RENEWABLES: Virginia enters a contract with Dominion Energy to buy 420 MW of power from four solar projects and a wind farm to help meet a mandate of using renewables for 30% of the state’s electricity needs by 2022. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Roanoke Times)
SOLAR: Dominion Energy is proposing to pay the lowest avoided cost rate in the country to solar projects under PURPA in South Carolina. (PV Magazine)
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POLITICS: West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has frequently promoted his own coal companies, farms, and resorts while running the state government despite promising to focus on public service. (ProPublica, Charleston Gazette-Mail)
COAL: West Virginia University invests more in rare earth extraction technology at an acid mine drainage treatment site in the state. (WV News)
COAL ASH: A community group will host a meeting today about TVA’s decision to close the Bull Run power plant and build a new coal ash landfill. (Oak Ridger)
PIPELINES:
• In November, private investigators will hold a public questioning of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration about the permitting of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. (WRAL)
• Construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline slows for the winter after key permits were revoked because of environmental concerns. (Roanoke Times)
• Rural Texas landowners, environmental groups, and conservative-leaning municipalities band together to stop construction of Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline. (Associated Press)
OIL & GAS: A major investor drops out of a proposed $1 billion crude oil export terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. (Reuters)
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GRID: Duke Energy sues NTE Energy, alleging it failed to make $7 million in payments to connect to the North Carolina grid. (Triad Business Journal, subscription)
COMMENTARY:
• Remember South Carolina’s expensive energy history as Dominion and lawmakers lay groundwork for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to extend through the state, an editorial board says. (Post and Courier)
• Virginia’s first commercial wind farm could have local and regional benefits, an editorial board says. (Roanoke Times)
• Utilities in Kentucky don’t like rooftop solar because it means they lose money, a scientist says. (Lexington Herald-Leader)