The US natural gas industry is leaking way more methane than previously thought. How big is the methane problem? A five-year research effort shows it’s much bigger than has been assumed so far, write Anthony J Marchese and Dan Zimmerle of Colorado State Universtiy. They add that if the problem is not tackled, the climate benefits of gas will largely evaporate. Technology is not the bottleneck, though – the government will have to adopt the right regulations.
Energy Post 17th Aug 2018 read more »
US President Donald Trump has pulled the trigger on a comeback for coal after rolling back legislation which limits the greenhouse gas emissions from its coal-fired power plants. The President has kept his election pledge to end the “war on coal” by overturning the climate change rules put in place by his predecessor. In their place are new rules which could save around 300 US coal-fired plants by allowing each state to decide what, if any, restrictions are placed on coal generators. The President appeared at a political rally in the coal-rich state of West Virginia to confirm that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will send former President Barack Obama’s ‘clean power plan’ up in smoke.
Telegraph 21st Aug 2018 read more »
Guardian 21st Aug 2018 read more »
The Trump administration has hailed its overhaul of federal pollution restrictions on coal-burning power plants as creating new jobs, eliminating burdensome government regulations and ending what President Trump has long described as a “war on coal.” The administration’s own analysis, however, revealed on Tuesday that the new rules could also lead to as many as 1,400 premature deaths annually by 2030 from an increase in the extremely fine particulate matter that is linked to heart and lung disease, up to 15,000 new cases of upper respiratory problems, a rise in bronchitis, and tens of thousands of missed school days.
New York Times 21st Aug 2018 read more »
Coal-fired power generation is likely to decline in the US over the next two decades, even after the Trump administration’s attempt to ease the environmental regulations.
FT 21st Aug 2018 read more »
