Western Energy News

California solar generation breaks another record

By

SOLAR: California has likely broken a record for utility-scale solar energy production, at one point over the weekend meeting 59 percent of grid demand in CAISO territory. (PV Magazine)

ALSO: Officials with a California residential solar and energy storage installation company say the widespread deployment of its products can help the state reduce wildfire risks. (Greentech Media)

***SPONSORED LINK: California is transforming how we utilize energy. From California’s new 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards to EV infrastructure and DERs, the California Solar Power Expo touches it all. Join us on April 25-26 in San Diego.***

RENEWABLES:
• A Nevada lawmaker files legislation proposing to raise the state’s renewable energy standard to 50 percent by 2030.

Western Energy News

California governor: PG&E ‘cannot be trusted’

By

UTILITIES: California’s largest utility repeatedly overlooked safety problems that led to some of the most destructive fires in state history, as Gov. Gavin Newsom says the company “cannot be trusted.” (New York Times)

OIL & GAS:
• Three oil and gas companies are proposing to drill hundreds of new wells in a historic California oilfield. (Sacramento Bee)
• Legislation proposing a 10-year ban on hydraulic fracturing clears the Oregon House. (Associated Press)
• A bill proposing a monumental overhaul of oil and gas regulations in Colorado gets its first hearing in the House. (Denver Post)

***SPONSORED LINK: California is transforming how we utilize energy. From California’s new 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards to EV infrastructure and DERs, the California Solar Power Expo touches it all.

Western Energy News

Wyoming governor vetoes coal export lawsuit bill

By

COAL: Wyoming’s governor vetoes a bill that would have authorized the state to sue Washington over its rejection of a proposed coal export terminal, saying the state should have “a coherent approach” to the issue. (Associated Press)

ALSO: A major Wyoming coal producer reports a $718 million loss for 2018, prompting some to speculate the company may be be close to filing for bankruptcy. (Casper Star Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: California is transforming how we utilize energy. From California’s new 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards to EV infrastructure and DERs, the California Solar Power Expo touches it all. Join us on April 25-26 in San Diego.***

POLITICS:
• Several clean energy measures make it past the legislative finish line in Utah including a $6.9 million electric vehicle investment, a carbon tax study and new measure giving communities more flexibility in achieving 100 percent renewable energy goals.

Western Energy News

Feds to ease drilling rules on Western bird habitat

By

OIL & GAS: The Trump administration is finalizing plans to relax drilling restrictions across the West that were put in place to protect an imperiled bird. (Associated Press)

ALSO:
• Federal forest managers have rejected a controversial plan to allow drilling in a northern Nevada mountain range. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• New Mexico regulators are accusing a Texas oil and gas company of violating state and federal air quality rules by failing to control emissions from one of its wells. (Associated Press)
• A bill restoring New Mexico oil and gas regulators’ authority to impose fines clears the state Senate. (New Mexico In Depth)

***SPONSORED LINK: California is transforming how we utilize energy.

Western Energy News

Pasadena and Tesla to build massive electric vehicle charging station

By

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Pasadena agrees to join Tesla in building the largest electric vehicle charging station in the western U.S., with space for 44 vehicles. (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

ALSO: The boom of e-commerce and the ensuing surge of truck traffic pollution in southern California has spurred calls for the electrification of trucks servicing giant distribution centers. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: California is transforming how we utilize energy. From California’s new 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards to EV infrastructure and DERs, the California Solar Power Expo touches it all. Join us on April 25-26 in San Diego.***

UTILITIES:
• Fire investigators determine that power lines owned by Southern California Edison sparked a 2017 wildfire that killed two people and burned more than 1,000 structures.