North Carolina governor blocks two bills to weaken climate laws

POLITICS: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoes legislation that would redefine ​“clean energy” to promote new nuclear plants and change state regulations to speed approval of a Mountain Valley Pipeline spur and ease regulation of hog waste lagoons. (WFAE, WUNC)

ALSO: Virginia is holding unusually consequential state legislative elections this year, with landmark, Democratic-passed climate laws at stake. (E&E News)

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SOLAR:

• A study finds no loss in the market value of Texas homes located near utility-scale solar projects. (Solar Power World)
• A North Carolina county board unanimously approves an 80 MW solar farm that will be the county’s 35th solar facility. (Robesonian)

NUCLEAR: Texas regulators begin looking for ways to facilitate the development of small modular nuclear reactors in the state. (Utility Dive)

OIL & GAS: A Dallas-based company looks to sell off crude oil assets as it shifts its focus to natural gas in the Permian Basin. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)

GRID: Texas’ grid operator forecasts the possibility of a supply shortfall in December, with highest risk in the hour just before solar production ramps up. (S&P Global)

EFFICIENCY:

• The Tennessee Valley Authority restores rebates for energy efficient improvements as part of the utility’s four-year, $1.5 billion commitment to boost efficiency. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• An Alabama state program lowers the minimum loan amount for a program to help businesses become more energy efficient. (Anniston Star)

OVERSIGHT:

• Critics say the majority-white demographics of Georgia’s utility commission is leading to decisions that disproportionately affect Black and other minority communities. (Capital B)
• The U.S. Supreme Court declines to take up Kentucky’s request to revive a regulatory scheme to make state-produced coal more competitive by offering utility providers a discount on taxes. (Bloomberg Law, subscription)
• A Virginia county task force considers energy-related changes to its comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance, with local officials especially looking for recommendations on how to handle a growing number of solar farms. (Smithfield Times)

UTILITIES:

• A West Virginia gas utility officially closes on a deal to purchase another gas company, adding 13,000 customers. (WAJR)
• Dominion Energy officials urge stakeholders to reject a capital investment firm’s attempt to purchase up to 2 million shares of the utility’s common stock for below-market price. (Virginia Business, Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• A high-ranking Dominion Energy official announces her retirement at the end of the year. (Virginia Business)

COMMENTARY:

• Texas can lead the charge to build out battery storage in the U.S. with a $30 million initiative at the University of Texas at Dallas to research the battery production pipeline and build out the industry’s workforce, writes a university official. (Dallas Morning News)
• A Florida Supreme Court ruling pressing state regulators to explain their reasoning behind granting Florida Power & Light a $1.25 billion rate increase could have lasting benefits if it leads the courts to more closely scrutinize rate hikes, writes an editorial board. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)