NATURAL GAS: A bipartisan group of Appalachian lawmakers urge the Trump administration to preserve a loan program they say is needed for a proposed $10 billion natural gas storage hub. (Bloomberg)
POLITICS:
• The development of North Carolina’s energy bill highlights the political challenges facing the emerging conservative climate movement. (InsideClimate News)
• President Donald Trump spoke at the national Boy Scouts jamboree in West Virginia on Monday, saying his administration is on track to make the U.S. an energy exporter, though a West Virginia University report shows the rebound is mostly due to global demand. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)
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COAL ASH: The Sierra Club said Georgia Power’s plans to close 29 ponds that hold coal ash by dumping wastewater into the state’s rivers and lakes violates the federal clean water law and is planning a lawsuit against the utility. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
NUCLEAR: There were warnings about the potential for delays and cost increases prior to the start of the Vogtle nuclear plant expansion, transcripts from hearings show. (E&E News)
SOLAR:
Solar companies worry about the impact of a trade case brought by Georgia-based Suniva, as conservative groups line up to oppose tariffs on imported panels. (Reuters, Greentech Media)
• South Miami’s mayor talks about the city’s recently passed ordinance that mandates solar panel installation on newly constructed homes. (WRLN)
• With the recent addition of a second site, solar energy is estimated to provide 20 percent of the University of Virginia’s electric consumption, furthering the school’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. (WVTF)
OIL: The largest privately owned crude terminal in the U.S. is pursuing contracts to begin exporting oil from its Louisiana port. (Reuters)
UTILITIES: Florida Power & Light is completing a large 14-year upgrade to strengthen the power grid and improve service and reliability to prepare for severe weather. (Herald-Tribune)
COMMENTARY:
• A West Virginia newspaper editorial applauds the all-but-final approval for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project, saying it offers “greater access to clean-burning, affordable energy,” among other benefits. (Charleston Daily-Gazette)
• Two oil and gas officials in West Virginia say protecting the environment is a top priority for their industry. (Charleston Daily-Gazette)