COAL: Coal state lawmakers’ dogmatic belief in prolonging the industry’s life despite its decline has led to fiscal policies that make it harder for Appalachian economies to diversify. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: Contura Energy, a major Ohio Valley coal producer, announces it will speed up its exit from producing coal used to generate electricity due to the ongoing global transition away from fossil fuels. (Ohio Valley Resource)
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PIPELINES: Duke Energy takes a $1.6-billion after-tax charge for the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and lays out how renewable energy and grid modernization plans will fill financial holes. (Reuters, Greentech Media)
SOLAR:
• Duke Energy is expected to complete construction of a 69 MW solar project Catawba County, North Carolina, by the end of this year. (Hickory Daily Record)
• Facebook signs contracts to buy 806 MW of solar and wind across multiple states, including Tennessee. (PV Magazine)
WIND: Offshore wind farms in the Carolinas could bring $45 billion in investment, but North Carolina’s renewable energy policies lag other states, according to a new report. (Triad Business Journal, subscription)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Tesla has already posted 39 jobs for its Cybertruck Gigafactory in Austin, even though it isn’t built yet. (Inside EVs)
UTILITIES:
• The Tennessee Valley Authority board will review what it pays the utility’s president and consider possible changes after criticism from President Trump. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• Florida regulators sign off on agreements with several major utility companies dealing with long-term plans for strengthening electric systems to better withstand storms. (News 4 Jax)
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OIL & GAS: A federal appeals court rules that two lawsuits seeking to make oil companies pay for damage to Louisiana’s coast belong in state court; the state’s oil and gas association calls the lawsuits “meritless.” (The Center Square, KLFY)
COMMENTARY:
• Willie Nelson and Paul Simon write that the Permian Highway Pipeline through Texas Hill Country should be stopped. (Houston Chronicle)
• A Siemens Gamesa representative discusses the challenges of moving forward with a major offshore wind project off the coast of Virginia during the coronavirus pandemic. (Windpower Engineering)