** Coal company gets coronavirus loan
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Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Coal mine, U.S. Forest Service ([link removed])

Hallador Energy Co., a coal company based in Indiana, received $10 million ([link removed]) from the loan program meant to help small businesses weather the devastating economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. As thousands of traditional small businesses go without aid since the loan program was quickly overwhelmed, Hallador, and some other large corporations including oil and gas companies and restaurant chains, have taken millions out of the program. The company has over 700 employees, far more than the eligibility cap for small business loans. Hallador Energy's connections to the Trump administration have raised eyebrows. Last year, it hired ([link removed]) former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt as a lobbyist, and the former government relations director now works
([link removed]) in Trump's energy department.

Over the past few years, the company has been shrinking, impacted by coal's market decline as cheaper energy sources replace it. Despite the Trump administration's promises to revive the coal industry, Hallador had to shut down one of its four mines last year. The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating this trend ([link removed]) , as declining demand for coal is combined with decreased energy use throughout the country.


** Happy Earth Day!
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Started on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day demonstrated a shift in America's awareness of environmental issues. To celebrate and reflect on the 50th annual Earth Day, we recorded a podcast with Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation. Listen here ([link removed]) or read highlights from the conversation on Westwise ([link removed]) .
Quick hits


** Mustafa Santiago Ali on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and environmental justice in the time of the coronavirus
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Westwise ([link removed])


** White House gets ready to slash regulations as part of coronavirus recovery plan
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Coal company with ties to former EPA head among loan recipients
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | NPR ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Oil price crash poised to bust shale, energy dominance
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Bloomberg ([link removed])


** Border wall construction affects tribes, wildlife, and protected public land
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High Country News ([link removed])


** Climate warming will hit Colorado River Basin farmers hardest
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** Opinion: Trump administration's extensive oil ties propel corporate bailouts
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Houston Chronicle ([link removed])


** Opinion: On Earth Day, let's consider the health of our planet and Colorado
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Challenges bring out the best (hopefully) in most folks. There were huge, million plus people rallies that were planned and now folks have taken those online. It’s exciting! I can’t wait until Earth Day because there are so many artists and entertainers who are going to be a part of helping to bring people together, helping to motivate folks, helping to get people connected in a number of different ways…it’s amazing seeing how quickly people were able to shift or pivot and get these pieces in place. I think that you will see that this is also building bridges between communities and organizations who maybe hadn’t traditionally been as connected.”
—Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation, Westwise ([link removed])
Picture this


**
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New York Times cover from the first Earth Day fifty years ago, U.S. Department of Energy ([link removed])

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