NUCLEAR: Duke Energy asks for permission to charge South Carolina customers a quarter of pre-construction costs — $125 million over 12 years — for the abandoned Lee nuclear plant. (Spartanburg Herald-Journal)
ALSO: Plant Vogtle operators took a nuclear reactor unit offline for refueling after an 18-month run. (Power Engineering)
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SOLAR:
• A Kentucky coal company is working with a renewables company to transform two former mining sites into a large solar farm. (CNET)
• A coalition of 65 South Carolina businesses urge the Senate to pass a bill designed to boost the solar industry. (Solar Power World)
• An Arlington, Virginia church installs solar panels to power some of its operations. (Local DVM)
• The Arkansas Senate passes a bill that would allow third-party financing of solar arrays. (Arkansas Business)
• Miami-Dade County, Florida enters an agreement with Florida Power & Light to install floating solar panels on an airport lake. (Miami Today)
• Jacksonville, Florida utility JEA signs five 50 MW solar power purchase agreements with EDF Renewables. (Solar Industry)
RENEWABLES: Texas companies are increasing making their own power instead of relying on utilities, a new study suggests. (Houston Chronicle)
OIL & GAS:
• An investment firm is sinking $400 million into making Corpus Christi a top oil and gas exporter. (Houston Chronicle)
• Chevron ramps up oil and gas production in the Permian Basin by using advanced technological methods for drilling. (Houston Chronicle)
• The Oklahoma House passes a measure to allow mineral rights owners to sue local governments over oil and gas operations on their land. (Oklahoman)
UTILITIES:
• Entergy’s CEO says utilities have to “reshape the grid” and that the utility is updating technology across its divisions. (Greentech Media)
• The Tennessee Valley Authority’s outgoing CEO may be in line to lead bankrupt California utility PG&E. (E&E News, subscription)
COAL: The West Virginia legislature passes a coal tax rebate program designed to boost production by making it easier to invest in equipment. (WV News)
COMMENTARY: Texas landowners are long overdue protections against eminent domain claims, an editorial board says. (Waco Tribune-Herald)