Moderate Senate Democrats Join Sen. Murkowski to Oppose
EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules

Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said this month that that they will back Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) attempt to block planned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) greenhouse gas rules.

Murkowski fears EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions would harm the economy, and Lincoln, who faces a tough reelection fight this year, issued a statement that echoes Murkowski’s concerns.

“I am very concerned about the burden that EPA regulation of carbon emissions could put on our economy and have questions about the actual benefit EPA regulations would have on the environment,” Lincoln said in a prepared statement.

“Heavy-handed EPA regulation, as well as the current cap-and-trade bills in Congress, will cost us jobs and put us at an even greater competitive disadvantage to China, India and others,” Lincoln added.

Murkowski introduced a “resolution of disapproval” under the Congressional Review Act, a 1996 law that allows Congress to overturn federal agency rules. Her resolution seeks to overturn EPA’s recent “endangerment finding” that greenhouse gases threaten human health and welfare. The finding is a legal precursor to future agency rules that limit heat-trapping gases from power plants, cars, factories and other sources.

The resolution cannot be filibustered if brought to the Senate floor.

Coal-State Members Launch Congressional Coal Caucus

A bipartisan coalition of coal-state members of Congress announced this month that they have teamed-up to form the Congressional Coal Caucus.

Calling coal “America’s most abundant and affordable energy resource,” the bipartisan group noted that coal provides nearly 50 percent of America’s energy supply and generates more than 130,000 coal-mining jobs. They’ve pledged to use their new caucus to provide a voice for coal communities in Congress.

“Coal is a critical component to our nation’s energy future,” said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). “Whether it’s on a cap-and-trade bill or on clean coal technology, this caucus will give coal-states a forum to highlight their priorities and present a unified voice. I’m proud to join my colleagues in forming this caucus and I look forward to our work together.”

“As a Congress, it is vitally important that we continue to support the development of clean coal technologies,” Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), said. “I am proud to help launch this caucus, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help enact policies that will maximize America’s coal resources.”

Members joining Altmire and Capito in forming the coal caucus include Reps. Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), John Salazar (D-Colo.) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.).

“On behalf of everyone in the coal community, I want to thank the members of the newly found caucus for their leadership in establishing the House Coal Caucus,” said NMA President and CEO Hal Quinn. “The National Mining Association looks forward to working with them and their colleagues as they focus attention on the vital role coal plays in providing affordable energy and good jobs for America.”

More information is available at: Congressional Coal Caucus announcement.

Bipartisan Group of Senators Warn Obama Against Coal Ash
Hazardous Waste Designation

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators recently warned President Obama that a possible move by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste could have far-reaching impacts on American jobs and drive up electricity prices for consumers.

In the coming months EPA is expected to make a decision on whether to regulate coal ash, a byproduct of using coal to generate electricity, as a hazardous or non-hazardous waste.

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) took the lead in marshalling a group of nine other Democrats and 17 Republicans to warn against a hazardous waste ruling.

The Senators said such a move would “pull the rug out from under the many U.S. businesses that rely on coal combustion products.”

They noted that 45 percent of coal-ash is recycled and used in a wide-range of industrial, manufacturing and agricultural operations, including heavy use in concrete production. The total value of coal ash recycling to the U.S. economy the senators said is as high as $ 8 billion annually.

“If coal ash is designated hazardous in any manner, businesses may be forced to end recycling and may shut down operations,” the senators warned.

They also noted that following a thorough examination in 2000, the Clinton Administration opted against a hazardous regulation.

A copy of the letter is available at: Letter to President Obama.

Coalition Looks to Saddle Nevada Mining Industry with
Massive New Tax

A coalition of environmentalists, labor leaders and others launched a petition drive this month to slap a massive new tax on Nevada’s mining industry. The petition drive needs more than 97,000 signatures to make the November ballot.

The coalition wants to amend the state constitution to require mining companies to pay taxes on a minimum 5 percent of their gross proceeds. The current tax is limited to a maximum of 5 percent on net proceeds before most expenses are deducted.

Backers of the proposed tax say the money would go a long way toward addressing a looming budget shortfall that Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons says could approach $400 million over the next two years.

Nevada Mining Association President Tim Crowley said the current tax structure is fair for an industry that provides the state 14,000 direct, high-paying jobs and another 51,000 indirect jobs. He said while Nevada’s unemployment rate is about 12 percent, it is closer to 6 percent in counties where mining is prevalent.

“I think study after study has shown industry-specific taxes aren’t wise,” he told the Elko Daily Free Press.

“The best thing is to broaden the tax base, not narrow it,” he said adding that his industry pays nearly $130 million annually in conventional taxes, such as property and sales taxes.

University of Kentucky gets $11.8 Million Grant for Energy Lab

The University of Kentucky was recently awarded a $11.8 million federal stimulus grant to help build a new energy research facility in northern Fayette County that will explore a range of new technologies, including clean coal technologies.

The project was among 11 chosen from a pool of 167 proposals by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The new research facility will cost $15.8 million. The state is contributing $3 million from federal stimulus funds previously earmarked to expand the applied research center building. The university will supply $1 million.

The project, which will create an unspecified number of jobs, is expected to be completed by fall 2011.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) stressed developing new clean coal technologies is especially important in Kentucky, where 17,000 people work in the coal mining.

“The renewable resources that we’re working on and the coal that we have will both play a big part in Kentucky’s future and this country’s future,” Beshear told the Lexington-Herald Leader.

Peabody Energy Honors Illinois Educator with Teaching
Excellence Award

Peabody Energy and the Logos School recently presented Coulterville High School educator Timothy D. Schnoeker with the first-ever Peabody/Logos “Leaders in Education“ award. The honor recognizes Mr. Schnoeker for his pioneering 20-year career teaching students to use technology and trade skills to benefit the community.

“Tim realizes that some lessons can’t be taught with textbooks. So, he reaches kids with real-life vocational activities that also help their neighbors in need,” said Coulterville High School Principal Karyn Albers.

The Peabody/Logos Leaders in Education awards program honors exceptional mentors who transform the lives of students. Any employee at a Missouri or Illinois public, charter or private school serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 can qualify.

St. Louis-based Peabody Energy has pledged $450,000 dollars over three years to support the program and benefit the mission of Logos School.

The Illinois State Board of Education recently identified Mr. Schnoeker as one of the top 10 Illinois educators of 2009. He also earned the 2008-2009 Technology Education Outstanding Teacher Award from the U.S. Department of the Air Force and the 2007 Distinguished Service Award of Excellence from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association.

More information is available at: Peabody Education Award.