Abandoning Coal Could Mean Blackouts for U.S. Power Grid

Via Lifezette:  There’s plenty of talk these days among energy advocates and environmentalists about the need for natural gas to replace coal as the workhorse producer for America’s daily electricity needs. And coal has undoubtedly been on the ropes in recent years, with both expanded natural gas production and a host of federal regulations cutting […]

Study Documents Coal’s Value for Baseload Power

The National Mining Association (NMA) today hailed a new report documenting the value of coal for ensuring the reliability and resiliency of the national power grid. The report, “The Contribution of the Coal Fleet to America’s Electricity Grid,” was prepared by PA Consulting Group for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), and documents […]

VP Pence Tells State Chamber ‘War on Coal is Over’

Via The Herald-Dispatch: Vice President Mike Pence came to the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s 81st Annual Meeting and Business Summit at The Greenbrier and declared, “The war on coal is over.” Pence says President Donald Trump has rolled back many federal regulations that hurt West Virginia’s coal industry. “President Trump has signed more laws […]

Coal Uptick Boosting Show

Via The Bluefield Daily Telegraph: The number of exhibitors for the upcoming Bluefield Coal Show continues to grow, and an increase in coal production is cited as providing a positive impetus. Charles A. Peters, longtime chairman of the show, said the number has climbed to more than 190. “We are happy to share that exhibitors […]

Coal is On the Upswing

Via West Virginia MetroNews: Few analysts think coal will ever return to the dominant position it once held in the nation’s power generation and world energy market, but one industry player believes all indications are the coal industry has turned the corner and will continue to attain a position of strength going forward. “It’s coming […]

The Oracle at DOE

August 28th, 2017 In Greek mythology, the Oracle at Delphi spoke so cryptically that both Athenians and rival Spartans could hear what they wanted to hear. Both sides found something to like. Secretary Perry’s staff’s study on grid “resilience” accomplished much the same thing. Call it Delphic wisdom. The renewable energy industry was relieved to […]

Old King Coal May Rightly Be Merry Again

Via The Wall Street Journal: It is refreshing to see an assessment (“Coal Makes a Comeback,” Review & Outlook, Aug. 17) recognizing that policy matters greatly, especially when it distorts energy markets. The Obama administration rules on mercury emissions from power plants, for example, had little to do with mercury, and everything to do with […]

Coal’s Comeback

Via The West Virginia MetroNews: The anti-coal movement and its advocates in the previous administration in Washington tried their best to snuff out the industry and, in the process, ruin the livelihoods of miners and destroy communities.  President Obama’s executive orders and his EPA’s regulatory stranglehold nearly brought coal to its knees. When confronted with […]

NMA Applauds Energy Department’s Assessment of the Electric Grid’s Resilience

The National Mining Association’s (NMA) president and CEO Hal Quinn comments on today’s release of the Department of Energy’s “Staff Report on Electricity Markets and Reliability” that assesses the resilience of the nation’s electric grid: “The National Mining Association applauds the department for its timely analysis of the nation’s power grid and the recommendations it […]

DOE Study: Coal, Gas, Nuclear Critical to Power Grid ‘Resiliency’

Via Cleveland.com: The U.S. Department of Energy is recommending new federal market policies be created to recognize that old coal and nuclear power plants as well as new gas plants are critical to the stability — and resiliency — of the nation’s electric grid. The DOE is recommending the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission work with […]