Western Energy News

Public gets more time to comment on plans to drill sage grouse habitat

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We want to hear from you! Help us improve the Energy News Network by taking this short survey. OIL AND GAS: A federal judge in Montana rules that the BLM can’t restrict public comments on a plan to allow drilling on sage grouse habitat; the ruling casts doubt on a controversial lease sale scheduled for December in Colorado. (Associated Press, Grand Junction Daily-Sentinel)

ALSO: Refineries in New Mexico and Texas are reaping economic benefits from surging oil and gas production in the Permian Basin. (San Antonio Express-News)

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Western Energy News

Why Arizona utilities will likely ignore voters on clean energy

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GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK: Got a minute? Help us improve the Energy News Network by taking this short survey. UTILITIES: Arizona’s governor acknowledges that legislation he signed earlier this year, crafted with help from the state’s largest utility, will allow utilities to ignore a clean energy mandate should voters approve it in November. (Capitol Media Services)

SUSTAINABILITY: Two California universities are taking new steps to eliminate carbon emissions from their buildings. (Greentech Media)

***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot for the EVs & the Grid Workshop, October 10-12 in West Hollywood, California.

Western Energy News

Companies drop bid to buy struggling Arizona coal plant

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COAL: The two companies considering buying the West’s largest coal plant have dropped their bid to acquire the Arizona facility, which will close next year unless another buyer emerges. (Associated Press)

ALSO: A Montana coal plant is up and running again after air quality problems forced it to shut down two units in July. (KTVQ)

***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot for the EVs & the Grid Workshop, October 10-12 in West Hollywood, California. See the showcase of all public and private programs and initiatives that are enabling electrification. Government, utilities, and environmental advocates will guide property developers and fleet owners.***

CLIMATE: Law firms in California and Washington that have defended oil companies over climate change damages are among nine firms that have pledged to work on climate issues for free, raising some suspicions at a recent climate summit.

Western Energy News

Colorado co-op makes makes major clean energy pledge

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RENEWABLES:
• A rural Colorado co-op formally commits to get 70 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 without increasing customers’ costs; a recent Q&A further explores the co-op’s ambition . (The Aspen Times, Energy News Network archive)

ALSO:
• A leading credit rating agency predicts that California’s new clean energy mandate court hurt local utilities’ credit rating in the future. (Bloomberg)
• Some Portland nonprofits are already providing clean, efficient energy to low-income residents, but supporters of a proposed tax on large retailers that would pay for the same say the measure is still necessary. (Willamette Week)

***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot for the EVs & the Grid Workshop, October 10-12 in West Hollywood, California. See the showcase of all public and private programs and initiatives that are enabling electrification.

Western Energy News

Construction is complete on Colorado’s largest wind farm

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WIND: Xcel Energy completes construction of Colorado’s largest wind farm, a 600 MW project that spans five counties. (Denver Post)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: As electric vehicle sales pick up in Colorado, two rural co-ops have been leading the way on encouraging the transition. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot for the EVs & the Grid Workshop, October 10-12 in West Hollywood, California. See the showcase of all public and private programs and initiatives that are enabling electrification. Government, utilities, and environmental advocates will guide property developers and fleet owners.***

RENEWABLES: The city council in Spokane, Washington overrides the mayor’s veto of a plan to get all of the city’s energy from renewable sources by 2030.