FRACKING: Activists raise concerns that seismic testing in north Florida mean fracking is not far behind, but a consultant says the area’s geology is more suitable for conventional drilling. (Tallahassee Democrat)

CLIMATE:
• A coalition of states that includes Virginia signed a pact to keep its probe of ExxonMobil’s climate research confidential. (Reuters)
• A United Methodist church in Alabama holds a forum this coming Monday on the theological implications of human-caused global warming. (Hoover Sun)

UTILITIES:
• Duke Energy strives to keep residential revenue growing even as usage per customer continues to drop. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• North Carolina officials are probing a possible violation by Duke Energy where it released up to 50,000 gallons of storm water into a river. (Charlotte Observer)
• NextEra plans to sell equity units to help fund its $18.4 billion purchase of Oncor Electric Delivery. (Utility Dive)

COAL:
• The CEO of Mississippi Power’s parent company touts the ability of the Kemper “clean coal” plant to also run on natural gas. (Mississippi Business)
• More than $370 million in refunds have been made to Mississippi Power customers for illegal charges tied to construction of the plant. (Mississippi Today)

SOLAR: With polls suggesting enough voters approve, backers of Amendment 4 in Florida counter opponents’ claims in a final push for its passage on the state’s August 30 primary ballot. (SaintPetersBlog)

OFFSHORE DRILLING: NOAA issues guidance on how to predict the impact of seismic testing on marine mammals. (Coastal Review Online)

COAL ASH:
• Hundreds of residents near a Georgia landfill that could accept coal ash pack a meeting to discusss proposed disposal regulations. (Savannah Morning News)
• Q&A: Are wells near Duke Energy coal ash dumps safe? (WFAE Public Radio)

PIPELINES: Developers of a newly-approved natural gas pipeline in Georgia moves to begin construction. (WABE Pubic Radio)

NATURAL GAS: A leading opponent of Duke Energy’s proposed natural gas-fueled power plant in Asheville, North Carolina spells out his rationale. (WCQS Public Radio)

EFFICIENCY: Tennessee grants a county $18,000 to install LED bulbs. (Oak Ridge Today)

COMMENTARY:
• The latest coal ash controversy in North Carolina is “perhaps unprecedented intervention” by the governor’s office. (Charlotte Observer)
• Why would a North Carolina toxicologist lie under oath about water safety near Duke Energy’s coal ash ponds, as alleged by the governor’s office? (Charlotte Magazine)
• Yay, Dominion Virginia Power is building solar, but not smoothing the way for homeowners and communities. (Power for the People VA blog)
• Alabamians have come to expect the worst from their public utility commissioners. (Alabama Media Group)