FRACKING: A new U.S. Geological Survey study confirms a West Virginia site for dumping drilling fluids contaminated Wolf Creek, a source for drinking water. (Climate Progress)
OIL & GAS:
• The EPA is set to issue today the first federal standards aimed at curbing methane emissions. (Wall Street Journal)
• A Houston firm with all of its engineers based in Durham, North Carolina claim they’ve found a way with big data to save the industry billions of dollars. (Triangle Business Journal)
***SPONSORED LINK: Register now for WINDPOWER 2016 – the wind energy industry’s largest annual conference, May 23-26 in New Orleans. Register here. ***
SOLAR:
• A Florida homeowner perseveres in his bid to unplug his solar-powered home from the local utility, which is against the law there. (WFTV)
• Utilities raised $8.5 million in April to promote a constitutional amendment widely viewed as inhibiting the growth of rooftop solar in Florida. (Jacksonville Business Journal)
• Tallahassee, Florida joins other jurisdictions seeking to deploy large solar systems at their airports. (WCTV)
• North Carolina environmental officials reject a report by regulators that downplayed criticism of efforts to reduce water pollution using floating, solar-powered, “mixers.” (WRAL)
COAL ASH:
• Georgia environmental officials weigh rules to keep toxic coal ash from polluting nearby waterways. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and state lawmakers today are to release a plan for reconstituting an oversight commission. (Raleigh News & Observer)
NATURAL GAS: An environmental group in North Carolina considers appealing a $10 million bond required if it continues challenging the speedy approval of a new natural gas-fired power plant sought by Duke Energy. (Charlotte Business Journal)
BLANKENSHIP TRIAL: Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship today is due to report to a California federal prison to begin serving his one-year sentence. (Associated Press)
UTILITIES: A survey reflects continued declining customer satisfaction with Duke Energy. (Charlotte Observer)
PIPELINES:
• A county judge in Virginia rules developers of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline gave “legally insufficient” survey notices to 37 landowners. (The Lynchburg News & Advance)
• Protesters in Columbia, South Carolina greet Dominion shareholders and executives gathering for the company’s annual meeting. (The State)
OFFSHORE DRILLING: An acoustics expert questions whether seismic surveys off the North Carolina coast can be done without harming marine life or interfering with fishing. (Coastal Review Online)
***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Solar Power Southeast, May 25-26 in Atlanta. This year’s event will include educational sessions as well as a completely sold out exhibit floor. Get a 15% discount with code SPSE16SACE. ***
TECHNOLOGY: The North Carolina Biotech Center is among those to receive a portion of $10 million earmarked for clean energy research. (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
COMMENTARY:
• Without new guarantees, A University of West Virginia law professor says taxpayers will end up paying to clean up lands abandoned after mining coal. (The Conversation)
• Your battery-powered electric vehicle is only as clean as your electricity supplier. (Scientific American)
• North Carolina needs a commission with teeth to oversee the management and disposal of coal ash. (Fayetteville Observer)
• Appalachian Power should be lauded for proposing a shrewd move from coal toward cleaner energy. (Natural Resources Defense Council)