COAL: Sen. Mitch McConnell says an extension of miner’s health benefits will be included in a short-term government funding bill, but some Democrats say it’s not enough. (Associated Press)
POLITICS: Democrats in Congress move to divide President-elect Trump from the Republican Party over coal miner’s benefits. (TIME)
***SPONSORED LINK: Webinar Dec 13th, 1-2:15PM ET : Join the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and the Union for Concerned Scientist for webinar titled “What’s Next for Electric Vehicles?” Register here.***
NORTH CAROLINA: What might the energy industry expect under Roy Cooper once he takes office as the next governor on Jan. 1? (Southeast Energy News)
WEST VIRGINIA: While some voters are thrilled with the ascendancy of President-elect Trump, others are skeptical of his ability to resuscitate the coal industry. (Washington Post)
NUCLEAR:
• Dept. of Energy officials signal a decision soon on whether some radioactive waste from power plants and military operations may shift from South Carolina to a new repository. (Aiken Standard)
• Critics assert ratepayers are getting stuck with cost overruns for two new reactors at Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: John Deere unveils a prototype for zero-emission farm tractors. (Electrek)
PIPELINES:
• Companies developing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline begin a road show to promote the benefits of increased natural gas supply to regions along its proposed route. (Triangle Business Journal)
• Mountaineer Gas in West Virginia moves to address concerns about its plan for a new pipeline in the state’s Panhandle. (West Virginia Metro News)
• A second worker dies of injuries suffered at the Oct. 31 Colonial Pipeline explosion in Alabama. (WBMA)
COAL ASH: Mississippi regulators delay a vote on coal ash disposal, questioning how rules might change under President-elect Trump. (Associated Press)
POLICY:
• Advisers to President-elect Trump are said to be pushing for the eventual elimination of all energy subsidies. (PV Magazine)
• West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, mentioned as a possible candidate to head the Dept. of Energy or become Secretary of State, reportedly is to meet for in-depth talks with President-elect Trump this week. (Weirton Daily Times)
TECHNOLOGY: Tennessee launches a program to mentor advanced energy startups. (Knoxville News Sentinel)
GRID: Challenges over coordination of power flows in the MISO grid prompt a call for penalties. (Utility Dive/Platts)
SOLAR: The University of Virginia and Dominion Virginia Power unveil two rooftop systems to broaden awareness of renewable energy. (UVA Today)
NATURAL GAS: Two energy trading platforms reportedly aim to launch futures contracts underpinned by exports of liquefied natural gas from terminals in Louisiana. (Wall Street Journal)
EFFICIENCY: The University of Georgia is on track to reduce energy consumption 25 percent by 2020. (Athens Banner-Herald)
COMMENTARY:
• Is Sen. Mitch McConnell a friend of miners or coal companies? We’re about to find out. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
• Trump made a cruel promise to bring back jobs in coal country. (Newsweek)
• West Virginia’s senators need to press hard to help retired coal miners and communities devastated by its decline. (The Exponent Telegram)
• Rural eastern North Carolina deserves the natural gas that can be supplied by the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. (Raleigh News & Observer)