** The Federal Trade Commission challenges a proposed merger between St. Louis-based companies Arch Coal and Peabody Energy, saying the move would harm consumers.
** Federal regulators are contesting two coal companies’ proposed Wyoming operations merger, concerned that it would impede competition that has helped keep prices down.
** A Wisconsin board votes to move forward with plans to seek federal approval to regulate the storage of toxic coal ash from power plants.
** Elizabeth Warren becomes the third Democratic presidential candidate to call for shutting down the Line 5 pipeline in Michigan, joining Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders.
** FirstEnergy plans to buy 250 electric pickup trucks from Ohio EV startup Lordstown Motors.
** A freight train carrying crude oil derailed in northwestern Indiana, though no injuries or spilled oil was reported.
** In a bankruptcy hearing, FEMA argues that PG&E in California owes the federal government $4 billion for disaster response, saying the company’s poor maintenance is akin to starting wildfires on purpose.
** California’s Attorney General is co-leading a lawsuit challenging the DOE’s rejection of energy efficiency standards for light bulbs.
** The Navajo Transitional Energy Company agreed to a limited waiver of sovereign immunity that would allow the U.S. government to enforce environmental laws at its coal mines in Wyoming and Montana.
** San Juan Countyresidents in northwest New Mexico are worried about what the future will bring after the closures of the San Juan Generating Station and the coal mine supplying it.
** Xcel Energy-Colorado wants to increase its natural gas rate following years of significant investments to improve reliability and reduce emissions.
** An Oregon electricity cooperative executive says Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s plans to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Snake River to increase endangered salmon runs is shortsighted.