Southeast Energy News

Dominion Energy executive: ‘We will … get to a 100% carbon-free grid’

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UTILITIES: A vice president at Dominion Energy talks about the utility’s plans to decarbonize and modernize the grid and lessons it has learned about renewables and energy efficiency. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Virginia environmental justice groups protest Dominion Energy’s involvement in a NAACP conference because of the company’s efforts to build an Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor station in a historic black community. (Richmond Free Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) has convened hundreds of installers, developers, policymakers, and financiers for the 12th annual Solar Focus Conference. Held in Baltimore on November 20-21, attendees will experience high-level networking, partnership building, and action-inspiring solar discourse. Register today!***

OIL & GAS:
• In New Orleans and across the country, utilities are investing billions in new natural gas plants instead of renewables — and environmentalists and some states are fighting to stop them.

Southeast Energy News

Will Virginia Democrats confront Dominion’s influence?

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POWER: With full control of state government, Virginia Democrats will have an opportunity to confront Dominion Energy over its electricity monopoly and influence on energy policy in the state. (The Intercept)

COAL:
• Sen. Mitch McConnell and both senators from West Virginia introduce legislation that could help protect pensions and health care benefits for retired coal miners. (Lexington Herald Leader)
• Despite Murray Energy’s bankruptcy and his own illness, Bob Murray continues to publicly voice support for propping up the coal industry. (NPR)
• A mining company with worksites in Eastern Kentucky plans to lay off at least 150 people at the beginning of 2020. (WYMT)

***SPONSORED LINK: MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) has convened hundreds of installers, developers, policymakers, and financiers for the 12th annual Solar Focus Conference.

Southeast Energy News

Florida regulators reject utilities’ proposed energy efficiency cuts

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UTILITIES: Florida regulators reject utilities’ plans to slash energy efficiency programs but will allow them to begin a process of charging customers for storm preparedness efforts like burying power lines. (Tampa Bay Times) 

ELECTIONS:
• Democrats take control of Virginia’s legislature, paving the way for the state to join a cap-and-trade program and boost renewable energy. (E&E News, subscription)
• Knoxville, Tennessee, elects a new mayor, Indya Kincannon, who ran on a platform about clean energy and climate change. (WATE)

***SPONSORED LINK: MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) has convened hundreds of installers, developers, policymakers, and financiers for the 12th annual Solar Focus Conference. Held in Baltimore on November 20-21, attendees will experience high-level networking, partnership building, and action-inspiring solar discourse.

Southeast Energy News

Dominion and pork producer double down on manure-to-energy projects

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BIOGAS: Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods say they will invest half a billion dollars into projects that turn animal waste into energy in North Carolina, Virginia and Utah. (Daily Press)

SOLAR:
• Recent reforms in Virginia created a transparent regulatory process that puts rural communities in control of permitting decisions and encourages solar projects. (Energy News Network)
• After a successful pilot project, Entergy plans to build a larger solar farm in east New Orleans. (Very Local New Orleans)

***SPONSORED LINK: MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) has convened hundreds of installers, developers, policymakers, and financiers for the 12th annual Solar Focus Conference. Held in Baltimore on November 20-21, attendees will experience high-level networking, partnership building, and action-inspiring solar discourse.

Southeast Energy News

Dominion Energy wants customers to pay for offshore wind farm

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WIND: Dominion Energy plans to develop the nation’s largest proposed offshore wind farm without the help of private investors and seek to recover the full cost of the $8 billion project from ratepayers. (Virginia Mercury)

SOLAR:
• Henderson, Kentucky, officials review two dozen proposals to build a solar project after a coal plant shut down in the area. (WFPL)
• Solar panels at Key West, Florida’s city hall save the local government $1,100 a month. (Keys Weekly)
• Dominion Energy plans to invest $330 million in a solar farm and a power plant in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. (News & Advance)

***SPONSORED LINK: MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) has convened hundreds of installers, developers, policymakers, and financiers for the 12th annual Solar Focus Conference.