RENEWABLES:

• Florida environmentalists say they are cautiously optimistic about a pair of bills requiring the state to transition to renewable energy by 2050. (WUSF)

• Most policies designed to compensate customer-owned clean energy still doesn’t properly value distributed generation, a report finds. (Greentech Media)

SOLAR:

• A Virginia coal mine will be converted into a solar farm with the help of federal funds. (Energy News Network)

• Iowa clean energy advocates suspect the state’s largest utility is secretly behind a new organization claiming to represent farmers, consumers and businesses that oppose the state’s solar policies. (Energy News Network)

• How a Massachusetts city transitioned from a coal plant to hosting the state’s largest solar farm. (CBS News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit, March 19-21 in San Diego, is recognized as the leading gathering place for senior-level solar and financial executives to network and set their deal-making calendars for the upcoming year. See you at the 2019 summit!***

WIND:

• New Mexico, Montana and Colorado outrank Wyoming when it comes to being the most cost-effective state to generate wind energy, according to a recent study. (Casper Star-Tribune)

• The wind industry in Oklahoma touts tax benefits to schools but has paid little so far because of a five-year exemption now being phased out. (Oklahoman)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Electric vehicle advocates say some state policies for boosting transportation funding remove incentives for plug-in vehicles. (E&E News, subscription)

• Southeastern Michigan emerges as a hub for electric vehicle development. (Detroit Free Press)

EFFICIENCY:

• Southern Company, Electric Power Research Institute and Oak Ridge National Laboratory design a “smart neighborhood” in Alabama that has energy efficient appliances and solar. (Greentech Media)

• The U.S. House passes a Vermont lawmaker’s bill to improve energy efficiency in schools. (Associated Press)

UTILITIES:

• Advocates say a Michigan utility’s long-term clean energy plan is at a “crossroads” after a judge recommends rejecting it. (Energy News Network)

• Tampa Electric is moving from coal to natural gas, but environmental advocates say it isn’t transitioning to renewables fast enough. (Tampa Bay Times)

HYDROPOWER:

• A wet winter means California is expecting a strong year for hydropower production, which would displace emissions from natural gas use. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Maine officials will hold a hearing next week on a proposal to rebuild a dam dating to the 1850s. (Associated Press)

NUCLEAR:

• FirstEnergy’s aggressive lobbying strategy to secure nuclear subsidies has broad implications for Ohio’s energy future. (InsideClimate News)

• A bill to classify Pennsylvania’s nuclear plants as clean energy is expected to be introduced today, with estimated costs ranging widely. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• A U.S. Senator from Nevada says she plans to hold up all Department of Energy nominations until the agency promises to not send anymore plutonium shipments to the state. (The Nevada Independent)

OIL & GAS:

• Vice President Mike Pence touts the administration’s record on rolling back hydraulic fracturing regulations at an event in Ohio. (Associated Press)

• Two California utilities are requesting permission to begin selling “renewable” natural gas as a way to appeal to climate-conscious customers. (Green Biz)

• Some experts say a $150 million power plant with carbon capture and storage in Texas is a practical path forward. (Inc)

OFFSHORE DRILLING: North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis expresses concerns about offshore drilling ahead of his reelection campaign. (E&E News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Business Network for Offshore Wind’s International Partnering Forum delivers insight into the US offshore wind market. Don’t miss the top technical conference in the industry, April 8-10 in New York City. Register today!***

PIPELINES: Developers and industry groups see “valve turner” pipeline activists as domestic terrorists. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY:

• Achieving 100 percent renewable energy isn’t the moonshot some make it out to be, says an environmental policy advisor. (The Hill)

• Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and West Virginia U.S. Rep. Joe Machin say it’s time to “responsibly” act on climate change. (Washington Post)