Pruitt talks decentralizing EPA operations, can't recall harsh Trump comments
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt said the EPA may decentralize operations to focus more on issues of importance to states.
EPA replaces Obama-era haze plan for Arkansas
The EPA approved revisions to a regional haze plan for Arkansas, an action Pruitt touted as an example of cooperative federalism at work.
Divided appeals court remands FERC orders on MISO upgrade funding policies
Finding that "neither evidence nor economic logic" supports the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's theory that the Midcontinent ISO's policies on the funding of certain electric transmission network upgrades were potentially discriminatory, a divided federal appeals court on Jan. 26 remanded the agency's decision that those policies need to be changed.
PJM claims pricing reforms can limit extra payments to generators
One reason to improve pricing in PJM Interconnection's energy markets is to limit extra payments called "uplift" that help generators needed for reliability recover their costs, PJM President and CEO Andy Ott told federal legislators.
As requested, EPA withdraws 'once in, always in' rule for hazardous pollutants
A little more than two weeks after receiving a request to do so, the EPA issued a guidance memorandum withdrawing a Clinton-era rule that permanently mandated stricter controls of hazardous air pollutants on facilities that did not meet their first substantive compliance deadline.
Falling coal demand helps cut US toxic chemical releases from electric utilities
The electric power sector decreased its releases of air toxics in 2016 by 35% from the prior year's level, due in part to the shift away from coal for electricity generation, the EPA reported.
Appeals court upholds FERC's approval of key PJM capacity market price input
A federal appeals court refused to overturn federal regulators' approval of a change to a key parameter that is used to help set prices in the PJM Interconnection's capacity auction.
New England plan to accommodate state policies protested, applauded
Comments have poured in to FERC on an innovative ISO New England plan to establish a two-part forward capacity auction aimed at accommodating state energy policies by allowing newer generation to replace aging assets willing to retire early in exchange for what essentially would be a severance payment.
EPA, Army Corps finalize delay of Clean Water Rule
The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized a proposal to delay the implementation date of the Clean Water Rule by two years. In doing so, they clarified when the waters of the U.S. will be defined by the Obama-era rule, if that is to happen at all.
EPA delay of effluent rule leads group to file endangered species suit
The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the EPA over its delay of a regulation that would have required coal-fired power plants to treat and limit discharges of toxic metals into the water. According to the group, the agency failed to properly consult with other agencies about the impact the delay would have on endangered species and the water bodies that receive power plants discharges.
Trump to nominate former oil, gas geologist, astronaut to head science agency
President Donald Trump will nominate former geologist and astronaut James Reilly to head the U.S. Geological Survey, the White House announced.
Report: White House to seek 72% cut in DOE clean energy research funding
The Trump administration will propose a 72% funding cut for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in fiscal year 2019, The Washington Post reported Jan. 31.
