UTILITIES:
• The U.S. Supreme Court rules against Maryland’s program to subsidize new natural gas plants, saying it interferes with federal authority to regulate rates. (Bloomberg)
• The decision could have broader implications on other cases, including Ohio utilities’ efforts to guarantee incomes for some power plants. (Columbus Dispatch)
CONGRESS: The Senate is expected to vote soon on a bipartisan energy bill that includes provision to promote storage and grid modernization. (Washington Post)
***SPONSORED LINK: Don’t miss the action-packed 2016 Midwest Solar Expo, May 17-19 in Minnesota. Gain the latest industry insights and trends and network with hundreds of decision-makers from leading solar companies. Register today!***
CLIMATE:
• 2016 is already setting new records for high temperatures. (New York Times)
• The Federal Highway Administration is considering measures that would account for carbon pollution reductions in local and state transportation projects. (ClimateWire)
• A recently-formed caucus led by two House members from Florida holds its first meeting today to discuss carbon pricing. (E&E Daily)
• Federal filings show North Carolina conservative philanthropist Jay Faison is slow to attract donations to advocate for his pursuit of a cleaner energy future. (Charlotte Business Journal)
SOLAR:
• Utilities and solar companies in New York proposes a compromise on net metering. (Politico)
• A Missouri appellate court rules against a homeowner whose neighborhood association ordered him to remove solar panels from his house. (St. Joseph News-Press)
• A Florida utility delays a decision on how to credit rooftop solar owners for excess power pending the outcome of a utility-backed ballot measure. (Florida Times-Union)
OIL AND GAS:
• Advocates in Pennsylvania seek a review of a drilling company’s practices after an executive says in a speech that they avoid siting projects near wealthy homeowners. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Exports from a Louisiana natural gas terminal may help prevent prices from bottoming out again. (Bloomberg)
• Oil producers in Texas and New Mexico push to limit imports. (Associated Press)
• Developers of a proposed Oregon export terminal seek support from industry backers in Colorado. (Grand Junction Daily Sentinel)
COAL: Federal data show how fast coal production is declining in the U.S. (Washington Post)
COAL ASH: Danville, Virginia is to receive $2.4 million under a settlement with Duke Energy over the utility’s massive 2014 ash spill. (The Register-Bee)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Minnesota study challenges claims that electric vehicles are no better for the climate than gasoline cars, finding significantly lower emissions based on the state’s energy mix. (Midwest Energy News)
ADVOCACY: The Sierra Club’s “Beyond Dirty Fuels” campaign aims to build on the organizations successes fighting to shut down coal plants. (SNL Energy)
COMMENTARY:
• How utilities and solar companies can avoid expensive fights over net metering. (Greentech Media)
• Why utilities should be promoting electric cars to consumers. (Utility Dive)