Recent changes in the growth rate of methane, the second most important greenhouse gas, and important ozone precursor, could be due to changing anthropogenic emissions in the form of fossil fuel (FF) or agricultural emissions.
ACP owners confident — The Robesonian
The governmental approval process for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline continues at a pace that points to construction beginning in early 2018… The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval ruling of Oct. 13 … is being challenged by NC WARN, a Durham-based nonprofit that addresses “the climate crisis and other hazards posed by electricity generation.”
NC WARN looks for local support for environmental plan — Winston-Salem Chronicle
Arctic report card: Permafrost thawing at a faster pace — The Washington Post
Duke Energy’s mandatory fee plan is unwise and unfair — The News & Observer
Op-Ed by T. Anthony Spearman and Doug Dickerson. For most North Carolinians, the electric bill is a fact of life, an unavoidable part of the household budget. When times are tight, as they are for far too many of our constituents, families must find a way to pay. Otherwise, they risk having essential electric services shut off. For some, it’s an impossible choice between food, medicine and power.
New York’s heralded fracking ban isn’t all it’s cracked up to be — Center For Public Integrity
In 2014, Gov. Andrew Cuomo made a bold statement by banning hydraulic fracturing in the Empire State, declaring alongside his health commissioner that “no child should live near” a shale-gas well because of its potential harm. The governor’s proclamation made him a hero among environmentalists and persona non grata in the oil and gas industry. Energy in Depth, an industry-funded website, criticized Cuomo for basing the moratorium on dubious science “to kowtow to Yoko Ono, Mark Ruffalo, and all of the environmental pressure groups in New York.”
Court Signals Timing isn’t Right for Suit against State and Regulators over Court Access and Duke Energy Fast-track Law — News Release from NC WARN
NC WARN also contends that the NC Utilities Commission shielded itself from an appeals court review of the $1 billion Duke Energy project by invoking a never before used law from 1965 to require a $98 million bond that locked the courthouse doors to NC WARN and its nonprofit partner, The Climate Times. No other state allows regulators to use a bond to block a power plant appeal.
Group loses last challenge to Duke Energy’s Asheville natural gas plant – Charlotte Business Journal
Push Clean Energy — News & Observer
Letter to the Editor from Jim Warren. The author of “Cooper should crack down on Duke Energy’s hazards” (Nov. 29) was courageous in calling out Duke Energy’s hazardous practices and stranglehold on our democracy. The third leg of Duke’s business model – along with building unneeded power plants and raising rates – is spending tens of millions annually to distort and suppress debate. Read more, including Duke Energy’s response.
Opposition to Atlantic Coast Pipeline grows with plans to seize land — News & Observer
Proposed Duke Energy rate increase: $17.80 a month — WRAL News
Key hearings on Duke Energy’s request to raise household electricity rates 16.7 percent, once slated to begin today, has been delayed a week as government attorneys tasked with representing the public negotiate with the electric utility.
The change would increase the typical residential bill $17.80 a month, or about $214 a year. That includes a significant increase in the base rate people pay regardless of how much power they use.