Virginia wind industry confident despite Trump’s ​“windmill” threats

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Volkswagen announces that an electric SUV made at its Tennessee plant no longer qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit because of escalating requirements for domestic sourcing of battery components and other materials. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
• Florida cities blame electric vehicles for declining gas tax revenue, though improved fuel economy in conventional vehicles is generally a far bigger factor, experts say. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, ENN archives)
• Arkansas requests proposals to build electric vehicle chargers along state highways through a state program that covers up to 80% of the cost through federal funding. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

GRID:

• A 320-mile power line could connect Texas’ independent power grid to the Southeast, but the company building it still faces numerous obstacles before it can start construction. (Houston Chronicle)
• Crews restore power to large swaths of the Southeast where a winter storm caused outages over the last few days. (Associated Press)

POLITICS:

• The debate over whether state or local governments should approve solar farms is one of several issues Virginia lawmakers will consider in their upcoming legislative session. (Cardinal News)
• A Virginia lawmaker introduces a bill to allow Appalachian Power customers to choose from other power providers. (WVTF)

COMMENTARY:

• The U.S. stands at a crossroads, faced with the decision to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels or continue with a buildout of harmful and dangerous liquified natural gas facilities, writes an activist. (Louisiana Illuminator)
• Virginia lawmakers should allow farmers to pursue solar development as a way to diversify revenue and preserve open land, writes a multi-generational farmer. (Virginia Mercury)