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POLITICS: Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to the U.S. will complicate some politicians’ stances on climate change: “brushing off the pope is another matter.” (ClimateWire)
OHIO: Staff at the state Public Utilities Commission say FirstEnergy’s “bailout” request should be denied. (Columbus Business First)
SOLAR:
• Solar backers seek the recusal of three Arizona regulators on an upcoming rate case. (Phoenix Business Journal)
• Changes to California’s net metering rules could create new tax liabilities for the solar industry. (Greentech Media)
• A North Carolina mosque seeks to be one of the first in the country to install solar power. (Treehugger)
• A Texas brewery creates a tribute to the Alamo out of solar panels. (Scientific American)
CLEAN ENERGY: The Pentagon is betting heavily on securing energy from solar and wind energy projects. (The Washington Post)
NORTH CAROLINA: A final budget deal seals the fate of the state’s renewable energy tax credit: it will expire at year’s end. (SNL)
UTILITIES:
• NRG Energy is scaling back its ambitious renewable energy plans to focus on its traditional power generation business. (The Wall Street Journal)
• As long-term power purchase agreements come to an end, Nebraska’s unique public power system is facing increased competition from alternative suppliers. (Midwest Energy News)
• FirstEnergy’s fighting for a regulated market in Ohio is an “ironic turn of events” compared to its position in the early 2000s. (Public Radio International)
• A Nebraska utility is looking to shift the way it collects revenue with a higher monthly fixed charge and lower usage charges. (Lincoln Journal Star)
NATURAL GAS: In response to shifting fuel needs, New Hampshire regulators make it easier for utilities to buy space on natural gas pipelines. (New Hampshire Public Radio)
OIL AND GAS:
• Strengthened federal pipeline safety rules will be released by the end of the month following a recent surge in accidents. (Associated Press)
• An Oklahoma man’s death shows a lack of understanding of the dangers of working at oil and gas sites. (EnergyWire)
COAL:
• Following a win in Colorado, an environmental group plans to challenge permits for more Western coal mines on climate grounds. (Associated Press)
• At a meeting of coal industry officials, good news about the future is hard to come by. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Wisconsin families believe their health is deteriorating due to living near coal plants. (WTMJ-TV)
POLLUTION: The U.S. EPA accuses Volkswagen of intentionally violating clean-air standards with software that overrides cars’ emission controls. (Associated Press)
ELECTRIC CARS: The Los Angeles Police Department is testing a donated Tesla Model S as a pursuit vehicle. (Greentech Media)
COMMENTARY: What would Reagan do about climate change? (Huffington Post)