POLITICS: Led by West Virginia’s delegation, U.S. Senators who voted to block the Clean Power Plan have received millions in campaign contributions from the coal industry. (CNBC)
ALSO: A veteran Virginia congressman says the Obama administration is “not going to budge” on challenges to climate regulations. (E&E Daily)
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COAL: Jurors have still not reached a verdict in the trial of coal baron Don Blankenship. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
EFFICIENCY: Tupelo, Mississippi expects to save $140,000 a year or more after efficiency upgrades to public buildings. (Tupelo Daily Journal)
PIPELINES: A judge dismisses trespassing charges against pipeline surveyors who entered private property without permission, noting Virginia law specifically grants them access. (Franklin News-Post)
OIL AND GAS: A hearing in Atlanta draws testimony on offshore drilling. (Savannah Morning News)
FRACKING: An EPA report finding no “widespread, systemic impacts” on drinking water from fracking is being challenged by the agency’s own scientists. (InsideClimate News)
CLIMATE: A bill in the U.S. Senate would revive a 1970s financing tactic to help promote carbon capture projects. (New York Times)
UTILITIES:
• Duke Energy’s new control center in Charlotte manages the company’s renewable energy resources. (WSOC)
• As quickly as they became popular among utilities in response to load defection, increased fixed charges now appear to be on the way out. (Utility Dive)
TRANSMISSION: A University of Arkansas study says a proposed wind energy transmission line will have a $660 million impact on the state. (KUAR)
SOLAR: A Florida utility plans to offer community solar to its customers. (Pensacola News Journal)
WIND: The CEO of a company proposing a wind farm using an unconventional turbine design in Arkansas has served time in prison for embezzlement. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
NUCLEAR: Plant Vogtle in Georgia reaches several construction milestones. (PennEnergy)
POLLUTION: A Florida woman launches a class-action lawsuit against Volkswagen dealerships, saying she was misled on the cars’ emissions. (SaintPetersBlog)
COMMENTARY: A new industry study criticizing the Clean Power Plan, and frequently being cited by news media, is deeply flawed. (NRDC Switchboard)