PIPELINES: West Virginia inspectors found more water pollution violations on portions of the Rover Pipeline, weeks after construction had been ordered to stop for violations elsewhere. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
ALSO:
• State lawmakers, affected residents and environmental groups are increasing their pressure on Virginia regulatory bodies to slow or reconsider water quality certifications for the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipeline projects. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• A crowd booed Virginia’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam when he suggested the proposed Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines could move forward pending regulatory approval. (Fairfax County Times)
• Central Florida residents are reporting natural gas leaks from the newly operational Sabal Trail pipeline. (WFSU)
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POLICY: Conservative groups are concerned President Trump will “expand the subsidy pool even further” for the coal and nuclear industries. (E&E News)
COAL ASH: A lawsuit over claims of coal ash pollution from a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant run is now in federal court. (Associated Press)
NUCLEAR: The South Carolina House and Senate special committees that were formed to examine the abandonment of the Summer nuclear project will begin meeting this week. (The State)
OFFSHORE DRILLING:
• The governors of East Coast states, including Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, who reversed his support, are continuing their strong opposition to keep federal Atlantic waters out of the Trump administration’s proposed oil and natural gas leasing plan. (Platts)
• The public comment period has ended for opening offshore oil and gas exploration along the country’s Atlantic Coast and the collective opposition may pose problems for the Trump administration. (Oilprice.com)
COAL: Although President Trump says his repeal of some environmental regulations are responsible for the recent uptick the coal industry, analysts say it has more to do with the international market and this is not the start of a second coal heyday. (Roanoke Times)
FRACKING: A leadership change in the Florida Senate could mean a statewide fracking ban, which stalled during lawmakers’ last session, is revisited. (WUSF)
SOLAR:
• Mississippi Power Co. intends to buy all power from a $100 million solar farm that will be built in eastern Mississippi. (Associated Press)
• A new poll commissioned by solar industry groups says South Carolina voters would like the state to rely more on solar energy than sources like coal and nuclear power. (Solar Industry Magazine)
OVERSIGHT: Florida state lawmakers who fill seats on the state’s Public Service Commission have received thousands of dollars in campaign donations from power companies. (Miami New Times)
WIND: One of the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturers is expanding its Little Rock, Arkansas, operations for the second time in less than a year. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
COMMENTARY:
• An attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center says today’s eclipse is a reminder of the growing promise of solar energy. (Southeast Energy News)
• While South Carolina ratepayers will foot the bill for years to come for the state’s failed nuclear power project, a columnist says a large stock buyback will help shareholders and bolster executive bonuses. (Post and Courier)
• The city of Orlando’s intent to meet 100 percent of its power needs through renewable energy by 2050 comes on the heels of new climate change evidence, but many other lawmakers lack of action to fight it. (Orlando Sentinel)
• An editorial board praises how Virginia’s coal country legislators have “championed a revolutionary proposal” to use abandoned coal mines as pumped hydro facilities to store clean energy. (Roanoke Times)
• West Virginia may not maximize the full economic impact that a 100-year supply of natural gas provides because of its non-competitive drilling laws. (Exponent Telegram)
• A guest columnist explains how nuclear power opponents can increase the ultimate cost of a nuclear station via a law in South Carolina. (The State)
• Lawmakers who deny the physical evidence and economic consequences of climate change are committing “political malpractice.” (Times-Picayune)