Southeast school districts tout cost savings from solar projects

SOLAR: Coal county school boards in Virginia lobby for changes to a regional utility contract that is limiting installation of solar panels on school buildings. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• A Kentucky school district has saved half-a-million dollars in two years by installing solar panels and energy efficiency measures. (Northern Kentucky Tribune)
• An Arkansas school district expects to save $40,000 annually after signing a deal for solar energy. (Hot Springs Village Voice)
• An 86 MW solar farm in western Kentucky prepares for construction. (Paducah Sun)
• A Texas regulator gives the go-ahead for a school district to negotiate incentives with a company considering a 500 MW solar farm. (Houston Business Journal)
• Asheville, North Carolina, shares energy data from its first solar project, which has been online for several weeks. (news release)

COAL:
• Coal and other fossil fuel companies back Republicans in West Virginia’s statewide races, according to campaign finance reports, while labor organizations back Democrats. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• Donald Trump hasn’t succeeded in reviving the struggling coal industry but retains the backing of many fossil fuel workers. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)

UTILITIES: A Republican and Libertarian running for Oklahoma’s utility regulation board look for ways to boost the state’s struggling oil and gas industry. (NonDoc)

WIND: The coronavirus has slowed the development of wind energy through supply chain disruptions and delays in construction. (New York Times)

OIL & GAS: A Republican U.S. Senator running for reelection in Louisiana shifts his focus toward Joe Biden’s remark about a ​“transition” away from oil in last week’s debate. (The Advocate)

COMMENTARY:
• Texas should rework its tax structure to reduce state government’s dependence on oil and gas while taking advantage of the growing solar and wind industries, argues a business professor. (Austin American-Statesman)
• A climate activist questions why a Virginia law firm is simultaneously representing clients who want bold action on climate change while also suing the state for taking such action. (Virginia Mercury)