Western Energy News

Judge rules Oregon clean energy ballot initiatives can proceed

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CLIMATE: A county judge in Oregon rejects a former Republican secretary of state’s rationale for blocking two clean energy ballot measures environmentalists want to bring before voters in November. (Associated Press)

ALSO:
• A new report indicates that California will have to nearly double its current rate of emissions reductions to achieve its goal of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. (Monterey Herald)
• Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says a state Supreme Court ruling allowing caps on direct but not indirect greenhouse gas emissions will significantly affect the state’s ability to reduce emissions. (Spokesman-Review)
• Microsoft pledges to become 100% “carbon-negative” by 2030 across direct emissions and its supply chain. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego.

Western Energy News

Tri-State announces plans to invest in renewables and cut emissions

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UTILITIES: Tri-State Generation and Transmission plans to build eight new solar and wind projects by 2024 and cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 90% by 2030. (Durango Herald, Denver Post)

COAL: A New Mexico coal plant will close a decade sooner than planned due to groundwater scarcity. (Utility Dive)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, comprehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking. Register for free Expo Hall access.***

CLIMATE: A key Oregon Republican continues to oppose cap-and-trade legislation, saying he would prefer to see the policy referred to voters.

Western Energy News

Inslee seeks to build on ‘momentous’ climate effort in Washington state

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EMISSIONS: Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee and conservation groups want more action from state lawmakers towards aggressively reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (Investigate West)

CALIFORNIA: PG&E is reportedly close to a deal with a group of bondholders giving them new concessions if they scrap a rival restructuring plan. (Bloomberg)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, comprehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking. Register for free Expo Hall access.***

ADVOCACY: Colorado lawmakers disagree on whether 38 climate protestors should have been arrested last week for delaying Gov. Jared Polis’s State of the State speech in the Capitol.

Western Energy News

Oregon Democrats to try again on climate legislation

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CLIMATE: Oregon Democrats unveil new cap-and-trade legislation, which will likely again face stiff opposition despite efforts to compromise with rural lawmakers. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

ALSO:
• Advocates protest an Arizona utility’s proposed rate increase for natural gas projects, saying the company isn’t moving fast enough to cut emissions. (Arizona Public Media)
• Utah State University plans to release a plan this week outlining steps to cut carbon emissions 10% per year. (Utah Public Radio)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, comprehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking.

Western Energy News

DOJ working with oil industry to oppose climate lawsuits

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OIL & GAS: Internal emails reveal that Department of Justice attorneys have been working closely with the oil industry to oppose climate lawsuits filed by the cities of Oakland and San Francisco. (InsideClimate News)

ALSO:
• U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) is among those critical of the Trump administration’s efforts to weaken key provisions of a federal law regulating extraction activities such oil and gas drilling. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• Larimer County, Colorado officials and local activists are against a proposed 15-well oil and gas extraction pad near Windsor and Timnath. (Fort Collins Coloradoan, subscription)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, comprehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking.