CLEAN POWER PLAN: A new poll shows residents in eight Southeast states support the Clean Power Plan even though their attorneys general are suing to block it. (Climate Progress)
NET METERING: Mississippi regulators say they expect to make a decision on net metering by the end of the year. (Mississippi Business Journal)
CLIMATE:
• Most Americans know the climate is changing, but they say they are just not that worried about it, according to a new poll. (Associated Press)
• A group of Senate Democrats release a GAO report that urges the federal government to communicate about the health risks of climate change. (The Hill)
SOLAR:
• A pair of bills to allow businesses to write off the costs of installing solar panels pass an early test in a Florida Senate committee. (Saint Peters Blog)
• The Alabama PSC approves Alabama Power’s proposals for solar electricity production at two Army facilities. (Alabama Media Group)
WIND: The power grid that includes parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky set a record for power generation from wind energy systems in October. (North American Wind Power)
SELF-GENERATION: A new study shows a mass defection of customers from utilities would have serious consequences. (Greentech Media)
NUCLEAR: A bond-rating agency predicts more cost increases for the two Plant Vogtle reactors under construction in Georgia. (The Augusta Chronicle)
UTILITIES: The drums are beating for potential class-action suits over whether the board of Piedmont Natural Gas is getting fair value in its proposed $4.9 billion sale to Duke Energy. (Charlotte Business Journal)
POLICY: Led by West Virginia, 23 states are suing the EPA over its emissions rules for new and modified power plants. (The Hill)
BLANKENSHIP TRIAL: A former mine safety inspector who later worked for Massey Energy testifies the company routinely defied mandated safety procedures. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)
COAL:
• A federal appeals court rules that a lawsuit over pollution from a now-closed coal-fired power plant in Kentucky can continue. (Louisville Courier-Journal)
• Exports through the Hampton Roads, Virginia port are down 29% for the year through October. (Platts)
WEST VIRGINIA: State officials are wary how far tax collections will fall due to coal’s decline and low natural gas prices. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
COMMENTARY:
• Conservatives should face up to climate change “as selflessly as if the nation were at war.” (The News Virginian)
• Might some large solar power systems actually do more harm than good for the environment? A debate. (The New York Times)