SOLAR: A bill in North Carolina to establish competitive bids for solar projects and encourage new development has backing from both Duke Energy and clean energy advocates, and was approved by the House Wednesday. (Charlotte Business Journal, Green Tech Lead)
ALSO:
• North Carolina’s solar reform bill would revive and grow a Duke Energy Carolinas program to connect large-scale power users to clean energy resources. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• A North Carolina appeals court has ruled in favor of building and operating a solar farm, saying the county was wrong to deny FLS Energy the permit. (Progressive Pulse)
EFFICIENCY: Software developed by a Virginia Tech team that cuts energy use by small and medium-sized commercial buildings is filling an important niche in building efficiency. (Southeast Energy News)
PIPELINES:
• Opponents of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project have filed a lawsuit against Virginia’s DEQ over its water-quality permitting decision. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Three Virginia lawmakers plan to introduce legislation that improves how FERC reviews the state’s natural gas transmission pipelines and collects public input. (Roanoke Times)
CLIMATE CHANGE:
• A study that surveyed science teachers in Florida and Puerto Rico to determine their knowledge about climate change shows misconceptions are common. (phys.org)
• The U.S. exit from the Paris climate accord is an issue in the Virginia gubernatorial race, with Republican candidates supporting the move as President Trump becomes increasing unpopular in the state. (Virginian-Pilot)
• President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris agreement could accelerate damage to his real estate, in particular his properties in South Florida. (Associated Press)
EMISSIONS: The EPA is delaying deadlines for states to further limit smog, which drew praise from a West Virginia lawmaker although the state already meets the requirements. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
OIL & GAS:
• Oil companies are paying to protect Louisiana’s coast, which is a billion-dollar asset for them. (Nashville Public Radio)
• Energy companies say President Trump should not overturn the federal law that shares oil and gas revenue from the Gulf of Mexico with coastal states. (Times-Picayune)
COMMENTARY:
• A columnist says looking at West Virginia, coal mining really matters – in coal country. (Bloomberg)
• It will be up to Florida’s municipal governments to fight climate change in the wake of President Trump’s exit from the Paris accord, says a guest columnist. (Orlando Sentinel)