UTILITIES: At a shareholder meeting, Duke Energy’s CEO defends the utility’s use of natural gas, saying the fuel is “under assault” and necessary to use alongside renewables. (WFAE)
ALSO:
• About 15% of Florida households may not be able to pay their utility bills during the pandemic, according to a survey by nonprofit Vote Solar. (WPTV)
• Texas regulators approve new rules for electricity brokers that let energy companies refuse to sell plans to customers of deal-finding sites. (Houston Chronicle)
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PIPELINES: An Oklahoma pipeline operator will build an underwater pipeline to move natural gas from an offshore project in the Gulf of Mexico. (Houston Chronicle)
OIL & GAS:
• A Louisiana Senate committee approves legislation that would kill lawsuits filed against oil companies by parish governments over the loss of coastal wetlands. (The Advocate)
• The attorneys general of Virginia and 10 other states call on FERC to institute a moratorium on fossil fuel projects during the pandemic. (CBS 19)
• An oil service company with hundreds of employees in Houma, Louisiana, gets a $10 million federal stimulus loan. (Daily Advertiser)
• Authorities and industry groups warn oil companies about people falsely claiming to be inspectors for state regulators. (Houston Chronicle)
SOLAR:
• An $8 million loan will help finance solar projects in several Virginia county school systems. (Staunton News Leader)
• A solar company is spending $3 million to build a project that will supply power to an Arkansas water utility. (KY3)
WIND:
• The head of American Electric Power expects a decision from Louisiana and Texas regulators soon on a major wind project. (Utility Dive)
• Botetourt County, Virginia, officials will hold a public hearing next week on a bid to increase the height of turbines allowed for a proposed project. (Roanoke Times)
***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Networks’ 40 Under 40 today.***
NUCLEAR: A minor mishap occurred at the Plant Vogtle construction site when a crane became unbalanced, but no one was injured. (WRDW)
COMMENTARY: A coalition of public interest groups will pressure Duke Energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewables, make rates more affordable, and more, one of the groups says. (Appalachian Voices)