DEEPWATER HORIZON: A study of fish in the Gulf of Mexico reveals oil contamination is still widespread 10 years after the Deepwater Horizon explosion. (UPI)
UTILITIES:
• Virginia regulators approve a rate increase for Old Dominion Power that will increase southwest Virginia customers’ monthly bills by about 15%, or $21.40, starting May 1. (Virginia Mercury)
• Energy providers in Oklahoma and across the U.S. see declines in power demands as people adjust to working from home during the pandemic. (Oklahoman)
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TRANSPORTATION: The coronavirus pandemic is fueling a bike boom in cities across the U.S., but it’s unclear whether that trend will last after stay-at-home orders are lifted. (E&E News)
SOLAR: Residential solar installation soared in Arkansas last year, with a record 812 new net metering customers added. (Arkansas Business)
COAL:
• West Virginia lawmakers are working on legislation to ensure black lung disease clinics remain open for miners suffering from the disease. (Fox8)
• The CEO of Longview Power, a West Virginia coal plant operator that just filed for bankruptcy, says employees will still have jobs and the company will continue its plans to expand a natural gas plant. (WBOY)
COAL ASH: Six years after a massive coal ash spill in North Carolina, environmental advocates discuss lessons learned and regulatory issues related to coal ash storage. (MLive)
PIPELINES: A group of 29 House Democrats ask federal energy regulators to stop approving new natural gas pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas export facilities during the pandemic. (The Hill)
OIL & GAS: Oil and gas companies eliminate more than 6,400 jobs in a single day, with most layoffs at a Houston oil field service company. (Houston Chronicle)