The Energy Report
Groups Test Boundaries of N.C. Solar Laws
In a direct challenge to North Carolina laws governing electricity sales, clean energy group NC WARN financed a solar project on a church roof and plans to sell the energy to the church for about half of Duke Energy’s solar rate.
Read MoreReport Analyzes Economic Impact of Abandoned Mine Lands Program
A new report examines how federal funding to remediate abandoned mine lands could be implemented in a way that helps Appalachian communities struggling with coal’s decline.
Read MoreVirginia Utilities Release Generation Plans
Appalachian Power Company and Dominion Power released their electric power generation plans this July. While APC released a comprehensive energy generation plan plotting the next 15 years, Dominion released a short-term plan with different options.
Read MoreData Showing Decline in Surface Coal Production Raises Questions
Data shows a steep decline in coal production from Appalachian surface mines, yet the data doesn’t fully account for the extent of mountaintop removal coal mining.
Read MoreEnergy Report News Bites
The Southeast’s First Utility-Scale Wind Farm Breaks Ground, Clean Water Act Clarified, and Air Pollution Standards Challenged in N.C.
Read MoreContaminated Drinking Wells Near Ash Ponds
As of July, the N.C. health department sent “do not drink” notices to 301 homeowners near coal ash ponds whose well water contains dangerous levels of heavy metals and other contaminants associated with coal ash.
Read MoreResidents Near Duke Ash Ponds Told To Not Drink Their Water
Across North Carolina, residents living near Duke Energy’s coal ash ponds have received letters warning them not to drink their well water. Although Duke denies responsibility for the contamination, the utility recently plead guilty to violations of the Clean Water Act in a separate case.
Read MoreLabor Dept. Audits MSHA
Following a scathing report by two media organizations into unpaid mine safety fines, the U.S. Department of Labor has announced plans to audit the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s handling of delinquent penalties. The 2014 report by NPR and Mine Safety and Health News motivated members of Congress and mine safety experts to urge the…
Read MoreNorth Carolina’s Complicated Road to Renewables
As coal ash continues to plague communities across North Carolina, the state’s legislature is debating whether to invest in or put a freeze on renewable energy. The Energy Freedom Act, introduced by House Republicans, would allow third party solar sales in the state and has the potential to increase investments in solar energy. The bill…
Read MoreMcAuliffe Fast-tracks Efficiency
Citing the clean energy sector as a “key strategic growth area” for Virginia’s economy, Governor Terry McAuliffe moved up the state’s goal to reduce retail electricity use by 10 percent from 2022 to 2020. The governor appointed 12 individuals from the public and private sector to his Executive Committee on Energy Efficiency, which is tasked…
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