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Related.Accelerated Move Towards Cleaner Sources of Energy By Joby Warrick August 1 at 11:59 PM Washington Post Coal and natural gas are the most common sources for electricity in the country, but coal represents a declining share. The new Clean Power Plan seeks to accelerate that trend by requiring power plants to cut carbon pollution levels and rewarding states and companies that embrace clean sources of energy.
By Joby Warrick August 1 at 11:59 PM WaPo The Obama administration will formally adopt an ambitious regulation for cutting greenhouse-gas pollution on Monday, requiring every state to reduce emissions from coal-burning power plants and putting the country on a course that could change the way millions of Americans get their electricity.
A retooled version of the administration’s Clean Power Plan, first proposed a year ago, will seek to accelerate the shift to renewable energy while setting tougher goals for slashing carbon emissions blamed for global warming, according to administration officials briefed on the details.
The new plan sets a goal of cutting carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent by the year 2030, compared with 2005 levels — a 9 percent jump from the previous target of 30 percent — while rewarding states and utility companies that move quickly to expand their investment in solar and wind power.
Many states will face tougher requirements for lowering greenhouse-gas emissions under the revised plan. But state governments also will be given more time to meet their targets and considerably more flexibility in how they achieve their pollution-cutting goals, according to two senior officials knowledgeable about the rule. For the first time, the officials said, the plan also includes a “reliability safety valve” that can buy states additional time if needed to avoid disruptions in the power supply.
More From By AMY HARDER, COLLEEN MCCAIN NELSON and REBECCA SMITH Aug. 2, 2015 8:07 p.m. ET The Wall St Journal "The 2014 draft rule relied on a large and early shift from coal to natural gas. The final regulations would remove that assumption and instead create a new program to encourage states to deploy more renewable energy and energy efficiency by giving credits toward compliance on such projects that begin construction early on.
“We’re disappointed and discouraged that they [the administration] seem to be ignoring the fact that natural gas has greatly reduced emissions,” said Marty Durbin, chief executive of America’s Natural Gas Alliance, a trade group representing natural-gas-producing companies.
The slump has a number of coal companies at risk. Walter Energy Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection last month with a plan to hand control of the company to senior creditors, after chapter 11 filings by Patriot Coal Corp. and Xinergy Ltd. earlier this year. Arch Coal Inc., meanwhile, is working with bankers and lawyers who specialize in helping struggling companies, The Wall Street Journal has reported, and is facing lender pushback on a proposed debt-for-debt exchange meant to reduce its borrowings and interest costs.
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By Joby Warrick August 1 at 11:59 PM Washington Post
Coal and natural gas are the most common sources for electricity in the country, but coal represents a declining share. The new Clean Power Plan seeks to accelerate that trend by requiring power plants to cut carbon pollution levels and rewarding states and companies that embrace clean sources of energy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/power-plants/
By Joby Warrick August 1 at 11:59 PM WaPo
The Obama administration will formally adopt an ambitious regulation for cutting greenhouse-gas pollution on Monday, requiring every state to reduce emissions from coal-burning power plants and putting the country on a course that could change the way millions of Americans get their electricity.
A retooled version of the administration’s Clean Power Plan, first proposed a year ago, will seek to accelerate the shift to renewable energy while setting tougher goals for slashing carbon emissions blamed for global warming, according to administration officials briefed on the details.
The new plan sets a goal of cutting carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent by the year 2030, compared with 2005 levels — a 9 percent jump from the previous target of 30 percent — while rewarding states and utility companies that move quickly to expand their investment in solar and wind power.
Many states will face tougher requirements for lowering greenhouse-gas emissions under the revised plan. But state governments also will be given more time to meet their targets and considerably more flexibility in how they achieve their pollution-cutting goals, according to two senior officials knowledgeable about the rule. For the first time, the officials said, the plan also includes a “reliability safety valve” that can buy states additional time if needed to avoid disruptions in the power supply.
The rule — the first to regulate carbon emissions as a pollutant — is certain to face legal challenges as well as fierce opposition from the Republican-controlled Congress.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/white-house-set-to-adopt-sweeping-curbs-on-carbon-pollution/2015/08/01/ba6627fa-385c-11e5-b673-1df005a0fb28_story.html
More From By AMY HARDER, COLLEEN MCCAIN NELSON and
REBECCA SMITH
Aug. 2, 2015 8:07 p.m. ET The Wall St Journal
"The 2014 draft rule relied on a large and early shift from coal to natural gas. The final regulations would remove that assumption and instead create a new program to encourage states to deploy more renewable energy and energy efficiency by giving credits toward compliance on such projects that begin construction early on.
“We’re disappointed and discouraged that they [the administration] seem to be ignoring the fact that natural gas has greatly reduced emissions,” said Marty Durbin, chief executive of America’s Natural Gas Alliance, a trade group representing natural-gas-producing companies.
Analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. said the rule would increase utility consumption of natural gas by 7.1 billion cubic feet a day, or 32%, enough to lift national demand for it by about 10%. The big loser—the coal industry—will see consumption drop 23% by 2020, adding to the crisis already rocking mining. Some opponents have labeled the rule a “war on coal.” "
Top link to WSJ story ?
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&authuser=0&q=http://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-new-climate-change-regulations-to-alter-challenge-industry-1438560433&oq=http://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-new-climate-change-regulations-to-alter-challenge-industry-1438560433&gs_l=news-cc.12...3143.3143.0.4748.1.1.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0...1ac.2.#q=http://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-new-climate-change-regulations-to-alter-challenge-industry-1438560433&hl=en&gl=us&authuser=0
And
BUSINESS
Alpha Natural Resources to Seek Chapter 11 By MATT JARZEMSKY
Aug. 2, 2015 7:25 p.m. ET The Wall St Journal
Coal producer looks to reduce its $3 billion debt burden; mine sales are possible
the price of metallurgical coal has hit an 11-year low amid an economic slowdown in China, the world’s largest producer of steel. Thermal-coal prices have also plummeted as power plants switch to abundant and relatively clean-burning natural gas.
The slump has a number of coal companies at risk. Walter Energy Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection last month with a plan to hand control of the company to senior creditors, after chapter 11 filings by Patriot Coal Corp. and Xinergy Ltd. earlier this year. Arch Coal Inc., meanwhile, is working with bankers and lawyers who specialize in helping struggling companies, The Wall Street Journal has reported, and is facing lender pushback on a proposed debt-for-debt exchange meant to reduce its borrowings and interest costs.
“Coal markets are as difficult as I’ve seen them during my 30 years in the industry,” Arch Chief Executive John Eaves told analysts during a conference call last week as the company announced a $168 million quarterly loss.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/alpha-natural-resources-to-seek-chapter-11-1438557901