COAL: Dozens of Appalachian communities have been plotting a course beyond coal for decades, relying on local culture, outdoor recreation, tech jobs and a skilled labor force to expand their economies. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: A miners’ union reaches collective bargaining agreements and ratifies contracts for several mines in West Virginia. (Observer-Reporter)
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EQUITY: A Charlottesville, Virginia, nonprofit draws attention to the extreme energy burden facing low-income and people of color. (Energy News Network)
PIPELINES:
• The Mountain Valley Pipeline, which plans to cross the Appalachian Trail, pledges up to $19.5 million to conserve land in other spots along the trail. (Roanoke Times)
• The Permian Highway Pipeline still faces major opposition even after developers announce it will be rerouted around a Texas river. (Carlsbad Current Argus)
SOLAR:
• Entergy Arkansas announces plans to buy a 900-acre, 100 MW solar farm — among the largest solar projects in the state — pending approval by regulators. (KUAR)
• St. Petersburg signs on to a Duke Energy program that will offer subscriptions to pay for the development of utility-owned solar plants instead of customer-owned renewable energy systems. (St. Pete Catalyst)
• A West Coast man travels across central Texas in a solar-powered truck. (KWTX)
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OIL & GAS:
• An Oklahoma oil company files for bankruptcy protection for the second time in four years. (E&E News, subscription)
• During a Democratic National Convention event, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) claims liquified natural gas is essential in the transition to renewable energy, and that a Biden administration would help support that. (The Hill)
COMMENTARY:
• A writer reviews a new book about the mistreatment of Appalachian coal miners with black lung disease. (New York Times)
• A clean energy group says Florida utility regulators’ practices are outdated, and they need to modernize them. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)