On climate, coal companies sing a different tune to SEC

CLIMATE: An analysis finds coal companies don’t dispute global warming in filings for which they are legally liable. (Greenwire)

ALSO:
• A Florida agency disputes a report that one of its employees was suspended for discussing climate change, as climate advocates say they will file public records requests related to the controversy. (SaintPetersBlog)
• Georgia lawmakers advance legislation calling for less-stringent carbon targets under the Clean Power Plan. (Savannah Morning News)

COAL:
• A Republican congressman says shutting down Florida coal plants ​“would adversely affect the manatee.” (McClatchy)
• Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell embarks on a sweeping national effort to protect the coal industry from climate regulations. (New York Times)

COAL ASH:
• The North Carolina legislature will appeal a court decision over appointment powers to a state coal ash commission. (Charlotte Observer)
• The Sierra Club sues a Virginia utility, alleging Clean Water Act violations from coal ash stored at a plant set to be closed this year. (Virginian-Pilot)

SOLAR: Utilities oppose a North Carolina bill that would allow third-party solar ownership. (Charlotte Business Journal)

FRACKING:
• A drilling company sues a West Virginia town to acquire water from a nearby reservoir for fracking operations. (The Intelligencer/​Wheeling News-Register)
• The Arkansas Senate approves a bill exempting frac sand from sales taxes. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
• A controversial fracking project in Louisiana, still being challenged in court, obtains a state permit. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

PIPELINES:
• Property owners sue to block surveying for a proposed natural gas pipeline between West Virginia and Virginia. (Associated Press)
• A review of West Virginia pipeline incidents from 2003-2014 finds 5 fatalities and more than $13 million in property damage. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)

UTILITIES:
• Jacksonville, Florida’s municipal utility is getting into the natural gas business. (Financial News & Daily Record)
• Residents of a North Carolina beach town protest utility tree-trimming practices. (Wilmington Star-News)

EFFICIENCY: A New Orleans program helps low-income residents obtain high-efficiency light bulbs. (WDSU)

COMMENTARY: The utility industry ​“has launched a campaign using politics and backroom deals to try and squash their solar competition and preserve their outdated monopoly business model.” (Huffington Post)