COAL: A federal judge extends Blackjewel’s bankruptcy case through the end of the year, giving the coal operator 60 additional days to file a reorganization plan. (Casper Star-Tribune)
ALSO: New data shows Q2 Powder River Basin coal production decreased 21.5% from the previous quarter and 31.1% from last year. (S&P Global)
***SPONSORED LINK: The ESA Annual Energy Storage Conference & Expo (#ESACon20) is a true 360-degree conference experience – gone digital. Featuring one-on-one conversations and interactions, keynotes and educational content, demos of real projects from exhibitors in the eMarketplace, and more. Use discount code ENN2020VTL for 5% off. ***
CALIFORNIA: PG&E agrees to pay more than $40 million for damages caused by wildfires in Napa County in 2017. (Napa Valley Register)
PUBLIC LANDS: The NAACP opposes William Perry Pendley leading the BLM, saying the nominee is a “bigoted and divisive extremist.” (E&E News)
RENEWABLE ENERGY:
• Denver’s city council approves a 0.25% sales tax increase which, if approved by voters, would be dedicated to the city’s renewable energy goals. (Denver Post)
• Two California community choice aggregators launch a joint request for proposals to buy 1 million MWh of renewable energy plus battery storage power annually. (Solar Power World)
MICROGRIDS: San Diego Gas & Electric’s largest microgrid is set to be upgraded to 100% renewable energy thanks to a $4.5 million federal grant. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
NUCLEAR: A PG&E spokesman says operations at its Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant “are still going really well” despite a dozen workers testing positive for coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. (San Luis Obispo Tribune)
OIL & GAS: Noble Energy brings most of its Colorado oil and gas wells shut down in Q2 because of market volatility back online. (Denver Business Journal, subscription)
SOLAR: The bankrupt owners of a 110-MW Nevada solar energy farm that was plagued by technical and performance issues are hoping to have it fully functional by the end of the year. (PV Magazine)
STORAGE: A Northern California city is set to consider installing Tesla battery backup banks at its wastewater treatment plant to decrease electricity costs. (Red Bluff Daily News)
UTILITIES: A new analysis explores a Colorado cooperative’s fight to sever ties with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Generation. (Brighton Blade)
TRANSPORTATION: A Colorado aerospace company remains committed to producing electric airplanes despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Denver Post)
TRANSMISSION: A Wyoming county recommends approval of a permit to construct a 416-mile long transmission line. (Casper Star-Tribune)
***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for emPOWER20 August 26-28, emPOWER is a virtual experience with 30 sessions and 40+ hours of content designed to foster a new kind of energy leadership. Join experts across the clean energy industry in finance, policy, and technology.***
FOSSIL FUELS: Wyoming candidates for U.S. Senate discuss strategies for keeping the state’s oil, gas, and coal industries vital in advance of the state’s Republican primary on August 18. (Oil City News)
COMMENTARY:
• A Southern California Public Power Authority official says a bill that would create a state-run procurement process for energy storage should be rejected to protect ratepayers from higher bills. (CalMatters)
• However, a California building and construction union says the legislation will help the state advance clean energy storage projects and create jobs through infrastructure projects. (CalMatters)