Georgia utility says Clean Power Plan could close 20% of its plants

CLEAN POWER PLAN: Georgia Power says it would have to shut down one-fifth of its generating capacity if the plan survives. (Utility Dive)

NATURAL GAS: Hopes for a ​“golden age” of gas are fizzling as moderate demand and strong supplies are lowering prices – and with them some plans for Gulf of Mexico terminals to export it. (The Wall Street Journal)

CLIMATE: Norfolk, Virginia wants to become a hub for engineers to figure out ways for coastal cities to adapt to rising seas. (The Virginian-Pilot)

WASTE-TO-ENERGY: An engineering firm in North Carolina calls on the EPA to get tougher on methane emissions from landfills. (Charlotte Business Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Virginia-based Opower CEO Dan Yates responds to skeptics’ questions about how much utilities truly want to help conserve the product that makes them money. (Greentech Media)

COAL: A unit of Roanoke-based Southern Coal has agreed to clean up two mining sites in southwest Virginia and pay penalties for pollution violations. (The Roanoke Times)

PIPELINES: Dominion says it will insist on remaining the majority owner of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline after Duke Energy acquires Piedmont Natural Gas. (Charlotte Business Journal)

BLANKENSHIP TRIAL: Observers ponder the impact of testimony by a key witness viewed by some to undermine the prosecution’s case. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

UTILITIES:
• Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas face penalties if either backs out of their proposed merger. (Triad Business Journal)
• Trips to debt rating agencies by Jacksonville Electric Authority board members draw scrutiny. (Florida Times-Union)

COMMENTARY: An industry spokesperson says the debate over customer credits for excess power from solar systems is oversimplified. (Greentech Media)