall Annual Meeting in Washington, FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee said he has seen the "devastating impacts" that retiring plants and shuttered mines can have on communities that may lack other forms of employment. The chairman visited Colstrip, Mont., home of the Colstrip plant, which will retire two coal-fired units by the end of the year, and said one of his main takeaways was the reality that the benefits of the energy transition "are not being felt evenly."

Trump administration formally repeals Obama-era water rule

The Trump administration on Sept. 12 formally repealed the Obama-era Clean Water Rule, setting the stage for the finalizing of a proposal that would significantly curtail federal protections for the nation's wetlands and waterways. The final action was formally announced by the heads of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at an event hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers in Washington, D.C.

West Virginia issues construction permit for coal-to-liquids facility

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued a construction permit for a coal-to-liquids facility in Mason County, according to a release from Domestic Synthetic Fuels, the company pursuing the project. The facility will turn coal and natural gas into "ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, aviation fuel, gasoline and other value-added products," the company said Sept. 13. It expects to break ground this fall and begin hiring during the second quarter of 2020.

Coal companies file concerns about ability of Cambrian, assignees to meet deals

Three coal companies objected to Cambrian Coal Corp.'s decision to assume and assign executory contracts and unexpired leases, citing concerns about the debtors' or potential assignees' ability to meet the conditions under their agreements, according to documents filed Sept. 13 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Cambrian Coal, a subsidiary of Booth Energy Group, filed for bankruptcy protection in June and plans to sell off its coal assets.

Dems call on leadership to protect miners' healthcare, pension in spending bill

Six Democratic coal-state U.S. senators appealed to House and Senate leadership to include permanent protections for retired miners' healthcare and pensions in a short-term spending package aimed at preventing the government from closing in October. In a Sept. 16 letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the senators asked leadership to "honor the promises made" to coal miners. Those "promises" include permanent protection for retiree health care, pension benefits and an extension of the coal excise tax that contributes to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, all of which constitute "literally a life and death issue for thousands of families across this country."

Labor law board files complaint against Cobalt Coal over director-imposed liens

The National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint against Cobalt Coal Ltd. to void certain liens imposed against the company by a former director. The board asked a federal court to avoid more than $1.7 million of the principal debt the Canada-based coal producer incurred to Al Kroontje, who previously served as a director and since April 2014 has had "sole signatory authority over Cobalt's bank accounts and has been in possession and control of Cobalt's books and records," according to the Sept. 17 complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

Court approves deal allowing Kopper Glo to buy 2 Blackjewel coal operations

A federal bankruptcy court gave Blackjewel LLC the go-ahead to sell two of its Appalachian coal operations to Tennessee-based Kopper Glo Mining LLC. Blackjewel, which filed for bankruptcy protection in July and is seeking to sell off all of its assets, is selling its Black Mountain and Lone Mountain coal operations located in Harlan and Letcher counties in Kentucky and Wise County, Virginia, according to an order filed Sept. 17 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The deal includes nearly $6.4 million in cash consideration and a royalty with a net present value of $9.1 million payable over six years in annual fixed amounts.