Critics say Duke overestimating need for new power plants

UTILITIES:
• Critics contend Duke Energy manipulates how much reserve power it needs in Florida over the next 15 years to justify new power plants. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

ALSO:
• A former Florida regulator challenges the credibility of NextEra Energy in the company’s bid for Hawaiian Electric. (Pacific Business News)
• As conservation and solar energy cut ratepayers’ usage, electric utilities turn to fees for fresh revenue, riling consumer advocates. (The Wall Street Journal)

NUCLEAR:
• The Florida PSC grants Florida Power & Light’s request to charge customers $34 million to help cover costs of building a nuclear plant. (Florida Politics)
• A faulty generator shuts down a Dominion Virginia Power reactor after a companion reactor is shut for a scheduled refueling. (The Daily Press)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: West Virginia is seeking public input on the in-state impact of federal carbon emissions regulations. (The Exponent Telegram)

BIOFUELS: A Duke University professor is awarded a $5 million federal grant to explore how to make algae a cost efficient fuel source. (The Chronicle, Duke University)

HYDROPOWER: A hydropower industry group is encouraging Congress to pass bills to speed up the permitting process for new projects. (The Hill)

BLANKENSHIP TRIAL: A key question facing the judge and jury is whether Massey Energy coal miners worked deliberately to give their bosses plausible deniability. (Public Utilities Fortnightly)

TRANSPORTATION: When gasoline prices are low, U.S. consumers buy more and at higher grades. (The New York Times)

VOLKSWAGEN EMISSIONS VIOLATIONS:
• Some legal experts say the automaker could be forced to buy back affected diesel vehicles. (Associated Press)
• The expanding investigation by state attorneys general could last years and will likely end in a negotiated settlement. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY: Florida’s utility commission is failing to protect consumers by approving the pass-through of nuclear plant construction costs. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)