SOLAR:
• Nevada led the nation in solar generation per capita last year, according to a new report. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• A major credit rating agency renews warnings that inaction on solar net metering policies could lead to a “death spiral” for utilities. (SNL / Utility Dive)
• Minnesota regulators adopt a “value of solar” approach to community solar rates, though developers are still concerned over project size caps. (Midwest Energy News)
COAL:
• A new report predicts coal jobs will continue to decline regardless of what happens with the Clean Power Plan. (High Country News)
• How Utah coal interests pushed a plan for an export terminal in California. (High Country News)
• An Arizona coal plant would be partially shut down for part of the year under a haze reduction plan. (Arizona Republic)
• A decision that would limit coal ash pollution from a Montana plant is hailed as a “significant victory” by advocates. (Great Falls Tribune)
PIPELINES:
• Adding new pipeline capacity will prevent the U.S. from hitting emissions targets under the Paris climate agreement, according to a new report. (Reuters)
• Data show approval periods for new natural gas pipelines are getting longer. (Bloomberg)
OIL AND GAS:
• A regional regulatory board delays a decision on proposed emissions limits for refineries in the San Francisco Bay area. (San Jose Mercury News)
• Advocates push Virginia’s governor to pull back on fossil fuels as time runs out on his term. (Southeast Energy News)
CLIMATE:
• Three Midwest attorneys general say the investigation into whether Exxon Mobil misled investors on climate change is a “grave mistake” and an attempt to “police the global warming debate.” (Midwest Energy News)
• Republican delegates are not all in agreement with their party’s position on climate change. (ClimateWire)
NUCLEAR: A court upholds a decision allowing a diversion of water rights for a planned Utah nuclear plant. (Deseret News)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The White House extends a loan guarantee program to include charging stations for electric vehicles. (Reuters)
TECHNOLOGY: Hydrogen powered cars slowly gain a foothold in California, but remain costly to operate. (New York Times)
BIOFUELS: A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators pushes for an increase in the EPA’s biodiesel mandate. (The Hill)
COMMENTARY: Solar is most under attack in states where the industry is thriving. (Environment America)