COAL ASH: Neighbors of Duke Energy coal ash ponds in North Carolina say they still won’t drink their well water despite assurances from the utility. (Winston-Salem Journal)
ALSO:
• Operators of a Tennessee coal plant say it is “ahead of the game” in handling ash safely. (Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle)
• A hearing will be held Wednesday for a proposed coal ash landfill in North Carolina. (Winston-Salem Journal)
COAL:
• A judge rules the Sierra Club can move forward with a legal action to obtain pollution records for coal plants in Louisiana and Arkansas. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
• A West Virginia woman discusses the unique challenges for female coal miners. (NPR)
• Lawyers for former Massey Energy CEO Don Blakenship say he doesn’t have to disclose financial information at his sentencing. (Associated Press)
EPA: West Virginia’s attorney general talks about how his office became a leader in “fighting illegal EPA overreach.” (Coal Valley News)
SOLAR:
• At a panel discussion, Georgia regulator Lauren “Bubba” McDonald says the state will “move methodically” on solar “based on facts and figures.” (Athens Banner-Herald)
• The Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency is ready to start exploring solar power – in 2017. (Frankfort State Journal)
NUCLEAR:
• Georgia Power has selected a site for a new nuclear plant sometime after 2030, at least one local official is skeptical it will be built. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Time is running out for new nuclear technology to replace retiring reactors. (New York Times)
• A Florida congressman introduces a bill requiring the Energy Department to report on the state of nuclear fusion technology. (E&E Daily)
PIPELINES: Georgia lawmakers are expected to vote this week on legislation to halt the Palmetto Pipeline. (WJBF)
CLIMATE: University of Georgia research will attempt to better assess the risks of rising sea levels on coastal communities. (Athens Banner-Herald)
POLITICS: Florida utilities were among the biggest spenders in the state legislature this year. (Tampa Bay Times)
EFFICIENCY: Jacksonville, Florida expects new LED streetlights to save the city $1 million a year on electricity costs. (Florida Times-Union)
BIOENERGY: Duke Energy signs agreements to buy biogas from swine and poultry waste from a North Carolina facility. (Charlotte Business Journal)
COMMENTARY:
• Defeat of a bill restricting local control of fracking was “one of the happy outcomes” of the recent Florida legislative session. (Tampa Tribune)
• Are electric co-ops holding back solar power in Mississippi? (Biloxi Sun Herald)
• A Florida mayor says “we simply don’t have time for members of Congress to continue denying the facts” on climate change. (Sun-Sentinel)