ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Kentucky manufacturer plans to add 170 jobs as part of a $27 million expansion to support future electric vehicle-related business. (Associated Press) 

ALSO:
• An EV battery manufacturer expands in central Florida with plans to add 100 jobs over five years at a new $25 million R&D facility. (Orlando Business Journal)
• BMW pledges to manufacture electric vehicles at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant, as U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham criticizes Democrats’ proposed tax credit for union-made electric cars. (Fortune, Morning News)

SOLAR:
• Kentucky regulators approve construction of a 60 MW solar farm with a public hearing for still-needed local permits set for Nov. 17. (Paducah Sun)
• An Arkansas city council approves a $12.2 million, 4.5 MW solar project to be installed atop city-owned buildings over the next 18 months. (Democrat Gazette)
• Mississippi regulators prepare to release updated net metering rules that will likely be open for public comment starting next month. (Northside Sun)
• Some South Carolina solar customers say they were deceived about financial benefits, as “bad actors” take advantage of solar’s popularity. (WMBF-TV) 

STORAGE: An independent power producer brings online two 100 MW battery energy storage systems in Texas that are expected to help balance renewable energy and improve grid reliability. (Energy Storage)

WIND: Strong wind resources and existing energy infrastructure off Texas’ Gulf Coast could make it an attractive region to offshore wind developers. (Texas Standard) 

CLIMATE:
• As stakeholders celebrate North Carolina’s new climate law, some caution that much more hard work and accountability is needed if the state is going to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. (USA Today Network)
• Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards says his successor won’t be able to “walk back” his state’s climate and clean energy investments. (The Advocate)

PIPELINES:
• The Memphis City Council delays a vote on new pipeline regulations after anti-pipeline activists raise concerns about potential loopholes. (MLK50)
• Virginia regulators hear arguments on whether the developer of the planned Chickahominy Pipeline fits the definition of a public utility. (Virginia Mercury)

OIL & GAS:
• Gainesville city leaders are scheduled to vote today on hiring firms to build a gas-fired power plant to power the University of Florida. (Gainesville Sun)
• Industry leaders in Louisiana discuss how to move forward with liquefied natural gas at a time of growing concern over climate change. (The Advocate)

EFFICIENCY:
• A longtime Texas consumer advocate is upset that Austin’s city council canceled public input on a natural gas conservation program. (Austin Monitor)
• Alabama awards more than $560,000 in energy efficiency grants to municipal and nonprofit facilities across the state. (WKRG)

GRID: Oklahoma utility regulators approve comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opposing a one-size-fits-all approach to transmission planning that doesn’t recognize states’ authority. (Tulsa World)

POLITICS: Democrat’s big losses in Virginia are a blow to President Biden’s energy agenda, as the state is a key partner for offshore wind development. (E&E News)

COMMENTARY: The University of Florida should focus on renewables and energy efficiency instead of building a new fossil fuel power plant, write advocates with the Natural Resources Committee and League of Women Voters. (Gainesville Sun)  

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Dan Haugen

Dan has two decades' experience working in print, digital and broadcast media. Prior to joining the Energy News Network as managing editor in December 2017, he oversaw watchdog reporting at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, part of the USA Today Network, and before that spent several years as a freelance journalist covering energy, business and technology. Dan is a former Midwest Energy News journalism fellow and a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.