OIL & GAS:
• Florida officials argue against seismic testing for oil or natural gas deposits offshore until research determines effects on sea life. (The Florida Times-Union)
• South Carolina Congressman Mark Sanford opposes seismic testing and drilling for oil and natural gas off the state’s coast. (The Island Packet)
• A Florida bill that would block permits for fracking until research and a rule-making are set passes the House amid disagreements over its effects. (Saint Peters Blog)
• Nearly 30 percent of 444 Florida and Alabama coastal residents surveyed said they were personally affected by the 2010 BP oil spill and are dissatisfied with local leaders’ responses. (The Gainesville Sun)
• A federal judge in New Orleans ruled oil spill cleanup workers who sue BP for medical problems that surface later in life have the right to make their case before a jury. (The Times-Picayune)

COAL ASH: An environmentalist asserts South Carolina is the nation’s leader in managing coal ash waste not North Carolina as Gov. Pat McCrory claims. (WUNC North Carolina Public Radio)

INNOVATION: University of Arkansas researchers have invented an electrical power converter system that simultaneously accepts power from a variety of energy sources and converts it for use in the electrical grid system. (University of Arkansas)

CLIMATE: Marco Rubio is challenged to back up his claim that addressing climate “will have a devastating impact” on the U.S. economy. (Saint Peters Blog)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: City of Ocala, Florida installs its first downtown charging station. (Ocala Star Banner)

MEDIA: Tampa Bay Times energy writer Ivan Penn is leaving this summer to take a position as energy reporter for the Los Angeles Times. (Saint Peters Blog)

COMMENTARY:
• Is the environmental risk from fracking too high for Florida? (Palm Beach Post)
• The President of Dominion Virginia Power defends a study showing the Virginia Peninsula needs a new high-voltage power line after two power plants close. (The Virginian-Pilot)