Today’s headlines: EPA moves to weaken methane regulations, and more

This roundup of U.S. energy news headlines is part of our Canary Media Daily newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

FOSSIL FUELS

• The U.S. EPA says it will soon propose weakening regulations that require oil and gas companies to respond to methane leak reports, and other rules aimed at curbing methane emissions. (The Hill)

POLITICS

• An industry group representing independent power producers voices its support for the Senate permitting reform bill, while a group representing state power regulators offers to help Congress refine the legislation. (EPSA, NARUC)

CLEAN ENERGY

• US Wind pulls out of its lease at a Maryland site where it planned to produce turbines and parts for its Ocean City offshore wind project. (Maryland Matters)
• An Indiana county has included utility-scale solar projects on a list of undesirable land uses that also includes ​“adult-oriented businesses.” (Inside Climate News)

GRID

• Virtual power plant startup Voltus raises $225 million as it looks to expand its ​“bring your own distributed capacity” program for data centers in PJM Interconnection. (Latitude Media)

NUCLEAR

• Residents of Utah coal country are pushing back against Valar Atomics’ planned small modular reactor complex, as well as a giant gas plant that would power a data center, saying they’re being stuck with ​“table scraps” as coal becomes less economical. (Grist)

UTILITIES

• Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (D) comes out against the merger of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy as the state begins public hearings on the deal, saying it’s ​“not in the best interest of Virginians.” (Utility Dive)

DATA CENTERS

• In North Carolina, Duke Energy and other industry groups agree on a large load tariff aimed at keeping data center costs from falling on residents. (News & Observer)