Feature Stories
U.S. Permitting Pandemic Plagues Alaska
June 8, 2023
Alaska’s unparalleled potential to be a major domestic supplier of the minerals and metals critical to the clean energy transition attracted some of North America’s top commodities investors and analysts to Anchorage for the second annual Alaska Sustainable Energy conference.
EPA’s Misguided Attempt to Pour Coal Emissions Down the Drain
June 7, 2023
As an environmental engineer who supports strong climate action, I oppose the Biden administration’s plan to force the shutdown of coal plants. That might seem surprising, but it shouldn’t be. Without coal to meet the nation’s need for electricity, we
The Case for Expanding Copper Production is Compelling
June 6, 2023
The demand for copper – the “metal of electrification” – is expected to double by 2035. The reason for this growth in demand is the change from a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on electricity from renewable energy sources
Decarbonization Ambitions Ignite Debate Over Mining, Permitting
June 5, 2023
The decarbonized, electrified future envisioned by the Biden administration, state governments, automakers, utility companies, and corporate sustainability goals depends to a huge degree on minerals and metals. Lots more lithium will be needed for car and truck batteries, as well
The Biden Administration’s Arithmetic Problem to Clean Energy
June 2, 2023
The Biden administration is building its entire energy agenda on a foundation of speed. Or as some members of the Biden energy team like to say, “deploy, deploy, deploy.” Their mandate is to build wind turbines, solar arrays, site transmission
Hydrogen Battery: Storing Hydrogen in Coal May Help Power Clean Energy Economy
June 1, 2023
The quest to develop hydrogen as a clean energy source that could curb our dependence on fossil fuels may lead to an unexpected place — coal. A team of Penn State scientists found that coal may represent a potential way
Massive Rare Earth Discoveries Could Mean a New Mining Rush in the Mountain West
May 31, 2023
Down a bumpy dirt road next to a small meandering creek in southeast Wyoming lies the site of a potentially massive rare earth mineral mine. These elements are used in many emerging technologies, including cell phones and solar panels, and
EPA’s Sweeping New Climate Rule has 60% of Nation’s Generating Capacity in Its Crosshairs
May 24, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled out its sweeping new climate rule last week. In the plan’s crosshairs is the generating capacity that meets 60 percent of the nation’s power. Should the EPA get its way, today’s coal and
Coal Country to Carbon Innovation: Wyoming Rare Earths Discovery Could Be a Game Changer for U.S.
May 22, 2023
While many majors are walking away from the coal business to improve ESG metrics and appease investors, some savvy miners are looking at ways to advance clean energy projects on current and former coal mine sites. Rare earths, essential elements
Nevada’s Least Populated County Braces for Industrial Boom from Lithium Mining
May 19, 2023
In the arid landscapes that make up Esmeralda County, there is a huge cache of untapped wealth that mining companies are racing to acquire: lithium. Ralph Keyes, the Chair of the Esmeralda County Board of Commissioners, likens the boom in
