WIND: Three North Carolina Republicans are sponsoring a bill to streamline wind energy development, challenging an effort by others in their party to impose further restrictions. (Southeast Energy News)
EMISSIONS: The mayor of Richmond wants to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 through energy use and alternative energy sources, among other actions. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
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PIPELINES:
• The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is investigating a natural-gas pipeline project for possible environmental violations after property owners filed complaints. (Newnan Times-Herald)
• The Forest Service has approved Atlantic Coast Pipeline developers’ plans to tunnel through the Blue Ridge Mountains rather than trying to a cross scenic parkway and hiking trail, which faced opposition. (Bay Journal)
ENERGY: Energy Secretary Rick Perry has ordered a review of renewable energy policies, citing concerns about the “erosion” of “baseload power.” (Bloomberg)
CLIMATE: Some Virginia Republicans are speaking out about climate change, but they remain a minority in their party. (WVTF)
OIL: Scientists in Florida are raising fish and exposing them to oil to study the impact of massive spills, such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. (WBUR)
SOLAR: Gov. Terry McAuliffe will inaugurate solar panels recently added to the University of Virginia’s library. (press release)
COMMENTARY:
• A retired Kentucky coal miner says “we know that coal isn’t coming back,” so the president and congress should foster new opportunities in coal towns. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
• The Appalachian Regional Commission that bolsters small towns with federal funds faces cuts under the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts, giving Democrats a chance to “win back” the region. (New Republic)