Western Energy News

Wildfires could stymie California climate progress

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CALIFORNIA: California could struggle to meet its clean energy goals if the state’s largest utility goes bankrupt because of wildfire liabilities. (Bloomberg)

ALSO: California’s largest utility reported a second power outage on the day a deadly wildfire erupted, according to a new report filed with regulators. (Reuters)

***SPONSORED LINK: “We are dangerously behind in the existential race to deal with climate change. Designing Climate Solutions offers focused, tested strategies for policymakers serious about making a difference.” –Former U.S. Secretary of State and Senator John Kerry. Use “CLIMATE” for 25% discount.

Western Energy News

Arizona utility plans 1,000 MW of new solar

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SOLAR: Facing criticism about the amount of clean power it currently uses, an Arizona utility plans to add 1,000 MW of solar energy over the next seven years, a 400 percent increase over its current level. (Arizona Republic)

ALSO:
• A California solar company’s CEO talks about how she went from begging people at county fairs to become clean energy customers to running the nation’s largest residential installation company. (Greentech Media)
• Tesla slashes prices on its residential solar systems in an effort to boost sluggish sales. (Reuters)
• An Idaho winery becomes the first in the state to use solar energy. (Idaho Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: “Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change…A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” –Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz.

Western Energy News

Crab industry sues Big Oil over climate impacts

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CLIMATE: A coalition of West Coast commercial crab fishermen sues 30 oil and gas companies over damage to the industry caused by climate change. (InsideClimate News)

POLITICS:
• Democratic lawmakers in Nevada plan on introducing legislation to increase the state’s renewable energy standards rather than waiting until voters decide on a constitutional amendment in 2020. (Las Vegas Sun)
• Now that an Arizona clean energy initiative has been shot down, clean energy advocates question whether the state’s largest utility will make good on its promise to use more solar, wind and storage. (Utility Dive)

***SPONSORED LINK: “Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change…A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” –Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz. Use “CLIMATE” for 25% discount.

Western Energy News

Colorado ski resort takes a big step toward clean energy goal

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WIND: Vail Resorts buys enough wind power to offset its emissions for the 2019 fiscal year, the company’s first major step toward achieving zero emissions by 2030. (Colorado Springs Gazette)

RENEWABLES:
• Clean energy industry officials say Colorado could get all of its energy from renewable sources before 2040, the deadline being eyed by the state’s new governor. (CBS Denver)
• Solar, wind and storage have almost eliminated natural gas among proposed new generation projects in California. (Greentech Media)
• A Wyoming ski resort will run its lifts on clean energy. (Jackson Hole News & Guide)

***SPONSORED LINK: “Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change…A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” –Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz.

Western Energy News

California utilities under renewed scrutiny for possible role in wildfires

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FIRES: Two California utilities are facing increased scrutiny over their possible roles in the deadly wildfires sweeping the state. (Greentech Media)

ALSO: The day before a deadly wildlife erupted in northern California, the state’s largest utility responded to reports of sparks coming from one of its power lines near the area where investigators now believe the fire started. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: “Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change…A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” –Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz. Use “CLIMATE” for 25% discount. ***

OIL AND GAS:
• The Permian Basin is driving a surge of drilling in New Mexico where the BLM is failing to respond to a host of problems on the federal land it manages there.