SOLAR: The oil market crash is hurting Texas’ solar industry: Developers have scrapped plans to build at least 13 solar farms, and analysts say more may follow as the state’s economy suffers. (Bloomberg)
WIND: Arkansas regulators approve regional utility SWEPCO’s partial acquisition of a massive Oklahoma wind project. (Renewables Now)
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PIPELINES:
• A judge revises a recent ruling that threatened to hold up thousands of utility projects crossing streams and wetlands, allowing permitting for new projects to proceed with additional environmental review. (Associated Press)
• A police academy in Virginia says a proposed pipeline could disrupt its operations and jeopardize its driving course. (Prince William Times)
• Houston pipeline company Energy Transfer plans to cut spending by at least $400 million this year due to the pandemic. (S&P Global)
OIL & GAS:
• Texas oil companies are slashing budgets and cutting workers, and experts say more bankruptcies could happen this year. (Houston Public Media)
• Natural gas exports to foreign countries slow because of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving companies’ expansion plans up in the air. (New York Times)
• House Democrats ask a Houston offshore drilling equipment company to return federal funding meant for small businesses. (Houston Chronicle)
• Major oil companies and utilities like Duke Energy stand to benefit from the federal government’s plans for a $750 billion bond bailout during the pandemic, according to an environmental group’s analysis. (The Guardian)
• Oklahoma regulators take no action on applications from oil and gas producers seeking to get state support to stabilize prices. (Reuters)
COAL: Environmental groups plan to sue West Virginia environmental regulators, alleging the agency has failed to follow federal reporting requirements for a coal mine reclamation fund. (Associated Press)
COAL ASH: Juliette, Georgia, residents are still waiting to get their water tested for coal ash contamination, a process stalled because of the pandemic. (WXGA)
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UTILITIES: South Carolina lawmakers will revisit funding packages to support the state during the pandemic after disagreements over the sale of utility Santee Cooper derailed their efforts last session. (The State)
COMMENTARY:
• The pandemic threatens clean energy jobs and renewable project progress in Texas, according to an environmental group. (Environmental Working Group)
• The president of the Electric Power Supply Association says Dominion Energy’s rate hike for Virginia customers could be a sign of things to come for other utilities. (Utility Dive)