UTILITIES:
• A survey finds a majority of utility executives think the way to respond to challenges from distributed generation is to own a stake in the process. (Greentech Media)
• An Arizona co-ops case could be part of a larger trend to impose demand charges on all residential customers in the state. (Arizona Republic)
• How the Clean Power Plan delay is shaking up utility planning processes. (Utility Dive)
NATURAL GAS:
• California officials say a leaking natural gas site has been permanently sealed, the health effects of the weekslong incident have yet to be tabulated. (Los Angeles Times, InsideClimate News)
• Wyoming’s largest natural gas producer is facing bankruptcy after reporting a $3.2 billion loss. (Billings Gazette)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join more than 600 innovators and decision-makers February 24-26 in Chicago for the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. With live demonstrations, insightful panels and unparalleled networking, MES 2016 is a can’t-miss conference. Register today!***
CLIMATE:
• House Democrats call for an investigation of Shell Oil over allegations it misled the public on climate change while preparing for rising sea levels. (Los Angeles Times)
• Some environmental groups oppose carbon trading plans to lower emissions because they fear it will disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. (ClimateWire)
COAL:
• One of the largest coal companies in the U.S. reports a $205 million loss as hopes for developing an Asian export market fade. (Denver Post)
• South Carolina lawmakers move to limit the disposal of coal ash from other states. (Greenville News)
SOLAR:
• An amendment in the U.S. Senate could limit the ability of Massachusetts and other states to change net metering practices. (MassLive)
• Policy uncertainty in Massachusetts is putting the brakes on community and municipal solar projects. (Greenfield Recorder, Lowell Sun)
• A new report finds big-box retail stores have enough unused rooftop space to triple U.S. solar capacity. (State House News Service)
• A report says state-by-state value of solar calculations could take the place of net metering. (Utility Dive)
• Legislation in South Dakota looks to clearly define the rates at which solar generating customers are reimbursed. (Midwest Energy News)
WIND:
• The assessor in a Colorado county is reporting a surge in property values near a massive new wind farm. (Colorado Springs Gazette)
• As wind turbines grow taller, the logistics of transporting their components becomes more complicated. (Houston Chronicle)
• A wind tax credit in Oklahoma may get a “haircut” as the state grapples with a budget shortfall. (Oklahoman)
GRID: Michigan researchers have published a set of 12 principles meant to guide utilities, operators and designers into sustainable energy-storage systems. (Midwest Energy News)
NUCLEAR:
• The Canadian government again delays a decision on whether to allow the storage of nuclear power plant waste less than a mile from Lake Huron. (Associated Press)
• A Department of Energy agreement could clear the way for small nuclear reactors to be built at an Idaho site. (Associated Press)
PIPELINES: Owners of a Pennsylvania maple syrup operation could be held in contempt of court if they continue to block workers from cutting down trees for a planned natural gas pipeline. (Reuters)
BIOENERGY: A biomass cogeneration plant in northern New York is in danger of closing because of low energy prices. (Associated Press)
ELECTRIC CARS: Industry experts say the Koch Brothers are developing a $10 million campaign targeting electric cars. (Huffington Post)
FINANCE: Apple issues the largest “green bond” by a U.S. corporation, announcing $1.5 billion to help finance clean energy projects across its global business operations. (Reuters)
COMMENTARY:
• Why Texas is a gold mine for clean energy. (Houston Chronicle)
• “The markets have spoken” on coal, regardless of what the EPA does. (The Hill)
• How to take a rational approach to calculating the value of solar. (Utility Dive)