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China’s coal problem is youth

A new International Energy Agency report highlights one big challenge facing China as the world’s largest CO2 emitter begins implementing its national emissions trading system: The country’s coal fleet is very young. Why it matters: IEA’s analysis this week warns that while newer facilities are far more efficient than older models, the average plant age “potentially locks in large […]

A New Coal Boom in China

SummaryAfter years of putting the brakes on the amount of coal plants newly proposed and permitted for construction, China is again stepping on the gas, according to a survey of coal plant development in China from January 1 to June 15, 2020, by Global Energy Monitor and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean […]

Wyoming, Montana Seek Supreme Court Ruling on Coal Exports

 Wyoming and Montana asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to rule on Washington State’s denial of a permit for a port facility that could boost U.S. coal exports.Recommended VideosPowered by AnyClipTrump administration asks Supreme Court to axe Obamacare The coal-producing Rocky Mountain states argue the denial violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from […]

Europe targets US coal in election-year trade staredown

Transatlantic relations could reach a new low next month as the European Union readies tariffs on billions of dollars of American exports aimed at politically important industries for President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. The EU has asked the World Trade Organization to give it the green light to place levies on $11.2-billion of […]

Gordon pushes lawsuit over coal terminal

Wyoming continues to forge ahead in its lawsuit against Washington, alleging the state unconstitutionally blocked a proposed coal export terminal. Gov. Mark Gordon submitted a reply brief Tuesday to the U.S. Supreme Court, reasserting Washington unlawfully regulated interstate commerce when it denied necessary water quality certifications to the company proposing to build the Millennium Bulk […]

COVID-19 Could Cause A Boom In Coal Power

COVID-19 has not only impacted the energy industry’s revenues but also its infrastructure development. The delay of new natural gas facilities means that many countries, such as Vietnam, will have to rely on coal-generated power to make up the shortfall. The case study of Vietnam shows that these infrastructure delays will also lead to an […]

1 big thing: Coal’s global persistence…

Global coal consumption dipped by 0.6% in 2019, the fourth decline in six years, but the most carbon-intensive fuel remains by far the largest source of power generation in world, per BP’s latest global data review. Why it matters: Coal’s persistence in the global mix, even as it loses some ground, is among the major reasons why the […]

Oakland Effort To Block Fossil-Fuel Exports Suffers Second Judicial Setback

The Ninth Circuit’s May 26 decision to send the City of Oakland’s climate-change lawsuit against oil companies back to the lower court overshadowed another important Ninth Circuit ruling involving Oakland and fossil fuels. Released the same day, OBOT v. City of Oakland affirmed a lower court decision featured on this blog nearly two years ago. […]

Global electricity consumption continues to rise faster than population

Global electricity consumption continues to increase faster than world population, leading to an increase in the average amount of electricity consumed per person (per capita electricity consumption), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) International Energy Statistics. Electricity is used most commonly in buildings for lighting and appliances, in industrial processes for producing goods, […]

Fate of US coal exports in 2020 may ride on post-pandemic stimulus

Facing mounting pressure from the investment community due to environmental concerns, some U.S. coal companies bet their future prospects on exporting product overseas. But with few export opportunities before the pandemic and a global economic slowdown ripping into electricity and steel demand, it is unclear when the export market will become that panacea without nations […]