Using his 202c authority under the Federal Power Act, Energy Secretary Chris Wright yesterday extended his order to keep the JH Campbell coal plant in Michigan running past its planned closure to ensure the reliability of the grid in the region.
Although few journalists have chosen to report on the facts, the plant—which would have been offline if it weren't for the Department of Energy's emergency actions in May—came to the rescue multiple times this summer when the MISO grid reached its limits, demand was higher than planned and the lack of wind meant renewables were not able to provide the hoped-for generation.
In extending the order. Sec. Wright said, "The United States continues to face an energy emergency, with some regions experiencing more capacity constraints than others. With electricity demand increasing, we must put an end to the dangerous energy subtraction policies embraced by politicians for too long."
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to reallocate at least $2 billion from the CHIPS Act to fund critical minerals projects, taking funds already allocated by Congress for semiconductor research and chip factory construction to avoid a new spending request as it seeks to reduce U.S. dependence on China. The move would also boost the influence that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has over the nation's critical minerals strategy.
And, finally, the US Defense Department is seeking to buy cobalt for its strategic stockpiles for the first time in decades. In a contract worth up to $500 million, the Defense Logistics Agency is seeking offers for up to 7,500 tons of cobalt over the next five years, according to documents published this week. It's the first time the DLA has sought to buy cobalt since 1990. While cobalt is best known for its use in batteries, it's also used in a wide range of military applications from munitions and jet engines to aircraft landing gear and flight controls.
That's your mining minute for this morning, highlighting some of the mining-related matters that are on our minds here in Washington and beyond.
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