CLEAN POWER PLAN: A Roanoke, Virginia environmentalist with large land holdings eyes a means to comply with the plan by pairing coal sales with carbon credits earned by planting thousands of trees. (The Roanoke Times)
COAL:
• A costly coal-gasification gamble in Mississippi hits a testing phase as doubts persist about its financial and operational viability. (EnergyWire)
• Hundreds of miners and retirees protested against Patriot Coal in West Virginia Monday as the bankrupt company looks to nix a union contract that includes pension contributions and health benefits. (Associated Press)
EMISSIONS: The U.S. EPA today is expected to propose regulations aimed at cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by up to 45 percent over the next decade from 2012 levels. (Reuters)
FLORIDA: Is there enough oil in the Everglades to risk drilling there? An assessment with the energy policy chief at Florida International Univ. (WLRN, South Florida Public Radio)
UTILITIES: Appalachian Power customers might have to pay to maintain two recently closed power plants in West Virginia. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
NUCLEAR:
• The Florida PSC holds a hearing today about a utility’s request for more than $34 million in advanced nuclear cost recovery funds from customers. (The Bradenton Times)
• A mining company is asserting a 33-year ban on developing uranium deposits in south central Virginia for nuclear reactors is unconstitutional. (Southern Environmental Law Center blog)
OFFSHORE DRILLING: A Gulf of Mexico platform operator is facing federal criminal charges in connection with a 2012 explosion off Louisiana’s coast that left three workers dead and others badly injured. (Associated Press)
2010 BP OIL SPILL: The Gulf Coast Restoration Council, a body set up by Congress to handle money derived from fines from the spill, released a list of the projects it wants to fund. (WUSF, South Florida Public Media)
COMMENTARY:
• Solar power is becoming a key part of a Virginia community’s energy blueprint. (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)
• The TVA’s 20-year power supply plan falls short of considering more electricity from clean technologies. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy blog)
• Both sides in debates over where to site pipelines and solar farms need a reality check. (The News Virginian)