HURRICANE LAURA: Major oil and gas companies in the path of Hurricane Laura so far appeared to have suffered only limited damage, with the exception of a leak and chemical fire at a chlorine production plant near Lake Charles. (The Advocate)
ALSO:
• With more than 1,400 oil wells and other facilities in the storm’s path, it could be several days before the full extent of damage is known. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
• Oil and gas companies organize crews to evaluate offshore platforms and assess damage to coastal operations. (Reuters)
• Nuclear plants in the storm’s path were still running at full capacity as of yesterday morning. (S&P Global)
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UTILITIES:
• The Tennessee Valley Authority will provide a $200 million COVID-19 pandemic relief package for local power providers that includes a 2.5% discount on its base electric rates. (Knoxville News Sentinel)
• TVA hires an independent consultant to take a look into its executive compensation after President Trump criticized the CEO’s salary. (Associated Press)
EMISSIONS: A new report from a clean energy group notes Florida utilities and others in the Southeast in pursuing carbon emissions reduction goals — but most of those plans are still not aggressive enough. (WMFE)
SOLAR:
• A new Audubon report calls South Carolina an “unstoppable giant” on growing solar energy, finding solar contributes more than $58.8 million in state and local taxes annually and supports 7,250 jobs. (Solar Power World)
• Construction begins on a 6 MW solar facility in South Carolina owned by Dominion Energy. (Columbia Regional Business Report)
WIND: A wind project proposed by a company linked to China near the Texas-Mexico border is drawing heavy pushback. (E&E News)
STORAGE: Duke Energy executives say energy storage will be an important part of its shift toward clean energy, but it depends on driving down the cost. (Utility Dive)
OFFSHORE DRILLING: North Carolina sues the federal government over its decision to conduct seismic testing for oil and gas off the state’s coast. (The Hill)
COMMENTARY: A clean energy group examines the policies and position of Bill Hagerty, the Republican nominee for Tennessee’s U.S. Senator. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)