OIL & GAS: A new study by Harvard scientists finds a significant increase in airborne radioactive particles downwind of fracking sites, with some of the biggest increases found in West Virginia. (The Guardian)
ALSO: The city of El Paso, Texas, unanimously reaffirms its opposition to a planned addition of a 228 MW natural gas generator to a local power plant. (KTSM)
HYDROPOWER: The nation’s hydroelectric industry announces a pact with several environmental groups to collaborate on ways to increase generation from existing dams while making them less ecologically damaging. (New York Times)
NUCLEAR: A small nuclear reactor under development by the Tennessee Valley Authority was not among those awarded funding Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Energy. (Times Free Press)
GRID:
• Speaking in Charlotte, U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette announces $65 million in federal grants for testing of “grid-interactive” buildings. (Charlotte Observer)
• An electric utility’s plan to raise power lines over St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, to allow large cargo ships easier access to port is creating confusion and criticism. (Florida Times-Union, WJXT)
SOLAR:
• A South Carolina solar farm is one step closer to approval after the developer addressed local officials’ concerns about decommissioning. (Myrtle Beach Sun)
• A North Carolina county rejects a conditional use permit for a proposed solar farm after testimony from neighbors who opposed the project. (Yadkin Ripple)
• A Virginia county extends a construction deadline for a 20 MW solar farm and considers new ordinances amid a surge in renewable projects. (Virginia Gazette)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Virginia regulators launch a new program to help state, local and tribal entities replace medium and heavy-duty diesel vehicles with all-electric ones. (CBS19)
• Owensboro, Kentucky, receives state and federal funds to buy its first all-electric bus as it weighs the pros and cons with diesel. (Messenger-Inquirer)
STORAGE: Virginia’s Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power announce a partnership to expand renewable energy storage technology in the state. (Virginia Business)
EFFICIENCY: Several Florida legislators say they want to see changes to a state-approved energy efficiency program for homeowners. (Tampa Bay Times)
OVERSIGHT:
• Texas voters have two very different choices on the ballot to serve as the state’s next oil and gas regulator. (Houston Public Media)
• In candidate forums for two Georgia Public Service Commission seats, Republican incumbents defend their embrace of natural gas while Democratic challengers say energy needs to be cleaner and more fair. (Saporta Report)
UTILITIES: The Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce wants South Carolina to sell Santee Cooper because it says the electric and water utility lacks racial diversity and a commitment to clean energy. (WIS News10)
CARBON: Southern Company will continue to manage and operate the National Carbon Capture Center in Alabama under a renewed agreement with the federal government. (Alabama NewsCenter)
CLIMATE: A new report says the cost of inaction on climate change in South Florida could exceed $38 billion by 2070. (Miami Herald)
COMMENTARY:
• A transition to electric transportation will spur economic development in the Southeast, according to a clean energy group’s policy brief. (CleanEnergy.org)
• An editorial board says the coal dust that coats vehicles and seeps into buildings in two coastal Virginia neighborhoods requires action. (Virginian-Pilot)
• A Virginia lawmakers explains how solar power-purchase-agreements can help lower energy costs for local schools and governments. (Roanoke Times)