Dominion receives final approvals for Virginia offshore wind farm

WIND: Dominion Energy receives the final two federal approvals for its $9.8 billion 176-turbine offshore wind farm near Virginia, opening the way for the utility to begin construction in May. (Virginia Business)

ALSO:

• Virginia lawmakers punt on a bill to allow power suppliers other than Dominion Energy to develop offshore wind facilities in the state. (Virginia Mercury)
• Virginia Beach residents are alarmed by state legislation to let energy projects receive state approval over local objections, particularly after the city rejected a company’s plan to bring cables onshore from its planned Kitty Hawk offshore wind project. (WTKR)

OIL & GAS:

• Duke Energy accelerates its plans to build a hydrogen-capable natural gas power plant in North Carolina because of the state’s population boom and economic growth. (WTVD, WRAL)
• An official with an oil and gas company building a large liquified natural gas terminal in Texas says the Biden administration’s pause on permitting for such projects probably won’t have much effect on its long-term plans. (Corpus Christi Caller Times)
• Phillips 66 closes a portion of an Oklahoma pipeline after a rupture and fire earlier this week. (Reuters)
• Texas officials spend $2.5 million to plug an ​“unusual” well with challenging geography and water flows that sits in the middle of a no-fly zone. (Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS:

• A federal judge blocks the U.S. EPA from enforcing rules in Louisiana that require industries to reduce toxic pollutants in minority and low-income areas to lower levels than in other areas. (NOLA.com)
• Efforts to establish a carbon tariff on imported products could carry enormous implications for Texas’ massive oil and gas industry. (Houston Chronicle)

GRID: The Texas Supreme Court hears arguments over state regulators’ decision to raise energy prices to their maximum allowable levels to incentivize power production during the 2021 winter storm. (KUT)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• After hiccups in electric vehicle maker VinFast’s U.S. launch, North Carolina officials explain how $1.25 billion in incentives to attract the company’s factory are spread out over time and can be recouped if the project fails. (Raleigh News & Observer)
• Tennessee officials announce plans to build 30 electric vehicle charging stations by 2026. (WKRN)

SOLAR: An energy company announces it’s obtained financing to move forward with a 600 MW solar farm in Texas. (Solar Industry)

UTILITIES:

• Duke Energy officials say the utility plans to build more solar power in Florida over the next two years even as they expect lower electric rates. (Orlando Sentinel)
• The former president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, who was known as a trailblazer for young Black professionals, dies at age 76. (NOLA.com)

COAL:

• Virginia scientists develop better measuring tools to help coal miners detect what’s in the air they’re breathing as federal regulators consider stricter silica rules to reduce the rate of black lung disease. (WVTF)
• Federal officials announce two labor enforcement actions involving former Blackjewel CEO Jeff Hoops, stemming from the company’s 2019 bankruptcy. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

COMMENTARY:

• Louisiana is losing residents to Texas because the state remains overly reliant on the petrochemical industry and tourism at a time when it should be investing in climate resilience, writes a conservationist. (NOLA.com)
• Federal investigators continue to look into whether attempts to privatize Jacksonville, Florida’s municipal utility were part of a kickback scheme, writes a columnist. (Florida Times-Union)

Correction: Oil companies will pay $7.4 million to settle a pipeline spill on Sac and Fox Nation land in Oklahoma. Yesterday’s edition of Southeast News included the wrong amount.