Energy

A state environmental review board voted Wednesday to allow Wyoming's first major coal mine in decades to proceed despite the objections of another coal company. Amid competition from natural gas and tougher environmental regulations, coal mines tend to be cutting back production or even shutting down — not opening anew. Kentucky-based Ramaco's relatively small Brook Mine would buck that trend but has faced opposition from another company and a ranch. The Wyoming Environmental Quality Council voted unanimously to allow Ramaco to go ahead despite the Big Horn Coal Company's objections. [node:read-more:link]

As the U.S. and other countries have ramped up development of bio-energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, demand is rising for trees for wood pellets, or biomass, and agricultural products for liquefied biofuels.  A recent multi-year study by researchers at North Carolina State University and the U.S. Geological Survey, detailed in two papers printed in August in the journal “Global Change Biology Bioenergy,” indicates that the increased demand could come with a cost: a loss of forested land, especially mature pinelands, and because of that, less habitat for wildlife. [node:read-more:link]

The fracking boom in America kicked off almost by accident. An engineer worried about losing his job kept experimenting until he hit on a technique that changed the world. Back in 1995, Nick Steinsberger was 31. He was working for an oil company called Mitchell Energy. And he had just gotten a promotion. He was put in charge of an area called the Barnett Shale. It was in central Texas. And the company had a bunch of natural gas wells there. A couple of months in, management called him in for a meeting. [node:read-more:link]

The fate of a nuisance case against an Oklahoma wind farm is up to a federal judge after a hearing Tuesday in Oklahoma City. More than 60 members of the Oklahoma Wind Action Associated showed up for the hearing before U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti on a motion by Kingfisher Wind LLC to issue a summary judgment in the case. After the two-hour hearing, DeGiusti said he will rule at a later date. If he declines to grant the wind company's motion, the case will proceed to a bench trial. [node:read-more:link]

The Hogan administration has proposed rules that would prohibit the gas-drilling technique known as fracking within 2,000 feet of a private drinking water well, require steel casings around gas bores to a depth of 100 feet, and require energy companies to replace any water supply that is contaminated by the practice. The Maryland Department of the Environment submitted the measures to a legislative committee that reviews regulations, a year before a state ban on fracking ends. The plan was unveiled five days ahead of the Oct. [node:read-more:link]

Missouri is one of three most improved states in the 2016 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which is published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The state ranked 32nd in 2016, rising 12 positions from its 2015 ranking. Missouri scored 13.5 points out of a possible 50, five more points than it earned in last year’s ranking. [node:read-more:link]

Midwest Energy News: What is impact investing? Pfund: It is a kind of investment that recognizes new business formation and investment that can have profound social impact. It harnesses the power of investment to make positive social impact, as well as returns for its investors. We’ve invested in iconic leaders in sustainability, health and nutrition, and digital music. We have proof points that it should be done more. You don’t have to sacrifice financial return if you introduce a social dimension to your approach. [node:read-more:link]

Policy disputes about how electricity ought to be generated and the role of fossil fuels such as gas and oil on the economy are generating one kind of product to be sure -- reports from economists and pollsters.  No fewer than two economic reports and one poll were released.  And at least one of them, a national poll released by the Young Conservatives for Clean Energy Reform and the Christian Coalition, was aimed at national policy makers and Congress, who normally receive a steady stream of reports from organizations such as the American Petroleum institute. [node:read-more:link]

Ohio's Republican voters and conservative independents are greener than state politicians might have believed. [node:read-more:link]

Minneapolis garnered national attention when it formed a first-of-its-kind partnership with local utilities to advance sustainable, efficient energy policy. Now, as communities across the U.S. increasingly push for influence over their energy futures, the Midwestern city offers a blueprint for what works and a taste of the challenges that come with cooperation. The Clean Energy Partnership, as it’s known, marked a pioneering approach to responsible energy policy. [node:read-more:link]