SOLAR:
• Class-action lawsuits brought against solar leasing companies in Louisiana and elsewhere are raising questions about who’s protecting consumers. (Greentech Media)
• Dominion Virginia Power received a hearing examiner’s approval to build a 20 megawatt solar energy system near Remington. (Fauquier Now)
• A Florida entrepreneur says solar energy today is where cellular phones were 20 years ago. (Tallahassee Democrat)
VOLKSWAGEN EMISSIONS VIOLATIONS:
• Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia are among at least 28 states probing VW’s use of secret software to thwart diesel emissions tests. (Associated Press)
• Some Tennessee officials are wary of VW reducing its operations in the state where the automaker has a large plant. (Associated Press)
• A VW owner and law firm in Louisville bid to launch a class-action lawsuit against the embattled automaker. (Louisville Courier-Journal)
• The EPA plans sweeping changes to the way it tests for diesel emissions. (Associated Press)
METHANE EMISSIONS: After busting Volkswagen, West Virginia University scientists now are assessing methane emissions from natural gas shale drilling. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)
NUCLEAR:
• South Carolina regulators approve a $64.5 million rate increase to cover cost overruns at two new nuclear units. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• Some North Carolina officials are looking at how new reactors could “leapfrog” natural gas to comply with the federal Clean Power Plan. (Utility Dive)
EFFICIENCY: Raleigh-based Cree is pursuing municipal lighting LED retrofits in Taiwan with a local vendor. (Triangle Business Journal)
ENERGY STORAGE: Duke Energy is trying to standardize energy storage for small companies that want the security of backup power. (Charlotte Business Journal)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Travelers parking their vehicles at Nashville’s airport now have access to one quick- and two slow-charging stations. (WSMV-TV, Nashville)
SUSTAINABILITY: The Metro Atlanta Chamber champions local companies for connecting environmental gains with economic success. (Atlanta Business Chronicle)
POLLUTION: The connection between cleaner air and longer lives is becoming more clear. (The New York Times)
UTILITIES:
• There are at least five lawsuits seeking to stop the sale of Tampa-based TECO Energy. (Saint Peters Blog)
• Utility rates are a hot issue in Albany, Georgia heading toward municipal elections Nov. 3. (Albany Herald)
POWER DEMAND: The south region of the power pool that includes parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi reported record demand in July and then again in August. (Utility Dive)
POPE’S U.S. VISIT: Why a Baptist pastor from Atlanta joined hundreds rallying for climate action in Washington during the Pope’s visit. (Climate Progress)
WORKFORCE EDUCATION: Eight elementary and secondary schools in West Virginia are part of a new utility-led push to foster better STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
OIL & GAS: Citing risks to endangered species, two environmental groups are challenging plans for an oil terminal at the mouth of the York River in Virginia. (The Daily Press)