Appalachia caught in the middle of petrochemical hub debate

NOTE TO READERS: Southeast Energy News will be taking a break for Independence Day. We will return on Tuesday, July 7.

OIL & GAS: While a new report from the Trump administration suggests the Ohio Valley’s growing petrochemical industry could be an unprecedented source of economic opportunity, a clean energy group’s recent analysis paints a much less rosy picture. (Ohio Valley Resource)

ALSO:
• A Houston energy company that was once among the largest drillers in south Texas emerges from bankruptcy with a new CEO and new name. (Houston Chronicle)
• A bill introduced by Texas and Oklahoma lawmakers would provide tax and regulatory relief for energy companies hit hard by the pandemic. (Nexstar)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join Southern Alliance for Clean Energy & Electrify the South for a free virtual Electric Vehicle test drive to see why so many people are going electric. Learn more & register here: https://www.electrifythesouth.org/events.***

RENEWABLES:
• Customer-owned renewable energy in Florida nearly doubled in 2019 since utilities are required to offer expedited interconnection agreements, according to a report by state regulators. (Utility Dive)
• Energy giant Engie announces it will partner with an investor on a 2.3 GW portfolio of wind and solar projects in five states, including Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. (Greentech Media)

SOLAR: Ocala, Florida, is one of six cities that will get energy from a new solar farm, but the power is still more expensive than electricity produced with natural gas and coal, so officials are allowing customers to opt-in. (Ocala Star Banner)

COAL:
• A year after the Blackjewel coal bankruptcy and miners’ protest in Kentucky, many miners are adapting to new lives outside mining. (WYMT)
• A consultant for Lafayette Utilities System in Louisiana says the city-owned utility should drop a coal plant it co-owns in favor of localized power production. (Daily Advertiser)
• A reporter discusses his investigation into how bonding programs and insurance companies backing millions of dollars in mine cleanup obligations are on the brink. (WVPB)

***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Networks’ 40 Under 40 today.***

PIPELINES: An activist in Northampton County, North Carolina continues to fight the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and other industries trying to build in her predominantly Black community. (INDY Week)

COMMENTARY: A clean energy group outlines policy priorities for the Southeast following their annual report on solar in the region. (SACE)