Southeast Energy News is one of five regional services published by the Energy News Network. Today’s edition was compiled by Mason Adams.
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BIOFUELS: North Carolina residents complain that utilities’ and industrial farms’ growing interest in biogas obscures massive problems with hog farm waste that emits potent odors and pollution. (Southerly/Scalawag)
WIND: Virginia’s Republican attorney general tells state regulators Dominion Energy’s proposal for offshore wind is not needed to produce electricity, costs two to three times more than solar energy, and that the utility is overstating the project’s economic benefits. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
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EMISSIONS:
• A satellite spots large plumes of methane over an Alabama coal-mining basin, although coal companies on the ground deny any large leaks. (Bloomberg)
• New data shows Charlottesville, Virginia, is on track to meet its goal of cutting carbon emissions by 45% by 2030. (WVIR)
UTILITIES:
• Grid operator MISO will court Memphis, Tennessee, officials this week as it seeks to replace the Tennessee Valley Authority as the city’s power provider. (Commercial Appeal)
• State-owned South Carolina utility Santee Cooper looks to cut its budget by $100 million because of rising fuel costs and restrictions on raising rates. (Associated Press)
OIL & GAS:
• An environmental law firm sues the Tennessee Valley Authority for redacting its contracts with two natural gas pipeline companies in a public records release. (Associated Press)
• A Texas journalist discusses labor shortages, hesitant investors, and other challenges that oil and gas companies face as they try to quickly ramp up oil production. (KBTX)
• Southern Co. Gas aims to attain net-zero carbon emissions while maintaining its natural gas distribution system by focusing on renewable gas projects and high-efficiency gas heating equipment. (S&P Global)
STORAGE: Tesla plans a large battery project at its Texas factory to complement its planned solar array and mitigate potential troubles with the state power grid. (Electrek)
RENEWABLES: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott touts the state’s growing wind and solar energy production in a speech to a group from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (Houston Chronicle)
COAL:
• A federal judge rules a coal company’s clean-up plan for southern West Virginia doesn’t adequately address its toxic discharges. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• Federal officials charge a Kentucky coal company executive for allegedly embezzling money from investors and filing false tax returns. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
• Federal regulators propose penalties against two companies after a worker fell and was electrocuted at a Tennessee coal-fired power plant scheduled for retirement in 2023. (Oak Ridger)
CRYPTOCURRENCY: A Texas city amends its ordinances to reflect a growing number of crypto mining operations, but planners say they’re unlikely to approve more mining setups for now because of growing concern about the power grid’s ability to meet the industry’s needs. (KBTX)
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COMMENTARY:
• Arkansas must invest in electric vehicle charging stations and other infrastructure to prepare for economic development opportunities, writes an editorial board. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
• An official with an environmental law firm criticizes Virginia legislation to create a new category of more expensive, “low-emission natural gas” as unlikely to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Virginia Mercury)
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