The administration of President Joe Biden announced Thursday that it wanted to put an end to new coal concessions in the American region which produces the most, drawing the wrath of the mining sector and the praise of environmentalists.
The announcement is part of the Democrat’s energy policy, which is pushing for the United States to turn away from coal, a major emitter of CO2.
Coal production on American soil has already decreased by more than 25% since 2017, due to competition with the lower prices of natural gas and renewable energies.
Joe Biden’s government has also announced that it will impose, from 2032, strict new rules on coal-fired power plants, requiring an almost total elimination of CO2 emissions from those planning to remain in operation for a long time, thanks to carbon capture. . If they don’t succeed, they will have to close their doors.
The measure to put an end to new concessions concerns a region stretching from Montana to Wyoming, in the northern United States, where almost half of American coal is produced. Current concessions are not affected by the measure.
It is “a colossal decision that will save lives, preserve our environment and significantly reduce carbon emissions in the United States,” said Drew Caputo, president of the Earthjustice organization.
“For years, environmental groups have advocated for this, arguing that the federal government cannot simply lease our public lands to mining companies while ignoring the public health consequences,” he said. -he adds.
Rich Nolan, president of the National Mining Association, a mining industry lobby, criticized a “scandalous” measure that “harms American energy security” and “deals a significant economic blow to mining states and their communities”.
The November presidential election will see, barring any surprises, Joe Biden once again face Republican Donald Trump, in a face-to-face match that promises to be close. To gain the advantage, the Democrat is counting in particular on his climate action in order to mobilize young voters against his climate skeptic opponent.
