Plugging Louisiana’s orphan oil, gas wells could add jobs, cut emissions

OIL & GAS: Plugging Louisiana’s 4,300 abandoned oil and gas wells could cut methane emissions by 558 metric tons a year and employ 1,000 workers full-time for a year, according to an environmental think tank’s study. (NOLA.com)

ALSO:
• Tellurian considers cost-cutting for an LNG export facility it’s building in Louisiana, including the potential removal of the Permian pipeline, one analyst says. (Reuters)
• A Louisiana oil and gas company will lay off 273 workers after filing for bankruptcy. (KTAAL/KMSS)

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PIPELINES: Kinder Morgan lost $637 million in the second quarter as it wrote down the value of its pipelines in states such as North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas. (Houston Chronicle)

SOLAR: A solar advocacy group launches a solar cooperative in Miami-Dade County to help residents and businesses afford to go solar. (Floridian Press)

UTILITIES: Entergy Arkansas customers will receive a credit next month after state regulators reject the company’s attempt to delay a $15 million refund. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette)

COAL:
• Rhino Resource Partners, a coal company that purchased assets from bankrupt coal company Blackjewel last year, files for bankruptcy protection. (WYMT)
• As coal companies — and now, oil and gas companies — file for bankruptcy to stay alive, concerns arise about unpaid workers and pensions. (The New Republic)

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WIND: A company that manufactures equipment used to produce solar cells will purchase energy from a Texas wind farm to power its operations. (Renewables Now)

COMMENTARY:
• An organizer writes that former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a pipeline ​“cheerleader,” is not a good choice for governor. (Roanoke Times)
• A hydrogen fuel cell researcher says hydrogen-powered energy has the potential to decarbonize the economy in Texas and the Gulf Coast. (Houston Chronicle)