EPA proposes rollback of Obama-era methane emissions rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moved to roll back an Obama-era rule aimed at capturing fugitive methane from oil and gas operations, arguing the prior administration made errors in its attempt to regulate emissions of the planet-warming greenhouse gas.
Electric, gas utilities expand tool to help investors compare ESG initiatives
The U.S. electric and gas utility industries released an updated version of their ESG and sustainability template to help investors track companies' environmental, social and governance initiatives just as the annual reporting season gets underway.
Long tied to fossil fuels, Native American tribes seek renewable future
Fed up with the fossil fuel industry and living on tribal lands that possess some of the best renewable resources in the U.S., Native Americans have started a transition to a clean-energy economy.
Senate Democrats tell FERC of concerns of potential PJM capacity market changes
Ten U.S. senators urged federal regulators not to enact policy limiting the participation of state-supported clean energy in the PJM Interconnection's capacity market that could exclude 14 GW of renewable energy resources and increase consumer costs by $5.7 billion per year, citing a clean energy consultant's estimate.
5th Circuit backs US EPA's move to extend waste stream deadlines for coal plants
A federal appeals court on Aug. 28 upheld the U.S. EPA's move to postpone certain deadlines associated with Obama-era effluent limitations guidelines aimed at coal-fired power plants.
Severe weather impacts highlight coal's own susceptibility to climate change
U.S. coal companies are often scrutinized for the climate impacts of burning the fuel, but the sector has also proven vulnerable to the sort of severe weather that scientists predict will be increasingly more likely due to rising global temperatures.
Report finds infrastructure investments could curb US emissions by 13% in 2030
If the federal government and U.S. Congress were to adopt a direct-spending approach to infrastructure development in renewables, energy efficiency and promoting the closure of coal-fired power plants, U.S. emissions could be reduced by about 13% from current levels in the year 2030, the Center for American Progress said in a Sept. 3 report.
NC regulators approve Duke, Dominion resource plans, but want more coal data
North Carolina utility regulators approved the latest 15-year integrated resource plans for the state's three investor-owned utilities. However, Duke Energy Corp. utilities will have to submit more data on retiring coal-fired plants early.
Canadian oil companies claim their products can help tackle climate change
Executives of Canadian oil and gas companies Cenovus Energy Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. have suggested the companies produce fewer emissions than the global industry average and, therefore, their products should be part of the solution to tackling climate change. But environmental groups and data from Trucost paint a different picture.
Wash. regulators issue final work plan to carry out 100% clean power law
In adopting a final work plan to implement Washington state's new Clean Energy Transformation Act and 10 related bills, utility regulators set a schedule for the numerous rulemakings, workgroups, reports and other proceedings to be completed over the next three years.
Exxon, Mosaic Materials ink deal to explore new carbon capture technology
Exxon Mobil Corp. and Mosaic Materials Inc. signed an agreement to explore the advancement of new technology that could remove carbon dioxide from sources of emissions, according to an Aug. 26 news release from the oil major.
Lawmakers, others want guidance on weighing emissions impacts withdrawn
Environmental groups, several Democratic U.S. senators and a number of state attorneys general have called on the White House Council on Environmental Quality to withdraw its new draft guidance for how agencies weigh greenhouse gas emissions' impacts when reviewing infrastructure project permits and other major decisions.
Amid climate change pressure, insurers hold billions in coal-exposed investments
While some prominent insurance companies are disassociating from coal, an S&P Global Market Intelligence analysis of U.S. regulatory data found that many insurers hold significant investments in companies that depend on coal as a source of revenue.
