Solar on pause in Duke territory

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Southeast Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

SOLAR

• North Carolina utility regulators direct Duke Energy to pause procurement of solar power generation and battery storage until the two parties agree on an updated integrated resource plan. (E&E News)

• Orlando’s convention center completes a 2.2 MW solar installation on its roof. (Solar Power World)

• A Georgia church switches on a solar array and energy storage system that will allow it to serve as a community resilience hub. (Microgrid Knowledge)

NUCLEAR

• In Tennessee, Kairos Power breaks ground on its first commercial-scale advanced reactor, which will deliver power to the Tennessee Valley Authority and Google data centers in Georgia and Alabama. (World Nuclear News)

CLIMATE

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signs a law blocking local governments from enacting policies to track their greenhouse gas emissions and otherwise pursue net-zero goals. (Miami Herald)

• Louisiana legislators advance a bill that would prevent oil and gas companies from facing lawsuits over climate-related damages. (Louisiana Illuminator)

DATA CENTERS

• Data centers are becoming a major political issue in Georgia, with opposition likely to shape the state’s local, U.S. Senate, and gubernatorial elections happening this fall. (Politico)

WIND

• Texas utility regulators approve a first-of-its-kind arrangement to let a data center bring in power directly from an existing wind farm — a concept that other tech companies may replicate. (E&E News)

ADVOCACY

• The Southern Renewable Energy Association launches a program aimed at encouraging clean power development in Arkansas. (Arkansas Democrat Gazette)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Trump is blocking solar for farmers. Can the Farm Bill fix that? — Kari Lydersen

• Fossil fuel promoters tied to campaign to keep Ohio county renewable ban — Kathiann M. Kowalski

• Another offshore wind firm is seeking a payout as Trump stifles sector — Maria Gallucci

• Solar power soared last year — and it’s not slowing down — Kathryn Krawczyk