FRACKING: The tally of Florida jurisdictions supporting a ban a fracking within their boundaries reaches 57. (Orlando Weekly)
OFFSHORE DRILLING: A new study challenges an industry estimate of jobs to be created by opening the Southeast coast to oil and gas drilling. (The Virginian-Pilot)
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SOLAR:
• Woodland, North Carolina defends its rejection of a solar farm after it was mocked on social media. (Miami Herald)
• Corning in North Carolina enters into a 25-year power purchase agreement with a unit of Duke Energy. (Solar Novus Today)
• Five breweries in North Carolina are honored for plugging into solar power. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
CLEAN POWER PLAN: The rush to replace coal with natural gas instead of renewables and nuclear to generate electricity may be undermining a lower carbon future. (Nashville Public Radio)
COAL:
• Some analysts see divestment and other financial pressures as the last straws in coal’s decline. (SNL)
• “Reclaim Appalachia” aims to address social and economic challenges brought on by coal’s decline. (West Virginia Public Radio)
COAL ASH: The number of communities challenging Dominion Virgina Power’s disposal plans continues to grow. (The Free Lance-Star)
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS:
• The dismissal of the CEO who led the company preparing to open a closely-watched LNG export terminal in Louisiana spotlights the turmoil brought on by low oil and gas prices. (The New York Times)
• The CEO of a proposed natural gas liquefaction and export terminal in Louisiana defends its long-term strategy amid a growing global glut of the fuel. (SNL)
NUCLEAR: By one accounting, Georgia Power’s share of of the two reactors under construction at Plant Vogtle has risen to $9.5 billion, but its largest owner disputes that figure. (SNL)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: The Virginia Municipal League lauds six counties for reducing energy usage and promoting sustainability. (The Daily Progress)
UTILITIES: The CEO of Piedmont Natural gas is to receive a $14 million severance after Duke Energy acquires it next year. (Charlotte Business Journal)
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS: A Florida county gets its first public refueling station while selling a one-gallon equivalent for $2.48. (The Gainesville Sun)
COMMENTARY:
• Floridians deserve easier and market-driven access to rooftop solar. (Miami Herald)
• Rising sea levels are a seige on Miami and south Florida. (The New Yorker)