Gas industry lobbies states to oppose climate legislation

OIL & GAS: The gas industry has successfully lobbied for legislation in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and other states that prohibits cities from barring new natural gas hookups, part of a broader pattern of opposing climate action. (The Guardian)

ALSO:
• A West Virginia solid waste district turns down a proposal to build a compressed natural gas facility on one of its sites. (Herald Mail Media)
• North Carolina regulators will consider a petition from environmental groups to decide if Duke Energy and other utilities need state approval before modifying coal plants to burn natural gas. (Triad Business Journal, subscription)

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COAL: A West Virginian who founded a company that helps miners find work in stable industries talks about expanding Appalachia’s post-coal economy, especially after the coronavirus pandemic. (Grist)

SOLAR:
• A renewable energy company completes construction of one of the largest utility-scale solar generation facilities in Texas. (Solar Industry)
• A company breaks ground on a solar project that will supply power to Austin Energy, which plans to close its coal-fired power plant by the end of 2022. (Kallanish Energy)

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RENEWABLES: A former chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission discusses competitive power markets and how Texas, dominated by Republican politicians, became a renewable energy leader. (Greentech Media)

COMMENTARY:
• A clean energy group says a Memphis utility’s decision to request proposals for energy options other than TVA is a historic step. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)
• A college student says that as a Christian, she supports renewable energy instead of exploiting her home state for more coal. (Lexington Herald Leader)