Georgia utility to offer ​‘green bonds’ for clean energy projects

CLEAN ENERGY: Southern Co. becomes the first investment-grade utility in the U.S. to offer ​“green bonds” for renewable energy projects. (Atlanta Business Chronicle)

CLIMATE:
• A new report ranks Mississippi among the states least prepared for climate change. (International Business Times)
• A study of six cities, including Raleigh and Tampa, finds politicization of climate science is holding back adaptation efforts. (ClimateWire)

CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• A report finds Arkansas can comply with the carbon rules without raising utility rates. (Southwest Times Record)
• Morehouse College in Atlanta will host an event today with local clergy to support the Clean Power Plan. (news release)
• A Kentucky regulator warns lawmakers to prepare a state plan in case litigation fighting the plan fails. (WEKU)

SOLAR:
• A Virginia farm is developing what could be the state’s largest private solar array, but not without difficulty: ​“It was clear that solar power production was actively discouraged by law.” (Loudoun Times-Mirror)
• A Florida utility will lease 600 acres of U.S. Navy land for two large solar projects. (WUWF)

COAL: A study recommends the closure of a Georgia coal plant. (Utility Dive)

COAL ASH: Amid a challenge from the state’s governor, a North Carolina coal ash panel may run out of time before performing one of its key functions. (Charlotte Observer)

BLANKENSHIP TRIAL: Jurors have not yet reached a verdict after their first full day of deliberations. (Associated Press)

UTILITIES:
• Utilities were among the top spenders on lobbying in Florida in the previous quarter. (SaintPetersBlog)
• A survey finds the value of property owned by utilities in West Virginia increased last year. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• A study finds a Virginia utility’s capital spending will have $10 billion in economic impact in the state over the next 10 years. (Associated Press)

FRACKING: West Virginia lawmakers will again consider a ​“forced pooling” bill that would allow drilling even if some landowners object. (NGI Shale Daily)

NUCLEAR: Florida regulators approve $1.3 billion in bonds for the decommissioning of the Crystal River nuclear plant. (Charlotte Business Journal)

GRID: Duke Energy has completed construction of a 2 MW energy storage facility at a retired Ohio coal plant. (Charlotte Business Journal)

EFFICIENCY: Knoxville, Tennessee will hold a summit for landlords interested in efficiency upgrades for their rental properties. (Knoxville News Sentinel)

BIOENERGY: Toyota will begin powering a Kentucky plant on landfill gas later this month. (Biomass Magazine)

COMMENTARY: Why are Southeast utilities investing in clean energy outside their home territory? (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)