ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A mix of technological, financial and institutional challenges is preventing U.S. cities from transitioning faster to electric bus fleets. (CityLab)
ALSO:
• The Koch brothers are working to slow the country’s transition to electric cars through front groups and campaign cash, advocates say. (Sierra)
• Oregon lawmakers, prior to a walkout by Republicans over a climate bill, passed legislation to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles. (Utility Dive)
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WIND:
• A bill to limit certain constitutional challenges in Ohio was conceived in response to a court case over how the state adopted its wind turbine setback rules, emails show. (Energy News Network)
• A cautious approach to offshore wind by the federal government could slow some states’ efforts to ramp up the industry. (E&E News)
• Fishermen say Vineyard Wind’s relocation of three turbines off the Massachusetts coast does little to protect fishing grounds that they say are endangered by offshore wind development. (Southcoasttoday)
SOLAR:
• Dominion Energy says it wants to expand solar in Virginia, requesting proposals for two small-scale projects. (WSET)
• The Indianapolis Colts are the latest professional football team to use solar power at its practice facilities. (Inside Indiana Business)
EFFICIENCY: A new Maine law seeks to double the number of annual installations of heat pumps to 10,000 per year. (Greentech Media)
COAL:
• U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin criticizes Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for blocking an amendment to secure healthcare and pensions for coal miners. (WV Metro News)
• A Kansas utility costs its customers $20 million a year by unnecessarily running its coal plants year-round, according to an analysis. (Associated Press)
• The surface mining industry’s compliance rate with federal rules drops, with only 57% of Kentucky permits free of violations in the latest evaluation. (Lexington Herald Leader)
PIPELINES:
• Michigan’s attorney general files a lawsuit to shut down the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, claiming it violates the public trust doctrine and environmental laws. (Bridge Magazine)
• A challenge to an air quality permit for a compressor station in Massachusetts has been rejected after additional hearings were held. (WGBH)
OIL & GAS:
• Environmentalists say methane emissions rules for the oil and gas industry enacted under former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper have done little to reduce the state’s overall greenhouse gas load. (Westword)
• Federal officials say the Philadelphia oil refinery that exploded and burned a week ago is still unsafe for an on-site inspection. (Associated Press)
UTILITIES:
• Michigan utility DTE Energy faces pushback over its long-term energy plan, which critics say isn’t as ambitious on renewable energy as a recently approved plan by Consumers Energy. (Energy News Network)
• The Tennessee Valley Authority will use solar and natural gas to replace its aging coal fleet, according to its 20-year power plan. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
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POLICY:
• Some Vermont clean energy advocates say a lack of urgency was shown in the recently concluded state legislative session. (Energy News Network)
• Milwaukee officials announce a climate plan that also addresses economic inequality with green infrastructure jobs. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
COMMENTARY:
• The Trump administration’s “do-nothing” replacement of the Clean Power Plan is an outrage, say three architects of the Obama policy. (Newsweek)
• The rise of solar and wind power will require utilities and electric grid operators to change the way they make decisions, David Roberts writes. (Vox)