Update on Mountain Valley Pipeline: One Year in Operation

In the realm of energy and utilities, several significant developments are unfolding across the United States.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is contemplating a bill that could ban oil drilling along the Apalachicola River, in response to a Louisiana company's plans to drill an exploratory well (Tallahassee Democrat). The decision, if made, could protect the river's ecosystem and the local fishing industry.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, both Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for party primaries this week to nominate candidates for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission, following a 2022 lawsuit-induced delay (Capitol Beat News Service).

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s enforcement of oil and gas industry regulations has been effectively paused in Texas, Louisiana, and other states under the Trump administration, with the aim of boosting production (CNN). This pause, however, has raised concerns about environmental safety.

Investor-owned Louisiana utility Cleco has notified state regulators that it is seeking a buyer (Times-Picayune). This move comes amidst the ongoing construction of Dominion Energy's offshore wind farm near Virginia, which is nearly 60% complete and still on schedule for completion at the end of 2026, despite industry uncertainty (Sierra).

Ohio utility regulators are set to determine whether FirstEnergy will have to pay penalties exceeding half a billion dollars in response to the HB 6 power plant bailout scandal (Canary). The decision could have significant implications for the utility industry in the state.

The EPA's proposed rollback of power plant emissions rules threatens to have severe health and climate consequences (Canary). The proposed rules have sparked concern and debate among environmental groups and policymakers.

In Texas, a new report reveals 58 GW of proposed gas-fired power plants aimed at meeting the increasing power demands of data centers, including at least 108 new plants and 17 expansions seeking taxpayer support (Houston Chronicle). This development could impact the state's energy mix and carbon footprint.

Duke Energy has requested a rate increase from South Carolina regulators (news release). The decision, if approved, could impact the state's energy consumers.

Alabama conservation groups have dedicated nearly 8,000 acres of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, once proposed for a wood pellet project (Inside Climate News). This move is a significant victory for environmental conservation efforts in the state.

Congress is considering a budget reconciliation bill that could eliminate the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helped Kentucky families pay their bills more than 219,000 times last year (Northern Kentucky Tribune). The potential elimination of this program could leave many families struggling to afford their energy bills.

Alabama's coal mining regulator faces a potential 16% cut in grants from Congress, which could impact the department significantly and may require state lawmakers to budget more money or ask the federal government to take over (Inside Climate News).

The Republican former president of the West Virginia Senate is leading a new ad campaign advocating for the preservation of clean energy tax credits to boost economic development in the state (West Virginia Watch).

Clean energy advocates and companies are grappling with the failure of an Illinois bill that would've incentivized energy storage and other power grid investments (Canary). The bill's failure could slow down the transition to cleaner energy sources in the state.

The Democratic primary for Virginia's attorney general has become a "proxy fight" between Dominion Energy and Clean Virginia, with the two entities funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to the two candidates (Richmond Times-Dispatch).

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to adjust the definition of "farm product" to allow for biomass byproducts and to protect biomass processing facilities against local regulations (Florida Politics).

The Mountain Valley Pipeline, which entered service a year ago, is still undergoing land restoration and erosion control efforts, with critics stating the damage to forested land is irreparable (Roanoke Times).

Texas lawmakers have passed bills to give the state more control over power that flows through Texas, fund new generation projects, and create an office to advocate for nuclear energy, but without passing any bills to restrict renewables (Texas Tribune). This decision could shape the state's energy landscape in the coming years.

Finally, Texas regulators have approved a 400 MW data center to be powered by modular gas units, with plans for an eventual 2 GW permanent natural gas plant (Data Center Dynamics). This move could impact the state's energy mix and carbon footprint.

These developments underscore the dynamic and complex nature of the energy and utility sector in the United States, as policymakers, industries, and advocacy groups navigate the challenges and opportunities of the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.