PIPELINES: West Virginia’s DEP has ordered construction on the Rover Pipeline to stop in certain areas, noting water pollution violations caused by construction. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

ALSO:
• Following the favorable assessment from FERC last week, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline could begin construction in West Virginia this fall. (MetroNews)
• A North Carolina State University professor and Lumbee tribe member says the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would disproportionately impact Native Americans in the state. (WUNC)

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REGULATIONS: EPA head Scott Pruitt met with South Carolina utility companies and others to discuss repealing and replacing the Clean Water Rule. (Post and Courier)

UTILITIES:
• Duke Energy plans to file a rate-increase request on or around Aug. 25 to pay for its coal ash cleanup, but it is still unclear how much rates would go up. (Charlotte Observer)
• Facing opposition over a planned transmission line, Dominion Energy has asked Virginia regulators for a 60-day pause in the process. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

NUCLEAR: SCE&G postponed a briefing before South Carolina’s Public Service Commission until Aug. 1 as the utility awaits a decision by Toshiba on whether it will provide money to help complete the troubled Summer nuclear project. (The State)

OIL & GAS: The director of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association says that although production in the state continues to grow, there are factors that cause West Virginia to be viewed unfavorably by companies considering drilling there. (Register-Herald)

RENEWABLES: Dominion Energy’s proposed clean-energy option for large customers would put the utility on track to meet some of North Carolina and Virginia’s renewable energy goals. (Utility Drive)

SOLAR: After Louisiana homeowners saw a state tax credit program for solar panels revoked, the state announced it is changing course and will soon begin making payouts. (Greater Baton Rouge Business Report)

COMMENTARY: News coverage on the decline of Appalachia’s coal country doesn’t focus enough on the role coal companies, which have left behind “ripped-apart mountains, polluted water and generations of sick and disabled people.” (Washington Post)