EMISSIONS: A new report finds the U.S. EPA’s proposed methane regulations could create between 19,000 and 35,000 jobs within Texas’ oil and gas industry to measure, monitor and mitigate the gas, even as state officials ding the proposed rule as a job killer. (Inside Climate News)
SOLAR: Solar project development comes to a halt in a Louisiana parish after its board voted against future tax exemptions due to concern about the loss of grazing land for cattle. (WVUE)
OIL & GAS:
• Oil refiners look to expand their output in Louisiana and Texas as they run their facilities above 90% capacity to keep up with high prices and expectations of increased demand for seasonal travel. (Reuters)
• The head of the top oil-exporting port in the U.S. unexpectedly resigns after a heated meeting with one of its commissioners. (Reuters, Corpus Christi Caller Times)
• A new study finds the oil and gas industry brought $54 billion to Louisiana in 2021. (Greater Baton Rouge Business Report)
WIND: Federal habitat conservation experts see a spike in consultation requests, split between offshore wind projects in Virginia and North Carolina and other reef and port projects in Georgia and Florida. (Florida Politics)
UTILITIES:
• Georgia regulators approve a 12% rate hike for Georgia Power based on an agreement reached by regulatory staff last month. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Associated Press)
• Mississippi residents complain about ongoing problems with a municipal utility that’s been cited by the Tennessee Valley Authority for “operational and financial” deficiencies. (WHBQ)
• An investment firm that previously pressed energy companies to alter operations now is targeting Texas-based NRG Energy for its “unfocused, overleveraged business model.” (Utility Dive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs into law a bill requiring new electric vehicle owners to pay $400 to register their vehicles, plus $200 each year for renewal. (Austin American-Statesman)
• A company announces it will build a Georgia research and testing facility as a hub for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• South Carolina lawmakers approve public financing for a rail line promised to Volvo as part of the 2015 incentive package that brought the automaker to the state. (Post and Courier)
• Oklahoma transportation officials request proposals for building out electric vehicle infrastructure. (KAMR)
• A North Carolina auto dealership chain obtains its first demonstration vehicle from electric vehicle maker Mullen as part of a 1,000-vehicle order. (Winston-Salem Journal)
NUCLEAR: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announces he’ll form a nuclear energy advisory council to promote the industry and decide how to allocate $50 million in state nuclear power incentives. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
GRID: A Texas city navigates state and federal approvals to allow it to switch the remaining 30% of customers to the state power grid. (KCBD)
PIPELINES: U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is heartened by the U.S. Forest Service’s approval of a key permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, although the project still faces regulatory and legal hurdles. (WV Metro News)
COMMENTARY:
• A college student says Texas “is shooting itself in the foot” as lawmakers try to incentivize new construction of fossil fuel plants while throttling renewables. (San Antonio Express-News)
• Coal magnate and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s challenge to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin will keep the state’s focus firmly on coal and prevent Manchin from tilting too far away from fealty to the fossil fuel, writes a former editor. (Cumberland Times-News)
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