The Energy News Update covers various energy-related developments across different states. Georgia Power is under scrutiny for its coal ash cleanup plan, with doubts on EPA approval due to a failed scheme in Alabama. West Virginia is considering renewing an air permit for a coal-fired power plant earmarked for conversion to a hydrogen-powered graphite production facility amidst legal troubles. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, plans are in place to add 36 MW of battery storage to enhance grid reliability. The Gulf of Mexico sees renewed interest in offshore wind lease, boosting prospects for the sector. In Louisiana, a tribe receives substantial federal funding for climate hazard mitigation, while Texas faces a lawsuit over heat-related deaths in state prisons. On the positive side, the U.S. Energy Department allocates $30 million for a hydrogen hub development spanning West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, a Korean energy company sells a 260 MW solar project in Texas to another Korean entity. The political landscape in West Virginia is influenced by Senator Joe Manchin's support for climate legislation, impacting energy projects in the state. Contrasting viewpoints exist, including concerns over disrupting the Okefenokee Swamp's carbon sink status due to proposed mining activities, as highlighted by a conservationist.