Southeast

ENN

In need of jobs, northeastern North Carolina sees promise in offshore wind

With two offshore wind farms underway off the Outer Banks and a major blade facility announced just across the state border, regional leaders hope jobs and economic impact will reach inland to largely poor and Black counties.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 18 November 2021
ENN

Virginia advocates make community solar a priority ahead of 2022 session

Virginia Democrats last year pushed Dominion Energy to create a solar-subscription program. Now, advocates are hopeful they can convince a bipartisan legislature to expand the concept to other utility territories.

By Elizabeth McGowan . 16 November 2021
ENN

Commentary: Help Birmingham craft a Green New Deal for a prosperous, sustainable future

A Green New Deal for Birmingham offers opportunities to grow Birmingham in sustainable ways, write guest commentators Michael Hansen and Kirsten Bryant.

By Michael Hansen . 16 November 2021
ENN

Black Appalachian Coalition aims to shift narrative on energy, other issues

The group is working to counter the longstanding erasure and exclusion of Black voices from policy discussions in the region.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 12 November 2021
ENN

Virginia GOP targets clean energy law, but options for rollback are limited

Democrats’ narrow control of the state Senate makes repeal of the state’s Clean Economy Act unlikely for now, and market forces along with the state’s staggered regulatory appointments will make it harder to slow-walk implementation.

By Mason Adams . 9 November 2021
ENN

Power shutoffs deepened pandemic toll while utilities collected millions in relief

A nationwide ban on utility disconnections could have reduced COVID-related deaths by nearly 15% in 2020, an analysis found. Utility companies lobbied against such ratepayer protections; meanwhile, some paid out billions in CEO compensation and shareholder dividends.

By Audrey Henderson . 8 November 2021
ENN

For landmark new climate law in North Carolina, ‘technical’ concerns linger

Critics say the law's text is vague on how much authority Duke Energy will have over how it plans to meet carbon reduction targets.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 28 October 2021
ENN

North Carolina energy law adds urgency on housing, weatherization funding

With bipartisan energy compromise now law, advocates and some Democrats look to the budget to help protect the state’s poorest ratepayers.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 27 October 2021
ENN

Siemens Gamesa chooses Virginia for offshore wind turbine blade factory

The announcement is a major win for Virginia as it strives to become a hub for the nation’s fledgling offshore wind energy industry.

By Sarah Vogelsong . 25 October 2021
ENN

In Virginia, momentum grows for grassroots group mobilized against now-canceled gas plant

The natural gas plant that brought them together is finally canceled, but Concerned Citizens of Charles City County is just getting started. The group is now aiming to block a second power plant and its accompanying pipeline, plus a growing landfill, in their coastal plain community.

By Elizabeth McGowan . 19 October 2021