COAL:
• In response to the Don Blankenship trial, a Virginia congressman seeks tougher penalties for mining violations. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• Coal’s decline may mean the a Mississippi carbon capture project has missed its window of opportunity. (Biloxi Sun Herald)
• A photo essay shows a West Virginia coal town at its turning point. (Associated Press)
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COAL ASH: The Tennessee Valley Authority unveils $1 billion in improvements to more safely store ash at a Tennessee coal plant. (Nashville Public Radio)
POLLUTION: EPA standards for mercury and other pollutants appear likely to withstand a pending legal challenge. (Greenwire)
SOLAR:
• Tea Party activist Debbie Dooley explains why she supports a solar choice amendment in Florida. (The Guardian)
• A Virginia co-op signs deals for 30 MW of solar. (Bacon’s Rebellion)
POLICY: Experts predict federal tax credits for wind and solar will most likely be phased out over a 5-year period. (The Hill)
NUCLEAR: Despite no near-term need for capacity, the Tennessee Valley Authority is keeping its options open on whether to build a new nuclear plant. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
FRACKING: Virginia groups call for tougher safeguards on fracking. (Bristol Herald Courier)
HYDRO: Duke Energy wants its license to manage the Catawba River extended for an additional ten years. (Charlotte Observer)
WIND: Developers of a controversial Arkansas wind farm haven’t taken the initial steps to connect the project to the grid. (Arkansas Online)
COMMENTARY:
• Is a Virginia utility’s green energy option worth the money? (The Energy Collective)
• The threat of coal ash pollution should push Virginia forward on the Clean Power Plan. (Danville Register & Bee)
• North Carolina is taking a wrong turn on climate. (Raleigh News & Observer)
• Cities and counties should be able to say no to fracking. (Tallahassee Democrat)