Energy Report News Bites

Focusing on the Sun

Danville, Va., recently approved two new solar projects to replace a power supply contract that will expire in 2021. The solar projects were the most affordable option due in part to federal tax credits available to the solar providers.

Too Close to Home

A new study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One concludes that the minimum safe distance between a fracking facility and the nearest occupied building should be a quarter of a mile, which is more than twice the distance currently required by most states.

Frack Water Impacts

While the number of new fracking wells in the United States decreased, the amount of water used by each well has increased by 770 percent between 2011 and 2016, according to an August study published in Science Advances. Simultaneously, the amount of toxic wastewater generated by the process increased by as much as 1440 percent.

Tax Breaks for Coal

As the state’s Public Employees Insurance Agency considers an increase in the taxes charged to extractive industries to generate revenue, the West Virginia Coal Association is asking for the 5 percent in taxes the industry currently pays to be reduced to 2 percent. — By Elizabeth E. Payne