Despite permit pause, federal regulators approve largest LNG plant yet

OIL & GAS: Federal regulators approve the $10 billion Calcasieu Pass 2 liquified natural gas export terminal in Louisiana despite the Biden administration’s pause on permitting such projects; the company says it’s still waiting for approval to export the fuel. (Floodlight)

ALSO: Virginia residents protest potential construction of a 1,000 MW gas-fired power plant, although a Dominion Energy official says it hasn’t yet finalized its decision where to build the project. (WRIC)

CLIMATE: An Alabama grant program to strengthen roofs to lower insurance premiums and stave off a climate-related withdrawal by insurance companies has become a model that’s been replicated by at least five other states. (Stateline)

SOLAR:

• A Mississippi public service commission considers a proposal to build a 200 MW solar farm. (WABG)
• Construction of a 130 MW solar farm in Virginia nears completion. (Winchester Star)
• Two South Carolina businesses receive federal grants to install rooftop solar arrays. (WRDW)

NUCLEAR:

• The eventual — but stalled and over-budget — success of Georgia’s Plant Vogtle is sparking optimism in the state and beyond, especially after the passage of $900 million for small nuclear development. (E&E News)
• The Southern Company’s CEO calls for the development of an additional 10 GW of nuclear capacity. (Reuters)

HYDROGEN:

• A Texas plant illustrates how water can be turned into hydrogen-based fuel, but the power-intensive process relies on massive numbers of wind and solar plants. (Washington Post)
• ExxonMobil partners with a company to build and operate four air separation units to provide oxygen and nitrogen for a hydrogen plant in Texas. (Utility Dive)
• A company announces plans to build a $400 million Virginia factory to make solid oxide electrolysis cells used to produce hydrogen. (Utility Dive)

EMISSIONS: The U.S. Supreme Court pauses the U.S. EPA’s planned ​“good neighbor” rule to reduce the amount of smog that crosses state lines, which was challenged by West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and industry groups. (Texas Tribune)

PIPELINES: A firm files a lawsuit by 35 Oklahoma landowners to force a pipeline company to clean up their properties. (KWTV)

OVERSIGHT:

• Elected officials and experts agree on the need to revamp South Carolina’s energy policy to account for growing demand and the transition to renewables, but differ on policy specifics. (Charleston City Paper)
• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appoints a previous consumer advocate to a utility regulatory board. (Utility Dive)
• More than 100 of Texas’ 254 counties, most of them rural, lack a hazard mitigation plan required to access federal disaster preparation funding. (Texas Tribune)

COAL: An energy company tells Texas regulators it plans to restart a 779 MW coal-fired unit that’s been down since March for maintenance. (Reuters)

GRID:

• Tennessee Valley Authority officials say the regional power grid is carrying ​“a pretty healthy load” with summer heat driving up demand. (Chattanooga Times Free Press, subscription)
• Appalachian Power officials announce a public meeting about its plans to build six miles of new transmission line and a substation. (Cardinal News)

CLEAN ENERGY: An Oklahoma economic development authority receives $100,000 in federal funding to attract clean energy companies. (KWTV)

COMMENTARY: A West Virginia lawmaker touts the state’s oil and gas industry along with the potential for carbon capture and hydrogen projects. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)