Southeast

ENN

Southwest Virginia group wins grant to help companies move beyond coal

The $486,366 grant from the Virginia Growth and Opportunity board will be used to help four family-owned businesses pivot operations from their coal-centric beginnings to opportunities in storage and renewable energy.

By Elizabeth McGowan . 8 April 2021
ENN

When the power went out, Texas oil and gas regulators rushed to defend the industry’s image

Members of the Texas Railroad Commission were quick to blame renewable energy for power outages across the state. All sources of energy struggled to produce power during the storm.

By Erin Douglas and Mitchell Ferman . 8 April 2021
ENN

Young urban farmer plots growth of regenerative agriculture endeavor

College student Chander Payne received a “young heroes” award for his work in delivering fresh local food to homeless shelters and schools in underserved communities in the Washington, D.C., area.

By Elizabeth McGowan . 2 April 2021
ENN

In a record year for clean energy purchases, Southeast cities stand out

A report tracking renewable energy purchases by U.S. cities reveals a surge of contracts in 2020, with nearly eight dozen municipalities collectively buying almost 3.7 gigawatts of mainly wind and solar energy.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 April 2021
ENN

North Carolina moves to preempt local bans on natural gas hookups

A legislative committee on Tuesday advanced an industry-backed bill that would prevent local governments from banning natural gas connections in new buildings, though no such bans are on the horizon.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 31 March 2021
ENN

In Virginia, solar ‘barn raisings’ bring power to families in need

A pair of Shenandoah Valley nonprofits have launched a fund to cover the upfront cost of outfitting Habitat for Humanity homes with photovoltaic panels that help put a dent in homeowners’ utility bills.

By Elizabeth McGowan . 29 March 2021
ENN

Commentary: To meet climate goals, N.C. needs a new generation of energy policies

North Carolina’s electricity system is at a turning point, Jonas Monast and Kate Konschnik write, and new state energy policies are needed to achieve the emissions goals.

By Jonas Monast . 25 March 2021
ENN

‘The stakes are very high’: In North Carolina, more interest than ever in Duke Energy’s long-range plans

A record number of stakeholders, from tech company Apple to the City of Charlotte, are formally intervening as North Carolina regulators consider Duke Energy’s latest 15-year energy plan.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 22 March 2021
ENN

Virginia looks to gain ground in states’ slow race on electric vehicle policy

Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to sign a bill this month that will make Virginia first in the South and 15th overall to adopt California’s Clean Car standards, which force automakers to expand electric vehicle inventories.

By Elizabeth McGowan . 16 March 2021
ENN

Controversial change to N.C. building code delayed but not derailed

The North Carolina Building Code Council signaled that it’s not ready to abandon a proposal to let homebuilders bypass minimum efficiency standards in favor of earning a more flexible green building certification.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 11 March 2021