Feature Stories
Biden Admin’s New Climate Rules Could Mean Big Payday for His Buddies, Burden for Businesses
February 14, 2024
In a setback for former government officials and attorneys poised to cash in on proposed climate disclosure rules, the Securities and Exchange Commission continued to kick the ball down the road last year. Many of the objections raised in public
Arch Resources, Campbell County Look to Repurpose Portions of Coal Facilities, Wyoming
February 12, 2024
A seemingly trivial zoning change unceremoniously approved by Campbell County commissioners this month could open the door to a new economic development strategy and help backfill future job and revenue losses in the coal industry here. With few people in
How Does One-Third the CO2 Emissions Cause Three Times the Climate Damage?
January 8, 2024
This month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published revised estimates of the social cost of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — the three main greenhouse gases emitted by industrial civilization. The EPA’s new estimates of the social cost of
How Giving Trucks an Electric Boost Can Help Cut Mining Pollution in Minnesota
December 18, 2023
A Minnesota taconite mining company and its electric utility are seeking federal funding for a demonstration project aimed at slashing diesel fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. After an unsuccessful attempt to secure money this spring from the state Legislature,
North Dakota Researchers Find Cost-effective Way to Extract Rare-earth Elements from Coal
December 13, 2023
In a large warehouse in Grand Forks, Nicholas Dyrstad-Cincotta marvels at how far his team has come. Two years ago, they set out to test the economic viability of extracting critical metals from lignite coal, an abundant soft rock sediment
EPA Ups Estimates for the Social Cost of Carbon
December 12, 2023
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its estimate of the “social cost” of carbon dioxide — a contrived way of increasing the cost of everything made from or using hydrocarbon resources to vilify those projects and keep them from becoming
Rare Earth Discoveries in Coal Mines Mean They Could Play a Key Role to Play in Energy Transition
November 30, 2023
From Pennsylvania to the north of England, coal mines helped to power the Industrial Revolution, turbocharging the economic growth of countries around the world. Today, however, the production and use of coal has become a thorny issue, with critics slamming
BHP’s Massive Potash Mine Being Built in Saskatchewan Breaks New Ground for Women
November 27, 2023
In July of this year, mining giant BHP announced a company first. More than 14,000 kilometers away from its Melbourne, Australia headquarters, BHP said it had achieved its “gender balance” target for its local workforce in Saskatchewan. With women making
Unrealistic Plans to Crack Down on U.S. Power Plant Emissions Won’t Work
November 21, 2023
The Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a new plan that would limit carbon emissions from power plants, despite rising electricity demand. Its stated intention is to force utilities to rely much more heavily on hydrogen and other
Missouri Aims to Become Mining Hub for Critical Minerals, Battery Components
November 15, 2023
During the supply chain shortages in the pandemic, the nationwide lack of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals led Missouri officials to consider the state’s own ability to produce pivotal parts of the production process. Missouri has a long history as a mining
