Technology giants push for more clean energy in lagging states

RENEWABLES: Major technology companies push reluctant utilities and states – including in the Southeast – to move more aggressively on clean energy. (EnergyWire)

NUCLEAR:
• The TVA’s Watts Bar 2 reactor, the first new U.S. reactor in the 21st century, is expected to be operating at full power this summer. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• The industry is counting on utilities with exclusive service territories such as TVA, Southern Co. and Scana Corp. to show the way for future reactor development. (Environmental Leader)

CLIMATE: The chief resilience officers for Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County reflect moves to deal with rising sea levels and other impacts of climate change. (ClimateWire)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: West Virginia’s Attorney General tells a press gathering in Washington that defeating the Clean Power Plan can help save coal jobs, then sits for a profile explaining his views. (The Hill, Bloomberg Government)

NATURAL GAS: Fracked gas liquefied and exported through terminals in Louisiana draws opposition from EU energy leaders. (Platts)

COAL:
• To diversify from coal, state leaders are focusing on four initiatives with its share of available federal funds. (Birmingham Business Journal)
• Home builders avoid abandoned coal mines in Tennessee over concerns about community impacts and regulations. (News Channel 9)
• A long-time industry executive who used to work for companies now in bankruptcy is found dead at the West Virginia cemetery where is wife is buried. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

BIOMASS: Duke Energy signs its second deal to generate electricity by collecting methane gas from swine waste. (Associated Press)

BLANKENSHIP CASE: A federal court grants lawyers for former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship an extension until June 20 to file his appeal. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Florida airport adds four charging stations to its short-term parking lot. (Herald-Tribune)

COMMENTARY:
• North Carolina is bending the rules designed to ensure safe water. (Raleigh News & Observer)
• Florida only has to look to this month’s oil spill off Louisiana’s coast to persuade officials not to reduce the no-drilling buffer zone protecting the Sunshine State. (Miami Herald)
• Let’s buy bankrupt coal properties and release them for farming and sustainable forestry. (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)