After $9B fiasco, South Carolina group wants to try nuclear again

NUCLEAR: A South Carolina nuclear advisory group pushes to restart construction of two nuclear reactors as part of a scheme that previously saw the state-owned utility and a now-defunct electric company sink $9 billion into a failed plan that left taxpayers on the hook for billions. (South Carolina Daily Gazette)

WIND: A company begins construction of a 135 MW wind farm in Arkansas, and is considering sites for more. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, subscription)

SOLAR:

• A landscaping company that leases 800 sheep to clear vegetation around Virginia solar farms studies the possibility of using cows for the same job. (Cardinal News)
• Duke Energy shares drone footage of a Florida solar farm wrecked by a tornado that was spawned by Hurricane Milton. (USA Today)
• A company announces a new partnership to build solar and battery systems to meet growing power demand in Virginia. (news release)

STORAGE: An electric vehicle battery maker agrees to pay $31 million to a nearby recycling center after lithium-ion battery scraps sparked a fire that destroyed the facility in 2023. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, subscription)

GRID: Crews have restored power to all but several hundred customers after Hurricane Milton caused 77% of homes and businesses to lose power in two Florida counties. (Daytona Beach News-Journal)

CARBON CAPTURE: A study at a gas-fired Alabama power plant finds the use of exhaust gas recirculation can reduce the cost of carbon capture. (Power Engineering)

CLIMATE:

• The Southeast braces for spikes in its insurance rates after Hurricanes Helene and Milton cost the insurance industry as much as $55 billion. (NOLA.com)
• Soaring insurance rates driven by growing climate risk endanger the construction of affordable housing by driving up costs. (WHQR)
• A rapid attribution study finds climate change warmed the ocean and intensified both the wind and rain during Hurricane Milton. (WFLA)

UTILITIES:

• Documents reveal how Duke Energy’s subsidiary in the Carolinas contributed $25,000 in 2021 to a conservative think tank that’s played a role in doubting climate change. (Energy and Policy Institute)
• Dominion Energy’s long-term planning documents indicate that over the next 15 years it intends to build 12,000 MW of new solar, 4,500 MW of battery storage and 3,400 MW of new wind energy in addition to its offshore facility near Virginia, plus more nuclear and gas power. (Virginia Business)

POLITICS:

• “What the hell was that?” Florida activists criticize Gov. Ron DeSantis for denying climate change and rejecting federal funding even as the state is slammed by two strong hurricanes. (Florida Phoenix)
• Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announces the creation of a state office to respond to lingering damage by the remnants of Hurricane Helene last month. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

COMMENTARY:

• A Florida city with underground power lines experiences only 340 outages during Hurricane Milton, demonstrating the efficacy of burying lines, writes a columnist. (Orlando Sentinel)
• An Appalachian advocacy group and environmental law center criticize Dominion Energy’s long-term resource plan for relying too much on natural gas as Virginia seeks to reduce power plant emissions by mid-century. (news release)