U.S. Energy News

U.S. allies with Russia, Saudi Arabia at climate talks

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! CLIMATE: The Trump administration allies with Russia, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia in an effort to water down an international climate pledge. (The Guardian)

ALSO:
• New and recently re-elected Democratic governors plan a series of aggressive steps to address climate change and bolster renewables. (The Hill)
• As President Trump advocates for fossil fuels at the UN climate talks, the largest U.S. energy companies double down on renewables.

U.S. Energy News

EPA: Coal rule change unlikely to spur new power plants

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! COAL:
• The Trump administration moves to eliminate an Obama-era requirement that new coal plants use expensive technology to capture carbon emissions. (NPR)
• An economic analysis by the EPA acknowledges that the rule change is unlikely to spur any new coal plant construction. (The Hill)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• The rural Midwest benefits more from clean energy jobs in wind, solar and energy efficiency than fossil fuels, a new report says.

U.S. Energy News

Global emissions on track for new record in 2018

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! EMISSIONS: Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels and industry are projected to reach a record high in 2018, according to a new report. (Washington Post)

WIND: Iowa regulators approve a 591 MW wind project for MidAmerican Energy, though clean energy groups hoped the plan would address closing some of the utility’s coal fleet. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Minnesota Sustainable Growth Coalition is looking for its next Program Manager.

U.S. Energy News

Xcel Energy pledges to go carbon-free by 2050

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! UTILITIES: Xcel Energy commits to achieving 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050 across all eight states it serves. (Greentech Media)

ALSO:
• Xcel’s announcement Tuesday in Denver may have also revived a long debate over the viability of carbon capture technology. (Energy News Network)
• Ohio consumer advocates say a proposed deal with state regulators involving FirstEnergy earnings is “contributing to the electric utilities’ subsidy culture” to the detriment of ratepayers.

U.S. Energy News

‘Clean coal’ pollution regularly exceeds conventional power plants

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COAL: U.S. power plants that burned refined “clean coal” underperformed the rest of the industry in reducing nitrogen oxide emissions, an analysis finds. (Reuters)

COAL ASH: Dozens of plaintiffs must link their illness or death to coal ash exposure during the cleanup of TVA’s 2008 Kingston coal ash spill after a jury found the contracting company guilty of failing to protect them. (InsideClimate News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Minnesota Sustainable Growth Coalition is looking for its next Program Manager. Apply today to help the business-led coalition advance the region toward a circular economy.***

POLITICS:
• West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a staunch backer of the coal industry, is poised to lead the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. (Bloomberg)
• Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is fueling speculation he’ll run for president on a climate change focused platform.