Sam Mintz
E&E News
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Sam:
ENERGY POLICY: 100% renewables not best path to carbon-free grid — study
Fully powering the electric grid with renewable energy — a popular goal for environmentalists — isn't the cheapest way to a zero-carbon system, Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers say in a paper published today. → Read More
SECURITY: Agencies play tug of war over pipeline protection
Natural gas pipeline companies are being pulled in three different directions as federal agencies mull how to handle new security threats to an increasingly vital resource. → Read More
DOE: Officials pushed coal in 'bomb cyclone' report — emails
The Department of Energy sought to use a federal study on last winter's "bomb cyclone" weather event to rebut the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which weeks before had rejected the department's proposal to subsidize coal and nuclear units, according to newly obtained emails. → Read More
CAMPAIGN 2018: Mining industry floods Heller with cash
A sizable chunk of Nevada Sen. Dean Heller's campaign contributions in the second quarter of 2018 came from one mining supply and services conglomerate based in Pennsylvania, according to an E&E News review of federal campaign finance records. → Read More
PIPELINES: EPA walks back climate recommendations for FERC
A top EPA political official is clarifying a set of climate analysis recommendations sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last month. → Read More
FERC: Politics make quick action on new member unlikely
A combination of factors makes it unlikely that a replacement for Rob Powelson will be seated at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission anytime soon — and probably not until early 2019. → Read More
NUCLEAR: Once allies, NEI and utility gird for trial
Legal jockeying is continuing between Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc. and the top nuclear industry trade group as the two parties gear up for a potential October trial in a lawsuit that has turned the former allies into fierce opponents. → Read More
NOMINATIONS: Murkowski warns of FERC impasse without quick pick
Increasing political divisions at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission have Republicans wanting a quick replacement for outgoing member Robert Powelson. → Read More
FERC: 3-2 decision rejects PJM capacity market fixes
Federal regulators rejected two capacity market reform proposals from Eastern grid operator PJM Interconnection in a Friday decision divided along partisan lines, setting aside concerns that the move could undermine state energy policies. → Read More
REGULATION: Legal morass threatens to put FirstEnergy request on ice
Energy Secretary Rick Perry downplayed the likelihood that his department would declare a grid emergency and direct financial support to coal and nuclear power plants owned by FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. → Read More
ENERGY MARKETS: Utility requests DOE order to rescue power plants
A struggling electric utility asked the Department of Energy today to offer an emergency lifeline for coal and nuclear power plants in the eastern United States. → Read More
ENERGY POLICY: Critics slam Perry after FERC blocks his 'crazy Hail Mary'
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dealt what some called a resounding defeat to Energy Secretary Rick Perry yesterday, and in taking their victory lap, opponents have directed strong criticism at the man in charge of the Department of Energy. → Read More
DOE: 5 battles to watch in 2018
2017 was an active year for Energy Secretary Rick Perry. He announced a plan to boost nuclear and coal plants by changing electricity markets. He split the Department of Energy's energy and science divisions. He was photographed handling a falcon in Saudi Arabia. → Read More
PEOPLE: McIntyre inherits unusual chief of staff at FERC
The current chief of staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who was first brought in by former Chairman Neil Chatterjee, has an unusual background for such a key position at the agency. → Read More
DOE: Trump taps nuke lobbyist for congressional relations
President Trump said yesterday he intends to nominate a nuclear lobbyist and a former House of Representatives candidate to senior positions at the Department of Energy. → Read More
ENERGY POLICY: Nuclear frets about 'marriage of convenience' with coal
Coal and nuclear power have become so synonymous lately, they are starting to sound like a pair of always-together high school lovebirds. → Read More
CAMPAIGN 2018: Yucca looms as political wild card in Heller race
The Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site has played a role in Nevada politics for years, but many voters may not care whether candidates support or oppose it. → Read More
ENERGY MARKETS: Perry's warning aside, FERC staff sees no winter grid threat
This winter will likely bring few major risks to energy markets, with predicted warm weather meaning moderate demand for fuel and electricity, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staffers said today in a report challenging the accelerated timeline for a grid rule proposed by the Department of Energy. → Read More
DOE: Hot topics from Perry hearing, from 'poo-poo' to Drudge
Energy Secretary Rick Perry's three-hour appearance on Capitol Hill yesterday was filled with testy exchanges and gaffes, along with debate about the country's energy priorities. → Read More
POLITICS: Storms shouldn't halt Trump deregulation efforts — API chief
The head of the country's largest fossil fuel trade association today said the recent onslaught of hurricanes should not impede the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda and endorsed "transparent" debate on climate policy. → Read More