09Jan

Proposed NEPA Changes Provide a Positive First Step in Addressing Permitting Inefficiencies

The National Mining Association (NMA) today applauded the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) long-awaited proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) governing regulations. “The mining industry is all too familiar with the project delays and escalating costs associated with NEPA compliance,” said Rich Nolan, NMA president and CEO. “Our permitting process is broken, […]
09Jan

An Update 40 Years in the Making

Almost untouched since its inception in the late 1970s, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is finally getting a desperately needed update. Over the years, NEPA has become an albatross around the necks of infrastructure and energy projects of all stripes. Instead of encouraging smart environmental analysis and transparency in decision making, it has been […]
07Jan

World’s Power Demand Requires Fossil Fuel Energy

Via The Huntington Herald-Dispatch: Approximately 40% of the world’s electricity is produced by burning coal. Coal is the world’s reliable energy foundation, and it’s expected to remain the leading fuel for power generation well into the future. Energy from coal power increases productivity. It builds and illuminates schools, cleanses water, powers farm machinery, drives robot […]
06Jan

Can America’s Electricity Markets Become Competitive Again?

Via The Tribune-Democrat: Americans keep hearing bold claims about wind and solar power.  Advocates say wind and solar are growing more affordable, and are cheaper than natural gas or coal. But much of their advantage actually stems from significant taxpayer support. And without such hefty subsidies, a different picture emerges. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission […]
06Jan

The Important Difference Between Capacity and Security

To hear environmental groups and renewable boosters tell it, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) recent action to restore competition to PJM Interconnection’s capacity market was a terrible solution in search of non-existent problem. The capacity market is supposed to ensure that PJM’s customers will have adequate generating capacity, including a strong reserve of power, […]
23Dec

Coal Undergirds Grid Reliability

Via Fredericksburg.com: Which is it? Is the coal industry on the ropes or is it roaring back? The real answer: It’s complicated. Perspective is required to understand where the coal industry currently stands. While it may seem like distant history, the effects of the prior administration’s anti-coal regulatory spree persist. From 2011 to 2016, coal […]
19Dec

NMA Welcomes FERC Action to Restore Electricity Market Integrity

The National Mining Association (NMA) today issued the following statement from Rich Nolan, NMA President & CEO, responding to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision to expand PJM’s Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR). “Competitive electricity markets have been compromised by an epidemic of out-of-market payments. Today’s decision by FERC correctly aims to quarantine the […]
18Dec

Campaigning on a Platform of Job Losses and Power Outages

Presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg recently announced that if elected he will phase out coal power in the U.S. by 2030. He made this proclamation standing in the pouring rain in front of a retired coal power plant, telling the handful of people gathered that the photo-op was “one of the dumbest things we’ve ever done,” […]
16Dec

Don’t Bet Only on the Sun and the Wind

Via Morning Consult: Some scientists say we’re in a climate emergency. Can the production and use of energy be transformed soon enough to prevent the worst effects of global warming? Yes, if market prices are permitted to signal the most cost-effective adjustments. But we can’t pretend that solar and wind alone will be enough.  The […]
13Dec

Investors First, Ratepayers Second

New natural gas power plants are being added to the electricity grid at a remarkable speed and scale. And while it’s been fashionable to believe the overwhelming impetus for this building spree has been cheap natural gas that could potentially save consumers money, while also reducing emissions, that line of thinking now has nearly as […]