The Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its data for the number of new and reactivated coal mines that began production in 2013, showing that the year had the lowest number of active coal mines since the administration began tracking numbers in 2003. In 2013, 103 mines came online as 271 were idled or closed, resulting in a 14% decline in
North Dakota judge blocks Clean Water Rule in 13 states Judge Ralph Erickson of the District Court for the District of North Dakota granted an injunction to 13 states last Thursday, blocking a new ruling from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from taking effect. The new rule, called the Clean Water Rule, would expand the amount of water under the
New regulations target three main sources of emissions The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced earlier this week that it will set new regulations to lower methane emissions by 45% compared to 2012 levels. The move comes as part of an overall policy from the Obama administration to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. The EPA’s methane regulations come on the tail of
As natural gas prices come more in-line with coal, generators make the switch This chart, provided by EnerCom Analytics, shows the increasing use of natural gas as opposed to coal for electrical generation. April 2015, marked the first time ever that natural gas was responsible for more electrical power generation than coal. The grey and red bars show the percentage
OAG360: Are there any models for tax reform that you would like to see implemented here in the United States? Buck: Yeah. The chainsaw in my garage is what I think would work best. U.S. Congressman Ken Buck’s congressional district sits on top of 85% of Colorado’s oil production—70.1 million barrels in 2014. He is a federal lawmaker with a
Carbon emissions from the power sector at lowest level since 1988 The electric power sector emitted 128 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MMmt CO2) in April 2015, according to information from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). This level of emissions is the lowest for any month since April 1988. In any year, April is typically the month with the
Latest version of the bill offers greater flexibility with higher standards The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final version of the Clean Power Plan (CPP) today, with several changes made from the last version. The final version of the CPP targets carbon emission levels 32% below those in 2005, 2% lower than the last version of the bill, according
Refiners say making them the obligated party for fuel blending is “misguided” Independent refiners are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to shift responsibility for complying with biofuel programs from refiners to fuel blenders. Delta Airlines’ (ticker: DAL) Monroe Energy LLC, Carlyle Group’s (ticker: CG) Philadelphia Energy Solutions, Valero Energy Corp (ticker: VLO) and Ronald E Minsk, who recently served
The Supreme Court decides the $4-$6 million in benefits do not outweigh the $9.6 billion annual costs of new regulations The Supreme Court decided today in a 5-to-4 decision that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed regulations regarding limits on the emission of mercury and other toxic pollutants from coal-fired power plants would place a financial burden on companies that
A new National Association of Manufacturers study shows EPA regulations could be the costliest ever The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) that would further reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides in the air throughout the U.S. According to the EPA, the estimated benefits of meeting the costs could be as much
The EPA hopes to make nearly 10% of all transportation fuels renewables by 2016 The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recently released its annual Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program with goals for renewable fuels that apply to all gasoline and diesel produced or imported in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The EPA decided to lower the goals from those set earlier by
Between 100,000 and 120,000 wells were drilled and fraced from 2011 to 2014, but few led to issues with drinking water A draft assessment released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today claims that “hydraulic fracturing activities have not led to widespread, systemic impacts to drinking water resources,” according to an EPA press release. The assessment compiles date from 950
