U.S. Energy News

Would fracking ban doom Democrats in key battleground state?

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OIL & GAS: Some Pennsylvania Democrats worry that presidential candidates’ pledges to ban fracking could jeopardize the party’s chances of winning the battleground state. (New York Times)

ALSO:
• An analysis finds 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives or their spouses own fossil fuel company stocks or mutual funds. (Sludge)
• A prominent medical journal urges health workers and associations to divest from fossil fuels, citing the public health threat from climate change. (E&E News)

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U.S. Energy News

Climate inaction taking a toll in the Southeast

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CLIMATE: The Southeast is facing major impacts from climate change, but utilities and cities have been slow to adopt clean energy or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (InsideClimate News)

ALSO: Hundreds of Amazon employees risk their jobs to publicly criticize the company’s record on climate change. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, compr#ehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking. Register for free Expo Hall access.***

TRANSPORTATION: Several Northeast governors are reluctant to join a regional initiative to cap tailpipe emissions, citing its impact on gasoline prices; supporters say those fears are overblown.

U.S. Energy News

Cities trying to fill the void left by federal climate inaction

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CLIMATE: U.S. mayors lament the weakening of federal climate policies at a time when their cities face increasing damages related to climate change. (E&E News)

ALSO:
• Billionaire George Soros says he will commit $1 billion to start a global university to fight authoritarianism and climate change. (Bloomberg)
• While Ninth Circuit judges dismissed a climate lawsuit raised by 21 youth against the government, their ruling contains warnings that we are “approaching the point of no return” on climate change. (The Conversation)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, compr#ehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking.

U.S. Energy News

Power plants face increasing weather risks from climate change

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POWER PLANTS:
• Power plants will be increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat, water shortages, flooding, and hurricanes, according to a new Moody’s report. (Utility Dive)
• An effort to repeal Ohio’s bailout for nuclear and coal plants is dead after organizers drop their court appeals. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

OVERSIGHT: North Carolina’s Democratic governor has reshaped the state’s utility commission in advance of several key decisions. (Energy News Network)

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U.S. Energy News

FERC faces flood of rehearing requests over pricing rule

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GRID: A new FERC rule aimed at leveling the playing field in PJM capacity auctions has major implications for Ohio, where the change could add to ratepayer costs for the state’s coal and nuclear subsidies. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• PJM is among the parties requesting a rehearing on FERC’s Minimum Offer Price Rule, which critics say would freeze renewable development in the region. (E&E News, subscription)
• FERC’s ruling could increase the average ComEd customer’s bill by about $5 a month, giving new urgency to advocates’ push for a 100% renewable energy bill in Illinois. (Chicago Tribune) 

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, comprehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking.