The Continuing Impact of Coal Ash - Energy Law Insights
Volume 9, Issue 7 Welcome to our seventh issue of Currents 2025. In this issue, we look at the changing tides for coal, the new NEPA procedures, West Virginians desire for lower cost energy, southwestern Virginia's newest...more
The methodology outlines a three-step approach for obtaining credits: retirement of coal-fired power plants, generation of replacement renewable electricity, and assurance of a just transition....more
President Trump’s energy-focused ambitions will generate work for regulators at all levels of the government....more
On April 8 and 9, 2025, President Donald Trump issued five Presidential Actions (four Executive Orders and one Proclamation, collectively “Presidential Actions”) for the purposes of ensuring adequate and reliable energy...more
Talks (Koalitionsverhandlungen) between the centre-right CDU/CSU and centre-left SPD to form a new German government concluded in a coalition agreement reached on April 9, 2025. In our previous coverage of the German...more
The executive order calls for the removal of federal regulatory barriers that hinder coal production. This will likely involve significant work to navigate and implement these changes, ensuring compliance while maximizing the...more
The below article is a summary of the Energy-related Executive Orders that have been issued this week by the Administration. Vinson & Elkins will provide a detailed substantive analysis of the Orders for clients in the coming...more
On March 12, 2025, EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (“OECA”) issued a memo outlining new national enforcement and compliance initiatives (“NECIs”). ...more
Welcome to our first Issue of Currents 2025, our energy e-newsletter. While our energy practice is constantly changing and evolving, we too have expanded our focus for 2025 with some new editors involved with this...more
In the environmental space, 2024 has been a memorable year with regulatory efforts and court decisions touching on every aspect of environmental and energy regulation, capped out by a closely divided election....more
On April 25, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a set of rules aimed at cutting air, water, and land pollution from fossil fuel-fired plants. The rules would require existing coal-fired and new gas-fired...more
What is the Hydrogen Hubbub? Hydrogen is seen by many as the fuel of the future, a substance that can provide heat through combustion, or electrical power from fuel cells, emitting only water in the process. Its potential...more
The explosion and fire of a tanker truck just north of Center City Philadelphia, leading to the collapse of sections of Interstate 95, one of the most heavily traveled roads in the United States and the chief highway...more
Real-time pricing, new rates, and enabling technologies target demand flexibility to ease California outages Bullet Utility Dive – September 13 Growing California power system reliability threats made vivid by early September...more
Coal Producer Plans to Create 181 New Jobs in Southwest Virginia Mine Complex - "Coronado Global Resources Inc., an international coal company, is committing $169.1 million toward the effort to increase capacity at its...more
Ukraine Demands Germany Cut or Halt Nord Stream 1 Gas Flows - "Ukraine is willing and able to provide an alternate transport route to the pipeline, which runs under the Baltic, he said." Why this is important: The...more
Global Coal Prices Surge as Ukraine Tensions Worsen Supply Woes - "Europe relies on Russia for around 35% of its natural gas, and has been grappling with a gas shortage since last summer that sent local prices to record...more
The long anticipated 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) kicked off last week in Glasgow and we have been closely monitoring the events of the conference, particularly where Singapore and the...more
Yesterday, we highlighted some of the developments on coal at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), including issuance of a “Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement” committing to...more
Coal Power to Increase for First Time Since 2014, US Says - "The amount of electricity produced by coal plants is expected to tick up 22% in 2021, reversing coal’s six-year downward trend." Why this is important: For...more
How a Colorado Coal Plant Could Become a Massive Battery for Renewable Energy - "If the idea works, it could be a case study for other communities trying to preserve jobs and property taxes as the world shifts to cleaner...more
Appeals Court Rules Louisiana Oil-and-Gas Lawsuits Must be Heard in Federal Court - "The state and six coastal parishes have filed 42 lawsuits against 200 fossil fuel companies since 2013 over coastal erosion and wetland...more
Why the American Jobs Plan Would Benefit Coal-Heavy Utility Stocks - "A close look at some of the utilities publicly supporting a federal CES, which would require utilities to increase their share of carbon-free energy...more
Welcome to Volume 5, Issue 22 of Currents. With this issue, we will begin publishing on a bi-weekly schedule. We believe publishing every two weeks will give us a better opportunity to focus on hot topics affecting our...more
A Bad Day for Big Oil - "ExxonMobil, Chevron lose key shareholder votes and Dutch court orders Shell to cut emissions faster." Why this is important: Issues related to climate change embroiled three oil companies this...more