UTILITIES: A plan by Dominion Energy to supply 100 percent renewable power to its commercial and industrial customers may prevent third parties from competing and reduce customer choice. (Southeast Energy News)
ALSO: A Florida utility disputes a report by a nonprofit that claims it billed ratepayers nearly $10 million for expenses related to lobbying. (Miami New Times)
NUCLEAR:
• Georgia Power executives said Thursday that they’re considering all options for the future of its Vogtle nuclear project, repeatedly saying the completion date and cost are in flux. (Associated Press)
• A deal to continue construction at Plant Vogtle after contractor Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy expires today and Georgia Power may seek help from the White House. (WABE, Bloomberg)
• There is speculation that Toshiba, the parent company of Westinghouse, may also file for bankruptcy. (Post and Courier)
• Despite its bankruptcy, Westinghouse was awarded on Thursday a $450 million nuclear fuel contract from the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Times Free Press)
COAL:
• One day after former Massey CEO Don Blankenship was released from a one-year sentence for his role in the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in 2010, his lawyers said Massey will request the U.S. Supreme Court hear an appeal of his conviction. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• A new report from Columbia University casts doubt on the prospects of a coal revival based on an analysis of factors leading to the industry’s decline over the past six years. (WKU)
• A proponent of clean coal technology says there are sites in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and others to build clean coal-to-liquid synfuel plants. (Coalfield Progress)
SOLAR:
• Georgia Power plans to build a 139 MW solar farm at an Air Force base. (Macon Telegraph)
• Commissioners in a North Carolina county will review details next week of Duke Energy’s plan to build a solar farm on a closed county-owned landfill. (Citizen-Times)
CARBON CAPTURE: University of Kentucky researchers continue to test a carbon-capture technology they say is cheaper and more efficient than other methods. (WKU)
POLITICS: Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Perriello, who opposes several pipeline projects, has worked with Dominion Energy in the past on projects in the state. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
COMMENTARY:
• A newspaper editorial praises a South Carolina lawmaker’s bill to block state support needed for offshore oil drilling. (Post and Courier)
• A Virginia lawmaker says fighting climate change means electing leaders who support renewable energy and environmental protection. (Progressive Voice)
• The Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in 2010 shows that offshore drilling is not as safe and should be remembered as the Trump administration presses forward with oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic. (TC Palm)