Feds threaten Colonial Pipeline with big daily fine over leaks

PIPELINES: The federal government threatens to fine Colonial Pipeline $200,000 per day over a massive gasoline spill unless the company installs a better leak detection system. (Charlotte Observer)

ALSO:
• The defeat of the Byhalia Connection Pipeline in Memphis began with a 2017 protest of a pipeline from Oklahoma, which spurred an environmental movement around the city’s underground water aquifer. (Daily Memphian)
• Central Virginia residents celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s cancellation. (Daily Progress)

OIL & GAS:
• The developer of a natural gas plant in eastern Virginia cancels the project amid community opposition. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• A ​“mystery seller” divests from a mineral and royalty portfolio that includes hundreds of natural gas wells spanning 15,000 net acres in northwest Louisiana. (The Advocate)
• Louisiana officials propose new rules over oil tank batteries after an explosion kills a 14-year-old. (The Advocate)

BIOMASS: Europe’s designation of wood pellets as a renewable energy source drives up demand for biomass and hurts marginalized communities in North Carolina near where the pellets are produced. (CNN)

WIND: The federal government releases a ​“request for interest” to gauge the feasibility of offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Mexico. (NOLA.com)

GRID:
• Texas’ grid manager called for conservation measures in June after 155 power generators had unplanned outages, including 109 plants that also failed during February’s winter storm. (Austin American-Statesman)
• As Texas lawmakers convene for a special session, some call for reform of the state’s electric grid by connecting it to other grids, increasing oversight of natural gas-fired power plants and other measures. (KUT)
• Mississippi regulators consider a company’s planned improvements to transmission lines. (Delta Democrat-Times)

SOLAR:
• Details about Amazon’s plan to buy power from 14 renewable projects, including two new solar farms in Arkansas, remain fuzzy as officials seek more information. (Arkansas Business)
• Solar advocates call for Georgia to lift a cap on a pilot rooftop program to avoid a slowdown in solar installations. (Capitol Beat News Service/​Albany Herald)
• Tesla partners with a real estate developer and another company to announce a solar-based community in Texas. (KVUE)
• A solar company with nine projects representing 600 MW of capacity discusses the development of two solar farms in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle. (The Journal)

EMISSIONS:
• State-owned South Carolina utility Santee Cooper is fined for air pollution violations at two coal-fired plants and a natural gas-fired plant. (The State)
• Environmentalists are closely watching Texas oil and gas operations to ensure they comply with new federal rules requiring more stringent detection of methane leaks. (Texas Climate News)

UTILITIES: The Tennessee Valley Authority’s growing use of water to power a natural gas plant in the Memphis area prompts the city’s utility to consider leaving TVA for a new power supplier. (Daily Memphian)

COAL: Retirees from coal companies owned by the family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice struggle through frequent interruptions in prescription drug coverage. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

COMMENTARY: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders to pile new ​“reliability costs” on wind and solar while creating subsidies for coal, natural gas and nuclear weakens Texas’ power grid, writes an editorial board. (Houston Chronicle)