Western Energy News

Developers defend New Mexico carbon capture plan

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COAL: Developers defend their plan to retrofit a New Mexico coal plant with carbon capture technology amid criticism the proposal is unrealistic. (E&E News) 

ALSO:
• New Mexico’s largest utility is seeking feedback on proposals for the power to be lost from its coal plant closure in 2022. (Associated Press)
• A federal judge approved short-term funding for bankrupt Wyoming coal operator Blackjewel until today during an emergency hearing Friday. (Casper Star-Tribune)
• Another recent ruling means a Wyoming county could be out more than $30 million in property taxes. (Gillette News Record via AP)

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Western Energy News

Colorado co-op’s climate plan raises questions

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UTILITIES: Critics say a Colorado energy provider, under pressure from members to provide more clean energy, is trying to subvert state climate goals and avoid oversight. (E&E News)

ALSO:
• It’s not yet clear whether a recently announced deal between Tri-State Generation and a member co-op will affect a different co-op’s effort to exit its contract. (Pine River Times)
• New Mexico regulators find a co-op’s changes to net metering policy amount to a rate increase that requires further approval. (Rio Grande Sun)

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OIL & GAS:
• A new study of Colorado infants has found that mothers living near intense oil and gas activity face a higher chance of having children with heart defects.

Western Energy News

Colorado energy provider says it’s cleaning up its act

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CLEAN ENERGY: Under pressure from its members to reduce emissions, a Colorado energy provider announces it will close a coal plant two years early and commit to developing new renewable energy resources. (Colorado Public Radio)

ALSO: A Hawaii utility announces plans to shut down its coal and oil plant by 2024 and develop 900 MW of new renewable energy. (Hawaii News Now)

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OIL AND GAS:
• Montana and North Dakota have asked the federal government to block the state of Washington from restricting crude oil-by-rail shipments that pass through the state. (Associated Press)
• A Trump administration official says drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge won’t pose a threat to nearby tribes.

Western Energy News

New Mexico carbon capture plan called ‘a false hope’

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COAL: An energy think tank blasts a carbon capture proposal for a New Mexico coal plant, saying the plan has “a lot of flim-flam in it.” (NM Political Report)

ALSO:
• An analysis finds the Trump Administration’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule isn’t impacting plans for coal plant retirements. (Wyoming Public Media)
• Researchers find coal-dependent communities are inadequately prepared for the industry’s further decline. (ThinkProgress)
• Former employees of an Arizona coal plant prepare for new careers in the tech industry. (Navajo-Hopi Observer)

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UTILITIES:
• A Colorado cooperative says it plans to settle its dispute with wholesale provider Tri-State Generation as the company moves to federal oversight.

Western Energy News

Does Los Angeles really need a new natural gas plant?

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CLIMATE: Advocates question the need for a new natural gas plant to serve Los Angeles as the city shifts away from coal. (Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS:
• New Mexico’s attorney general is criticized by a dark-money organization with a history of promoting fossil fuels for employing two attorneys from a New York University environmental program. (Associated Press, DeSmog)
• Oregon Republicans, who defeated a climate bill by leaving the state, are now seeking to recall the state’s governor for supporting the proposal. (OPB)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Renewables: Extracting Value from Power Markets Conference in La Jolla, California, July 23-25 and take an intensive deep dive into how to better value merchant tails for renewable projects. Register today!***

OIL AND GAS:
• Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit seeking to block drilling near the Petrified Forest National Park.