OVERSIGHT: Texas and West Virginia’s attorneys general aim to build on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting the U.S. EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases by claiming it allows Texas to block a company’s federal license to store radioactive waste and lets West Virginia sue to block a requirement that companies report their climate risks. (Associated Press)
WIND: Officials say political divisions in North Carolina mean it’s not fully prepared to develop offshore wind despite two planned projects. (Fayetteville Observer)
SOLAR:
• A Virginia county approves permits for 5 MW and 3 MW solar farms after hearing concerns from neighbors about flooding and how the panels would affect the view. (Martinsville Bulletin)
• Georgia officials warn residents to be wary in shopping for rooftop solar as bad actors look to take advantage of the growing industry. (WAGA)
• Two community colleges in Appalachian Virginia train workers to install solar systems at area schools. (Virginia Business)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Tesla sues Louisiana over a law it says unfairly restricts its ability to sell electric vehicles directly to customers. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)
• Virginia has adopted California’s assertive approach to the electric vehicle transition but lags its neighbors in winning manufacturing announcements. (Virginia Business)
• Florida awards more than $68 million from the Volkswagen settlement to purchase 227 electric transit buses in 13 counties. (news release)
• Alabama looks to build its automotive manufacturing workforce as Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plants in the state begin making electric and hybrid vehicles. (WABM)
UTILITIES: Three of the six suburbs around Memphis, Tennessee, approve resolutions calling on the city to stick with the Tennessee Valley Authority instead of seeking another power provider. (WATN)
GRID: Entergy rebuilds transmission lines and towers along the Mississippi River near New Orleans a year after Hurricane Ida destroyed them. (WWL-TV)
FINANCE:
• Financial companies nervously eye Texas’ law requiring divestment from companies that don’t do business with the fossil fuel industry amid concerns they could lose pension-management contracts. (Reuters)
• Experts say Texas’ ban on doing business with firms that “boycott” fossil fuels and guns is already costing state taxpayers millions of dollars annually. (NPR)
NUCLEAR: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham meet with energy officials to discuss more nuclear power in the state despite its previous misadventure involving a $9 billion nuclear plant expansion that was eventually scuttled. (Post and Courier)
EFFICIENCY: Environmental groups ask Texas regulators to adopt higher conservation goals with more commitment to energy efficiency programs. (Spectrum News)
CLIMATE:
• A mountainous Virginia county rebuilds a year after flooding killed one person and damaged dozens of structures, although it was denied federal relief money and is still trying to access state funds. (Cardinal News)
• An analysis finds three Texas counties will experience an average of 25 more days each year that feel like 100 degrees or more. (Axios)
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