SOLAR: Another major solar company is taking operations— and hundreds of jobs — out of Nevada after the state made changes to net metering policies. Earlier this week, its rival company announced more than 500 jobs would be leaving. (Reuters)
ALSO:
• A proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution backed by utilities that effectively blocks rooftop solar appears to have enough signatures to get on the November ballot. (Utility Dive)
• While community solar appears to have widespread support, experts are unclear about the model’s future. (Utility Dive)
• Analysts now see strong industry growth into the 2020s with the extension of federal tax credits. (Utility Dive)
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CLIMATE:
• EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy says 2016 “is not an opportunity to relax,” adding that the administration seeks to lock in more climate efforts this year. (Washington Post)
• Recent reports suggest Ohio may be ill-prepared for dealing with climate change impacts. (Midwest Energy News)
COAL:
• The amount of coal generation in the Southwest Power Pool has dropped 10 percent in the past two years, displaced largely by wind and natural gas. (Utility Dive)
• Exports from Virginia dropped 34.8 percent from 2014 and are at the lowest point since 2007 due to declining prices. (Platts)
• Coal companies ask a court to block implementation of miners’ protections against respirable coal dust. (SNL)
CLEAN POWER PLAN: The EPA is confident that the landmark federal rules will withstand a legal challenge. (The Hill)
POLITICS: Experts say New Hampshire voters are more likely than ever to select a presidential candidate who believes climate change is a hoax. (ClimateWire)
HYDRO: Major hydroelectric dams are being built in developing countries with little consideration for the climate and biodiversity impacts. (Climate Central)
FRACKING:
• With two of the largest earthquakes in recent years happening in Oklahoma this week, experts are concerned it’s a sign of larger ones to come. (New York Times)
• Members of the U.S. EPA’s Science Advisory Board are raising questions about a department report on fracking from last year, calling its findings ambiguous and in need of clarification. (Bloomberg)
TRANSMISSION: Vermont regulators approve siting for a new $1.2 billion transmission line to bring wind and hydroelectric power from Canada to the Northeast. (Greentech Media)
BIOFUELS: The U.S. Navy is set to launch a fleet of ships that will be supported by more than 77 million gallons of a non-food biofuel blend. (Biofuels Digest)
KEYSTONE XL: Legal experts say TransCanada may have a decent chance at winning one or both lawsuits against the Obama administration for rejecting the Keystone XL project. (Greenwire)
METHANE:
• The methane leak from a natural gas storage site in California has so far cost the utility $50 million. (Associated Press)
• ConocoPhillips has made major reductions in methane emissions in New Mexico in recent years even as production continued to climb. (EnergyWire)
NUCLEAR: Wisconsin lawmakers are expected to vote on a bill next week to lift the state’s moratorium on new nuclear plants. (Associated Press)
RENEWABLES: There is consensus within the wind and solar industries that further tax-credit extensions are unlikely after the current ones are phased out. (Forbes)
BIOMASS: Maine’s logging industry is concerned that up to 2,500 jobs could be lost after a company announces two biomass plants will close in March. (Portland Press Herald)
CORRECTION: An item in Tuesday’s digest misstated the year a coalition aims to eliminate the sale of gasoline cars. The year is 2050, not 2015.