ENERGY STORAGE: Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources sees storage as one of its three most promising growth opportunities. (Greentech Media)
POLICY:
• The EPA unveils new rules aimed at curbing the amount of pollution that power plants dump into streams. (Climate Progress)
• The lead House Energy committee approves a bill similar to a bill approved by a Senate panel in August. (The Hill)
NORTH CAROLINA: The legislature passes a 71-page repeal of safeguards designed to protect North Carolina’s air and water. (Southern Environmental Law Center)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Virginia construction company opens a public-use, EV-charging station in Charlottesville. (The Daily Progress)
CLIMATE: Florida Sen. Bill Nelson says “we can’t keep denying” the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. (Palm Beach Post)
SOLAR: A high school near Hampton Roads partners with Dominion Virginia Power by hosting the first solar energy system of its kind. (The Virginian-Pilot)
COAL GASIFICATION: Mississippi Power’s latest projected start date for its Kemper plant means it might have to return about $234 million in investment tax credits to the IRS. (SNL)
BLANKENSHIP TRIAL: A flurry of procedural motions confront the judge presiding over the trial beginning today against coal baron Don Blankenship. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
COAL ASH:
• North Carolina concedes it failed to follow its own policy when initially imposing a $25 million penalty against Duke Energy. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• Alabama Power refuses to set a timetable for closing its coal ash ponds. (Alabama Media)
• Georgia Power says it will produce a schedule for closing its coal ash ponds within six months. (Rome News-Tribune)
FRACKING: Stokes County, North Carolina slaps a three-year moratorium on oil and gas fracking operations. (Winston-Salem Journal)
VOLKSWAGEN:
• VW’s plans to add 2,000 jobs and expand its Chattanooga assembly plant by 30% remain, for now. (Associated Press)
• VW owners wonder where a fix will leave them. (National Public Radio)
NUCLEAR: Industry leaders ponder how to replace retiring workers. (Pittsburgh Business Times)
ENERGY ENTREPRENEURS: There are six Southeast U.S. cities on this top ten list of locales for millennial innovators. (Fast Company)
COMMENTARY: Offshore wind is becoming a “missed opportunity,” say scientists in a new assessment. (National Academy of Sciences)