[SMM Flash News] US Eases Venezuela Sanctions Following Deadly Earthquakes

TotalEnergies will submit an expanded climate vigilance plan after a Paris court ruled on June 25 that the company must better address climate risks associated with its Scope 3 emissions. The French energy major has six months to revise its plan, outlining measures to reduce end-use emissions from its products. TotalEnergies said it welcomes the ruling and will incorporate additional information from its sustainability report, noting it had already reduced the carbon intensity of its energy products by 18% from 2015 levels by the end of 2025 and continues to target a 25% reduction by 2030.

The US Department of Energy has committed a total of US$600 million to modernize 18 coal-fired power plants under the Trump administration, including US$425 million announced on June 4 under the Defense Production Act and a previously allocated US$175 million. The funding aims to extend plant lifespans and strengthen baseload power supply amid rising electricity demand. While utilities expect short-term outages during upgrade work, the projects are anticipated to support higher long-term coal utilization, prompting some buyers to secure coal supply contracts through 2029 and beyond.

Kyrgyzstan has imposed a six-month ban on coal exports by road effective June 23, covering coal classified under HS codes 2701 and 2702. The restriction excludes shipments through the Irkeshtam and Torugart border crossings to China, while state-owned producer Kyrgyzkomur is also exempt. The move comes as Kyrgyzstan seeks to strengthen domestic coal supply and expand coal-fired power generation. The country aims to produce nearly 1.62 million mt of thermal coal from the Kara-Keche mine in 2026 to reduce reliance on imported electricity.