GRID: North Carolina clean energy advocates say they will drop their opposition to half of Duke Energy’s grid improvement plan if the utility agrees to consider climate change in future grid planning. (Energy News Network)
HYDROGEN: NextEra plans to build a $65 million hydrogen power pilot project in Florida that will use a 20 MW electrolyzer to produce 100% green hydrogen from solar power instead of natural gas. (Greentech Media)
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OIL & GAS: A solar energy group says Florida’s reliance on natural gas costs the state around $5 billion annually, and that prices could double over the next decade. (Florida Daily)
PIPELINES: An environmental group’s “homegrown legal strategy” and constant opposition from residents along the planned route played major roles in stopping the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
COAL: A year after miners’ Blackjewel coal train blockade, a journalist looks back at the protest and what’s happened since. (Ohio Valley Resource)
EFFICIENCY: Four county buildings in Miller County, Arkansas, are getting major energy efficiency upgrades by the end of the year. (Texarkana Gazette)
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UTILITIES:
• In August, Memphis Light Gas and Water will resume cutting off customers’ power if they are behind on their bill. (WMC)
• Duke Energy plans to temporarily raise rates Aug. 10 to cover losses from a delayed rate hearing, but says it will keep North Carolina customers’ bills from rising until a decision is made. (Charlotte Business Journal, subscription)
COMMENTARY: The chair of the Knoxville Utilities Board defends the board’s decisions and claims changes proposed by clean energy groups to make energy more affordable are unnecessary. (Knoxville News Sentinel)