NATURAL GAS:
• Los Angeles County files criminal charges against the utility responsible for an ongoing natural gas leak. (Los Angeles Times)
• Crews are drilling relief wells to help stop the leak. (Reuters)
• Federal regulators urge operators of natural gas storage sites to step up efforts to prevent leaks. (Reuters)
CLEAN POWER PLAN: Analysts say the Supreme Court’s decision backing FERC on demand response bodes well for the EPA. (Bloomberg BNA)
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COAL:
• A federal regulator raises concerns that financial troubles for the coal industry could result in lax oversight of worker safety. (Moneywatch)
• A Mississippi utility announces further delays and cost overruns for a $6 billion coal gasification plant. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• A Kentucky startup is helping “high-tech hillbillies” transition from coal mining to software development. (Bloomberg Business)
• In an interview, coal CEO Bob Murray explains what motivates him to keep fighting for his industry. (SNL Energy)
SOLAR:
• A Nevada utility poses options to regulators for grandfathering existing solar customers from new net metering rules. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• Solar advocates are pushing for an amendment to a federal energy bill that would let states prohibit utilities from retroactively penalizing solar customers. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• Nevada’s net metering changes are scaring off investors. (Investor’s Business Daily)
• Despite setbacks in Nevada, SunRun’s CEO has an optimistic long-term outlook. (Fast Company)
• Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announces a $15 million plan to promote solar and renewable heating systems for low income households. (Lowell Sun)
WIND:
• Officials in a New York county advance a controversial wind farm that has been ten years in development. (Ithaca Voice)
• Wind opponents in Maine resent having their state used to develop generation to replace shuttered power plants. (Portland Press Herald)
OIL AND GAS: Environmental groups challenge EPA provisions that they say will weaken restrictions on refinery emissions. (Torrance Daily Breeze)
FRACKING:
• A new study finds wastewater disposal sites are disproportionately in poor and minority communities. (Environmental Health News)
• Two injection well operators have filed a lawsuit challenging a West Virginia county’s disposal ban. (Beckley Register-Herald)
• A Pennsylvania company is marketing a filtration system to clean up fracking wastewater. (WESA)
NUCLEAR: Georgia Power’s parent company signals more nuclear reactors “will be a dominant solution” for new generation. (EnergyWire)
TRANSMISSION: A settlement between a Texas town and an electric co-op calls for burying a new transmission line after residents raised concerns about aesthetics. (Dallas Morning News)
GEOTHERMAL: A New Jersey family’s geothermal heating system also keeps their driveway clear of snow and ice. (Greenwich Daily Voice)
WILDLIFE: An accidental cold-water discharge from a Pennsylvania power plant kills more than a thousand fish. (PennLive)
COMMENTARY: How the Clean Power Plan can benefit low-income communities. (NRDC Switchboard)