BOSTON, MA— On September 8th, hundreds of people mobilized in East Boston to protest a planned Eversource high-voltage electric substation, and rallied for better, safer jobs; common-sense protections for immigrants; and bold action on climate change. The mobilization was one of more than 480 around the world. In San Francisco tens of thousands of people flooded the streets demanding action from governors and business leaders at the Global Climate Action Summit, while communities across the nation came together to galvanize engagement in the midterm elections.
Westmoreland Coal Company announced it will enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy today, following a recent trend in coal company bankruptcies caused by American energy consumers' increasing preference for cleaner, cheaper competitors, like solar and wind energy.
Today the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) modified the widely criticized proposal by Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration to bail out Dynegy-Vistra coal power plants in Illinois. Dynegy and Vistra Energy recently merged in a deal worth $20 billion, yet still claimed financial hardship and urged state officials to ease clean-air rules. The proposed change would have led to worse air quality and detrimental health impacts in communities already among the hardest hit by pollution.
Donald Trump formally nominated his initial coal bailout architect, Bernard McNamee, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today in order to fill the seat of resigning commissioner Robert Powelson.
Audubon, PA — PJM Interconnection, the regional electric grid operator for 13 states including Pennsylvania, announced the results of its grid reliability analysis for the FirstEnergy-owned Bruce Mansfield coal-fired power plant today. The report states the plant is not necessary for grid reliability in the area. Transmission upgrades are scheduled to be in place by the requested retirement date of June 1, 2021, which means the plant can retire on that date as requested with no impact to electric reliability.
Former coal lobbyist and acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler is holding the nation’s only hearing for public comment in Chicago on the Trump Administration’s plan to repeal the historic Clean Power Plan (CPP) and move forward with its Dirty Power Plan.
The New York Times reported late yesterday that former coal lobbyist and acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, has finalized his proposal to undermine the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which will increase the profits of his former coal clients and threaten the health of pregnant women and young children.
Long Beach, NY — The New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA) hosted a public hearing on Wednesday to provide the latest updates on the state's plan for offshore wind development for Long Beach. The Sierra Club, labor unions, allied groups, and local residents attended the hearings and voiced their support for strong environmental protections, community benefits, and labor standards in New York’s increasing investment in offshore wind.
Wednesday night, dozens of local residents and pollution experts voiced concern at a public hearing held by Governor Rauner’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) regarding an operating permit for Dynegy-Vistra’s E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant near Bartonville. The IEPA issued an initial draft “Title V” Operating Permit for E.D. Edwards in 2005. However, the permit was then “stayed” and has not become effective due to the State’s administrative review process; in other words, since 1990 the Edwards coal plant has never received a finalized Title V operating permit as required under the Federal Clean Air Act.
Duke Energy has activated a high-level emergency at the retired L.V. Sutton coal-fired power plant, as flood waters from the nearby Cape Fear River have overtaken an earthen dike and Sutton Lake in Wilmington. Meanwhile, multiple releases of pollution from the H.F. Lee coal plant have surged into the Neuse River in Goldsboro.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018, Governor Rauner’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding an operating permit for Dynegy-Vistra’s E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant near Bartonville. The IEPA issued an initial draft “Title V” Operating Permit for E.D. Edwards in 2005. However, the permit was then “stayed” and has not become effective due to the State’s administrative review process; in other words, since 1990 the Edwards coal plant has never received a finalized Title V operating permit as required under the Federal Clean Air Act.
Today, the Omaha Public Power District announced a new strategic directive for the utility that will guide their environmental stewardship for the coming decade. The policy, which also addresses the mix of energy types the utility will use, will now be publicly presented to the full OPPD board.