The Energy Report
North Carolina Issues General Biogas Permit
On July 1, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality issued a general permit for biogas digesters that convert animal waste into methane for energy production, as required by the N.C. 2021 Farm Act.
Read MoreBiden Administration Proposes Restoration of Mercury Pollution Rules
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed reinstating a legal finding that supports restrictions on the amount of mercury that may be discharged by power plants.
Read MoreAlign RNG Settlement Spotlights Biogas Plant Regulation
After the first settlement of its kind in North Carolina capping limits on emissions from a biogas plant in Sampson County, environmental advocates hope the agreement sets the stage for stricter statewide regulation of the processing of animal waste from concentrated feeding operations into fuel or biogas.
Read MoreLooming Uncertainty Over Future of Abandoned Mine Land Cleanup
Congress has allowed the Abandoned Mine Lands program to expire, and advocates said nationwide on both state and tribal lands, residents face uncertainty over the future of environmental cleanup and economic recovery on lands once used to mine coal.
Read MoreNC Energy Bill Gets Criticism for Cost, Climate-Change Effectiveness
Industrial consumers, environmental advocates and residential ratepayers in North Carolina have voiced concerns over a new energy bill critics say was created with outsized input from Duke Energy.
Read MoreCreating a Future for Coal-Industry Workers in Clean-Energy Economy
Experts say that coal workers will need wage replacement and retraining to successfully transition to a clean energy economy.
Read MoreN.C. Legislators Release Controversial Energy Bill
N.C. House Republicans unsuccessfully proposed a bill after months of secret negotiations with Duke Energy and others that would have cleared the way for multi-year rate hikes, a massive build-out of natural gas infrastructure and more.
Read MoreAgencies Weigh Mountain Valley Pipeline Water Crossing Permits
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to make a decision on a key Clean Water Act certification for the fracked-gas pipeline by the end of June as Virginia and West Virginia consider stream crossing permits.
Read MoreBringing Shared Solar to Southwest Virginia
Shared or community solar can be a good way to experience the benefits of solar without a high upfront cost. But customers of Appalachian Power in Southwest Virginia are still prohibited by state law from installing shared solar arrays.
Read MoreN.C. Upholds MVP Southgate Permit Denial
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality again rejected a permit for Mountain Valley Pipeline’s proposed extension into the state. MVP also announced another delay and cost increase for the 300-mile fracked-gas pipeline.
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