In New Hampshire, the Sugar Hill Historical Museum is now collecting items like these signs, as well as t-shirts and bumper stickers, for a new exhibit called the “Northern Pass Opposition Archives.”
Western Energy News
Companies drop bid to buy struggling Arizona coal plant
COAL: The two companies considering buying the West’s largest coal plant have dropped their bid to acquire the Arizona facility, which will close next year unless another buyer emerges. (Associated Press)
ALSO: A Montana coal plant is up and running again after air quality problems forced it to shut down two units in July. (KTVQ)
***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot for the EVs & the Grid Workshop, October 10-12 in West Hollywood, California. See the showcase of all public and private programs and initiatives that are enabling electrification. Government, utilities, and environmental advocates will guide property developers and fleet owners.***
CLIMATE: Law firms in California and Washington that have defended oil companies over climate change damages are among nine firms that have pledged to work on climate issues for free, raising some suspicions at a recent climate summit.
U.S. Energy News
Coal plants face more uncertainty, retirements
COAL: The two companies considering buying the West’s largest coal plant drop their bid to acquire the Arizona facility, which will close next year unless another buyer emerges. (Associated Press)
ALSO:
• Recent announcements by utilities in Ohio and Indiana to retire coal plants and add renewables “highlight the change underfoot in the heartland.” (E&E News, subscription)
• Residents in northwest Indiana highlight coal plants’ impacts on low-income and minority communities. (Chicago Crusader)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join 500+ attendees for REVitalize: Transforming Energy Further, Fast, Together with keynote speakers Katherine Hamilton, chair of 38 North Solutions, and Gordon Van Welie, president and CEO of ISO New England, October 18-19 in Burlington, Vermont.***
HURRICANE FLORENCE:
• Floodwaters inundate a lake at a Duke Energy coal-fired power plant, prompting an emergency alert and concerns about a breach. (Associated Press)
• North Carolina’s solar farms only had minimal storm damage while other parts of the state’s electricity system failed. (InsideClimate News)
• Duke Energy confirms a coal ash spill near Goldsboro, North Carolina, where environmental groups say coal ash is washing into a river.
Midwest Energy News
Minnesota regulators approve 200 MW wind project
SOLAR: Indiana consumer advocates are divided over Vectren’s plan for a $76 million, 50 MW solar project, as some argue the state can’t wait for clean energy. (Energy News Network)
ALSO:
• Students at a Chicago-area high school generate excitement for solar energy: “It’s the future.” (Daily Southtown)
• The Illinois Solar Tour this weekend features nearly 150 homes in an effort to encourage solar adoption. (Aurora Beacon-News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot at the Michigan Energy Innovators Gala featuring guest speaker and Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck on November 14 in East Lansing. Network with Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, business leaders, policy makers, and award winners!***
WIND:
• State regulators unanimously approve a 200 MW wind project in southern Minnesota despite pushback from residents over noise. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• A southern Michigan township struggles with adopting local wind zoning rules as a utility signs leases for a potential project.
Northeast Energy News
New England grid operator says new power plant not needed
POWER PLANTS: New England’s grid operator will tell FERC it “does not need and does not want” a controversial 1,000 MW natural gas and diesel power plant proposed in northwest Rhode Island, effectively canceling its electricity supply commitment with developer Invenergy. (ecoRI, Uprise RI)
ALSO: At least eight New Jersey towns pass resolutions opposing a proposed 1,200 MW gas-fired power plant that would provide energy to Manhattan, saying it would be “one of the largest sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey.” (North Jersey Record)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join 500+ attendees for REVitalize: Transforming Energy Further, Fast, Together with keynote speakers Katherine Hamilton, chair of 38 North Solutions, and Gordon Van Welie, president and CEO of ISO New England, October 18-19 in Burlington, Vermont.***
SOLAR:
• A coalition of solar energy advocates sues Maine’s Public Utilities Commission over new state rules that reduce net metering incentives. (Bangor Daily News)
• A coalition of solar industry groups asks Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to launch a solar development incentive program that has been under review for months, saying a lack of clarity on the issue is hurting the industry. (The Republican)
• Solar power sells for more on Long Island than anywhere else in the continental U.S., largely due to high wholesale power prices in New York City and limited exports to the island, according to a new report.
Southeast Energy News
Flooding causes emergency at N.C. coal plant; solar remains unscathed
HURRICANE FLORENCE: Floodwaters inundate a lake at a Duke Energy coal-fired power plant, raising concerns about a breach and leading to a high-level emergency alert. (Associated Press)
MORE:
• North Carolina’s solar farms only had minimal damage from Hurricane Florence while other parts of the electricity system failed. (InsideClimate News)
• Duke Energy confirms a coal ash spill at a site near Goldsboro, North Carolina, where environmental groups say coal ash is washing into a nearby river. (News & Observer)
• As South Carolina floodwaters rise, Santee Cooper rushes to prevent 200,000 tons of coal ash from spilling into the Waccamaw River by installing an inflatable dam. (My Horry News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Don’t miss your opportunity to connect with environmental & sustainability professionals at the PGS International Workshop for Global Sustainability, October 23-26 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.