** ConocoPhillips announced the introduction of four innovations that will further enhance the functionality of its proprietary Optimized Cascade natural gas liquefaction process or OCP™ technology, which is currently licensed in 27 processing trains worldwide.
** Canadian Solar Inc. announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, Recurrent Energy, LLC , is currently constructing the 28 MWac Maplewood 2 Solar Project for Energy Transfer , a Dallas-based Fortune 100 midstream energy company. Maplewood 2 is located in Pecos County in the Permian Basin of West Texas, and will deliver low-cost, clean power to Energy Transfer under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This PPA marks Energy Transfer’s first-ever dedicated solar contract.
** Baker Hughes (NYSE: BKR) announced today it is acquiring Compact Carbon Capture (3C), a pioneering technology development company specializing in carbon capture solutions.
** Global investment firm KKR announced the signing of agreements with NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., and NextEra Energy Partners, LP relating to two separate transactions to acquire equity interests in portfolios of contracted utility-scale wind and solar assets. KKR will invest $1.4 billion in the two transactions.
** News reports indicate that Louisiana’s governor considers a bill to suspend severance taxes on all new or restorative oil wells.
** The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stands by its opinion that the Mountain Valley Pipeline won’t jeopardize endangered or threatened species, prompting legal action by environmental groups in a federal appeals court according to the Roanoke Times.
** A Canadian electric-car marker has narrowed its consideration for a new factory to Arizona and Tennessee.
** The Corsicana Daily Sun reports that Orsted Onshore North America LLC plans a 200 MW solar farm in Texas with construction on track to begin in 2022.
** A Houston man faces federal charges over a scheme to bilk 21 oil and gas investors out of $1.2 million reports the San Antonio Express-News.
** A coalition of environmental groups files a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s rollback of a rule for discharges from coal-fired power plants.
** The Associated Press reported a federal judge dismisses parts of a defamation lawsuit against law enforcement officials who made public statements blaming a Dakota Access pipeline protester for her own injuries four years ago.
** Joe Biden is reportedly considering three New Mexico lawmakers to head the Interior Department should he win the presidential election according to E and E News.
** Wyoming’s Office of State Lands and Investments is auctioning parcels of land for drilling on critical habitat for sage grouse and migratory mule deer reported the Jackson Hole News and Guide.