SOLAR:
• Power from three solar systems planned by Entergy in Mississippi are the first large scale projects in the state and will help it understand locational differences and capacity factors. (The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi)
• The growing ‘Energy Freedom’ movement for free markets and against utility monopolies is fueling a solar energy push by some Republicans in North Carolina. (The News & Observer, Raleigh)
NUCLEAR:
• Duke Energy finds recurring hairline fault in Shearon Harris nuclear plant reactor near Raleigh which it missed during a 2012 inspection and caused it to shut down in 2013. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• An interview with MIT-educated scientist Leslie Dewan about her vision to develop a molten salt nuclear reactor. (Nashville Public Radio)
UTILITIES: A key Senate committee in Florida backs a Duke Energy proposal to securitize bonds that could pay for nuclear plant costs; next stop is Senate Appropriations Committee. (Orlando Sentinel)
ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLES:
• Owners of all electric and hybrid vehicles in Georgia and Virginia now pay more in upfront taxes than do owners of gasoline and diesel cars. (Green Car Report)
• The 4th Annual Electrathon Alabama held this week attracted 14 teams of high school and college students from Georgia and Alabama to see how far the electric vehicles they built can go on a motorsports track. (The Huntsville Times, Alabama)
• In a rushed vote that could be challenged in court, Georgia lawmakers — after voting to raise taxes on electric vehicles — passed a tax break for leases on new Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY: Columnist Fred Grimm hits on campaign contributions by Florida utilities that ‘blot out the sun’. (The Miami Herald)