COAL: While political leaders talk about reviving the industry, utilities in Appalachia and elsewhere continue moving away from coal. (New York Times)
ALSO:
• President Trump’s chief economic adviser causes a stir by saying coal “doesn’t really make that much sense anymore as a feedstock.” (Associated Press)
• Ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his conviction for his role in the 2010 Upper Big Branch mine explosion. (Associated Press)
• Virginia will receive a $10 million grant to develop abandoned mines around the state. (Times News)
• Mississippi Power has until June 3 to make a case to raise customer rates to recover costs from its Kemper plant. (Sun Herald)
PIPELINES:
• A judge grants an injunction against property owners on the Mountain Valley Pipeline route preventing them from interfering with protesters. (Roanoke Times)
• Pipeline opponents criticize the Virginia DEQ’s reversal on water quality permits for the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley projects. (News Virginian)
• Virginia’s House minority leader has asked state officials for a more rigorous review for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Environmentalists are questioning recent poll results that show a majority of North Carolinians support construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. (Rocky Mount Telegram)
• Hundreds of Virginians, including a candidate for governor, attended the annual Memorial Day Pipeline Project meeting and voiced concerns over the proposed Atlantic Pipeline project. (NBC 29)
• Officials with the Sabal Trail project requested on Friday a later date to begin using its portion of the natural gas pipeline, while another environmental group requested on Friday the pipeline never go into service. (Palm Beach Post)
OIL AND GAS:
• The West Virginia Supreme Court on Friday reversed its decision that natural gas drillers can deduct post-production costs from some mineral owners’ royalties. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• Economists say the shale gas revolution will continue, thanks to known reserves in several states, including Arkansas. (RTO Insider)
NUCLEAR: Following Westinghouse’s bankruptcy filing and intent to borrow money, subcontractors are unsure if the Summer and Vogtle nuclear projects will be completed. (Maritime Executive)
TECHNOLOGY: A team of students and professors at Virginia Tech has come up with an idea to harvest energy from foot traffic, among others, as a new centerpiece for the campus. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
COMMENTARY:
• A newspaper editorial suggests tax-neutral ideas for economic development in Appalachia. (Roanoke Times)
• An editorial board says Congress should keep its promise to Louisiana on oil and gas royalties, following a budget proposal from President Trump to cut them. (Times-Picayune)
• A South Carolina lawmaker and the head of a state voting organization who oppose offshore drilling are asking the federal government to stop putting the interests of “coastal communities behind the interests of big oil.” (Post and Courier)
• Mississippi’s attorney general has released the Consumer’s Guide to Solar Power for the state to help homeowners and businesses navigate the industry. (Clarion-Ledger)
• An editorial board says it is more “disappointing than surprising” that Virginia state regulators will not pay closer attention to how two natural gas pipeline projects will impact the state’s water. (News Leader)