COAL: Even after the Kemper “clean coal” plant in Mississippi begins operations, prudency hearings will determine the cost to ratepayers of Mississippi Power. (Mississippi Today)
ALSO:
• Donald Trump’s in Sunday night’s debate that coal could last 1,000 years far exceeds government estimates and harbors minimal potential benefit for Appalachian mines. (Louisville Courier-Journal)
• Claiming risks of terrorism and earthquakes, a Kentucky lawmaker asks the TVA to reconsider closing two coal-fired generators. (Madisonville Messenger)
SOLAR:
• A representative of the utility-backed solar Amendment 1 in Florida says rates could rise if too many Floridians generate all of their own power. (WGCU Public Radio)
• A builder in Florida begins offering a rooftop solar system backed by a 30-year warranty as an optional feature on new homes. (Builder)
• Principals behind a solar project on Virginia’s Delmarva Peninsula aim to clarify their plans for a large solar farm at a public hearing Wednesday night. (Delmarva Now)
• A Louisiana couple alleges solar companies falsely advertise the money their solar systems can save off utility bills. (Louisiana Record)
POLITICS: North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr is among the priority targets as spending nationally by green groups is expected to exceed $100 million this election cycle. (The Washington Post)
FRACKING: A new ban on fracking in Miami-Dade County is expected to stand even if state lawmakers authorize drilling. (WLRN Public Radio)
NUCLEAR: Scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee are trying to simulate reactors on a computer to determine their useful lives. (Nashville Public Radio)
PIPELINES:
• Columbia Gas petitions the National Park Service to build a gas pipeline under a canal and the Potomac River across eastern West Virginia. (Morgan County USA)
• Opponents in Virginia schedule a forum about the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline for Wednesday night at Roanoke College. (The Roanoke Times)
UTILITIES: Duke Energy agrees to sell most of its international assets to a Chinese company to focus more on its regulated power business. (Charlotte Business Journal)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Sarasota, Florida officials share how cities can lead in building out their EV-charging infrastructure. (Clean Technica)
• The National Drive Electric Week last month coordinated 235 events in 212 cities and 46 states including Georgia and North Carolina. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)
COMMENTARY:
• The tax break limiting carbon emissions from “clean coal” plants should be lifted by Congress. (The Exponent Telegram)
• Despite its name, there are no consumer protections in Florida’s solar Amendment 1. (Forbes)
• Many questions remain unanswered by North Carolina officials over health risks to water contaminated by coal ash ponds. (Progressive Pulse)
• North Carolina’s leaders need to think hard about how to mitigate damage from hurricanes and other impacts of global warming. (Fayetteville Observer)