North Carolina electrification program launches amid federal uncertainty

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EFFICIENCY

• North Carolina launches an electrification program with more than $208 million dollars in federally funded rebates for homeowners to convert to electric appliances and make other energy-efficient improvements, but advocates worry President Trump’s assault on clean energy programs could diminish its reach. (Canary Media)
• The Tennessee Valley Authority makes several changes to its home efficiency rebate program, including removing rebates for certain windows and heat pumps but doubling the rebate for a geothermal system. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

SOLAR

Virginia lawmakers kill a bill to create a state board to provide guidance for proposed solar projects, which opponents said would impose upon local governments’ regulatory authority. (Cardinal News)

PIPELINES

The Mountain Valley Pipeline formally files an application to change a planned spur into North Carolina to make it shorter but use a much larger pipe, prompting opponents to argue that the move makes the spur a new project that needs to restart with a new application. (Inside Climate News, WVTF)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Oklahoma state officials wonder how Trump’s freeze of funding from the Biden-era infrastructure package will affect $66 million to install electric vehicle chargers as the state sees a growing number of registered EVs. (Oklahoman)
• Georgia officials and businesses wait to see how Trump’s rollback of electric vehicle initiatives will affect the state’s burgeoning EV manufacturing sector. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, subscription)
• Electric vehicle registrations jumped 30% in two Florida counties last year. (WBBH)

RENEWABLES

Oklahoma lawmakers consider a measure to require new solar, wind and battery storage projects to obtain a permit from state regulators before beginning construction. (KOSU)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Georgia regulators approve Georgia Power’s plans to postpone its coal plant retirements and use more natural gas even though hundreds of people commented and asked for more renewables instead. (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)
• Small, low-emitting oil and gas drilling sites contribute 70% of all oil and gas methane emissions in the continental U.S., according to a new study. (E&E News, subscription)
• The Arkansas attorney general responds to a convention center’s complaint about a $238,000 natural gas bill during the 2021 winter storm with a finding that ​“no price gouging occurred.” (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, subscription)

WIND

Dominion Energy adds nearly $1 billion to the projected cost of its offshore wind farm near Virginia due to grid upgrades and onshore infrastructure. (WHRO)

HYDROGEN

A company announces plans to build a $33 million hydrogen production and refueling station for heavy-duty trucks near Savannah, Georgia. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, subscription)

NUCLEAR

Texas A&M offers land to four companies to develop small modular nuclear reactors near its campus. (news release)

CLIMATE

Experts say climate change likely contributed to Florida’s record-breaking snow last month and could affect its upcoming hurricane season. (Tampa Bay Times)

UTILITIES

• Virginia lawmakers pass legislation to limit Appalachian Power bill increases, although each chamber passed different versions that will need to be rectified before the bills are sent to the governor. (Cardinal News)
• The Tennessee Valley Authority seeks public feedback on its plans to build a new substation and transmission lines in one Tennessee county and to build a small modular nuclear reactor in another county. (news release, Roane County News)