ELECTRIC FORD F-150: Ford’s electric F-150 generates buzz among truck owners, car dealers and economic developers in the Georgia county where its batteries are being built, though availability and affordability concerns remain. (New York Times)
ALSO:
• Officials say Ford should begin producing electric trucks from its new planned Tennessee factory by 2025. (WMC)
• Tennessee’s chief economic recruiter aims to build on electric vehicle wins that include expansions or new plants by Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Volkswagen. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The Georgia community near Hyundai’s planned electric vehicle factory prepares for additional activity created by 8,100 new jobs at what will be the state’s largest economic development project. (Savannah Morning News)
• The University of Alabama will receive nearly $8 million in federal funding for new electric buses. (Tuscaloosa News)
• Louisville, Kentucky’s transit agency receives $7.4 million in federal grants to buy electric buses and build on its charging system. (WFPL)
• Georgia rolls out a state plan to boost electric vehicle charging in the state’s rural and underserved communities, although details remain murky. (Georgia Recorder)
NUCLEAR: The Tennessee Valley Authority signs an agreement with a Canadian nuclear power group to develop and build 300 MW small modular reactors. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
SOLAR:
• A Virginia city enters into a purchase power agreement with American Municipal Power to obtain 20 MW from a 150 MW solar farm in Ohio. (Danville Register & Bee)
• A Virginia county planning board recommends approval for a 11.45 MW solar project. (Southwest Times)
• A utility signs a purchase agreement with a 240 MW solar farm in Louisiana. (Renewables Now)
• Tennessee residents complain a solar installation company isn’t following through on its promises to deliver solar panels and lower energy bills. (WTVF)
PIPELINES:
• Progressive Congress members look askance at legislation favored by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin that would speed permitting for construction projects and approve the Mountain Valley Pipeline. (Roll Call)
• Activists continue their fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline even after Manchin conditioned his approval of climate legislation on its completion. (VPM)
WIND:
• A coalition of offshore wind developers, manufacturers and labor groups sees vast economic potential near North Carolina after Democrats’ climate package lifts a 10-year moratorium on offshore wind energy leasing. (Coastal Review)
• A Texas grid official explains wind turbines must sometimes be turned off during periods of high wind to limit the power transmitted to the grid and keep it from overloading. (KHOU)
STORAGE: A South Korean battery-making company buys a stake in a North Carolina company that makes products to customize control of electrical infrastructure such as batteries and electric vehicle chargers. (Korea Herald)
CARBON CAPTURE: A company wants to use carbon capture and sequestration to make “blue ammonia” at a planned $2 billion Louisiana plant. (The Advocate)
UTILITIES: Memphis, Tennessee’s municipal utility expects electricity bills to decline in September because the Tennessee Valley Authority’s fuel cost adjustment is going down. (Commercial Appeal)
OVERSIGHT: Amidst a wave of retirements at Southeastern utilities, Entergy’s CEO says he’ll step down in 2023. (Power)
COMMENTARY: A Southeast clean energy advocacy group spotlights the utilities demonstrating the most solar ambition and those that are lagging. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)
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