In a first, N.C. town sues Duke Energy for climate ​“deception”

UTILITIES: The town of Carrboro, North Carolina, sues Duke Energy, alleging the utility stalled the transition to renewables and continued emitting greenhouse gases for decades by deceiving the public about climate change. (Raleigh News & Observer, New York Times)

GRID:

• Texas officials discuss growing concerns about a state program to pay for backup power generators at critical facilities after an advisory group raised questions about the size of such facilities and whether they can use taxpayer-funded power systems to sell electricity back to the state market. (Dallas Morning News)
• Facebook’s parent company announces a $10 billion data center in Louisiana that will be powered by a previously announced gas-fired power plant. (Louisiana Illuminator)
• The Texas grid’s meteorologist says weather patterns are lining up to potentially produce a sudden freeze this season that could cause forced power outages, even as utilities complete preparations and mandated inspections ahead of winter. (Houston Chronicle)
• A Memphis, Tennessee, business official reveals Elon Musk’s supercomputer recently doubled in processing power and is adding more battery packs to run independently of the municipal power grid. (Commercial Appeal)

WIND: Arkansas lawmakers discuss the emergence of the state’s first wind farms, including hearing from a Washington state lawmaker who argued renewables transfer wealth to foreign countries. (Arkansas Advocate)

SOLAR:

• An entrepreneur builds a Georgia startup that aims to facilitate solar installations and provide on-the-job training to more women and minority workers. (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy)
• A Virginia county considers a draft comprehensive plan that would preserve nearly 50% of land for farmland and open space, restricting solar development but making no mention of the county’s booming data centers or how to accommodate their power needs. (Mecklenburg Sun)

OIL & GAS:

• Federal regulators rescind their approval of a massive Louisiana liquified natural gas export terminal that opponents have labeled as a ​“carbon bomb” until it performs an additional air pollution study. (Floodlight)
• Mississippi regulators approve a utility’s sale of its natural gas assets to a Louisiana-based company. (WJTV)

NUCLEAR: A Tennessee advisory council issues its final report, affirming the governor’s push to develop more nuclear energy and attract companies that are part of the nuclear supply chain. (Nashville Banner)

RENEWABLES:

• Oklahoma signs a memorandum of understanding with Denmark that could lead to the development of more renewable energy and a green methanol power production facility. (Oklahoman)
• An analysis finds Texas just edged out California for the highest percentage of job listings for clean energy jobs in July and August. (Houston Chronicle)

OVERSIGHT: A Texas energy regulator announces plans to resign at the end of the year, following another commissioner and leaving the board shorthanded just as the state legislature convenes. (Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE: Charlotte, North Carolina, updates its community plan to add a carbon pollution inventory and climate risk assessment as the city aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. (WFAE)