COAL: Appalachian organizations helping communities transition from coal economies are doubling down on their efforts as the coal industry struggles during the coronavirus pandemic. (Energy News Network)

NUCLEAR: Southern Company’s Plant Vogtle nuclear project in Georgia is “highly unlikely” to meet its state deadlines and will likely face additional budget overruns, according to a local monitor. (Bloomberg)

***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship.*** 

SOLAR: Tennessee residents near the site of a proposed 9 megawatt solar farm, which would lower energy bills for local schools, complain that the project could affect their property values. (WCYB)

PIPELINES:
• Federal energy regulators will allow Mountain Valley Pipeline developers to bore under the Roanoke River in Virginia to set the pipe instead of an earlier plan to dam the water and dig a trench. (Roanoke Times)
• A new EPA rule that narrows the scope of state reviews of pipeline crossings won’t necessarily ease the path for projects because a suspended Army Corps permit is likely already delaying them. (Bloomberg Law)

COAL ASH: Georgia House lawmakers will consider two bills that would strengthen regulations on coal ash landfills in the state. (Georgia Recorder)

OIL & GAS:
• The number of oil rigs in the U.S. declined for the 13th-straight week, falling below 300 for the first time. (Houston Chronicle)
• Energy producers shut down about a third of the Gulf of Mexico’s crude oil and natural gas supplies as Tropical Storm Cristobal made landfall yesterday. (S&P Global)
• A lull in industrial construction in Louisiana could stretch out several years due to energy production projects being delayed or cancelled over the pandemic. (The Advocate)

***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Networks’ 40 Under 40 today.***

GRID: Two Charlottesville, Virginia, energy companies move toward a merger so that they can expand renewable energy offerings. (Virginia Business) 

COMMENTARY:
• Some major changes are coming to how much renewable energy Virginians can produce, an editorial board says. (Roanoke Times)
• A clean energy group interviews a Knoxville city council member about climate change, carbon reduction and renewables. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)