Maryland governor reverses course, calls for statewide fracking ban

FRACKING: In a ​“stunning reversal,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan changes his stance on fracking and calls for a statewide ban because the ​“environmental risks of fracking simply outweigh any potential benefits.” (Bay Journal)

COAL:
• A judge approves coal giant Peabody Energy’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy after the company agrees to create a $43 million trust to manage environmental liabilities stemming from a dormant gold and metal mining subsidiary. (Reuters)
• Despite a small rebound in the coal industry, coal-fired power plants are continuing to shut down and job prospects are bleak. (Washington Post)
• Nearly 84 percent of North Carolina voters say Duke Energy, not customers, should pay to clean up its coal-ash ponds. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• Critics of Nevada’s last remaining coal plant are using economic arguments in their battle to shut down the facility, saying ​“NV Energy has been squandering customers’ money on an outdated power source.” (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS: An appeals court refuses to grant an emergency order to stop oil from flowing through the Dakota Access Pipeline, meaning the project could be operational as early as Monday. (NBC)

POLLUTION: The idea that air pollution doesn’t kill people is gaining momentum within the Trump administration. (New Republic)

CLIMATE:
• Amid pressure from the U.S. and other nations, references to financing programs to combat climate change are dropped from a G20 joint statement. (Independent)
• Global carbon emissions stay flat for a third year in a row, even as the world’s economy continues to grow, according to a new report from the International Energy Administration. (Washington Post)

POLICY: An executive order to roll back Obama-era climate policies could be signed by President Trump this week. (The Hill)

POLITICS: Senate Democrats send a letter asking EPA chief Scott Pruitt to ​“correct the record” on answers he gave during his confirmation hearings, referring primarily to his use of a personal email account to conduct business as Oklahoma attorney general. (The Hill)

SOLAR:
• A novel solar incentive program in Massachusetts is drawing criticism from both utilities and solar advocates. (Utility Dive)
• The first utility-scale solar plant approved for construction on Native American land goes online 30 miles north of Las Vegas. (Associated Press)
• California’s solar industry and investor-owned utilities are working on competing tariffs for homeowners and businesses that want to invest in solar and energy storage. (Greentech Media)

WIND:
• The Chamber of Commerce of Altus, Oklahoma, asks state lawmakers to give a military commission notice and siting approval for wind turbines proposed near military installations, saying ​“the presence of wind energy facilities inhibits critical radar capabilities.” (The Oklahoman)
• Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy unveils plans to greatly expand its Midwestern wind portfolio, including the largest wind project in South Dakota, citing customer savings of $4 billion over time. (Utility Dive, Argus Leader)
• The Spanish energy conglomerate Avangrid wins a $9 million bid to develop a wind farm off the coast of North Carolina. (News & Observer)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The Minnesota Legislature is considering two bills that could add an $85 to $125 annual fee on electric vehicles, following concerns over the loss of tax revenue from gas receipts. (Midwest Energy News)

BIOFUEL: Airplanes running on biofuels can reduce the emission of engine exhaust particles by up to 70 percent, according to a recent study. (Anthropocene)

COMMENTARY: Republican lawmakers in Appalachia are working to loosen mining safety laws, which would inevitably put coal miners in danger. (New York Times)