DECARBONIZATION: California has the world’s second least carbon-intensive economy, behind no. 1 France, according to a new study. (San Francisco Chronicle)
EARTHQUAKES:
• An oil tycoon asked a University of Oklahoma dean to fire scientists studying links between oil and gas activity with the state’s nearly 400-fold increase in earthquakes. (Bloomberg)
• The oil wastewater disposal well near the epicenter of Oklahoma’s largest recorded earthquake was drilled too deep, a mistake that some think can lead to earthquakes. (EnergyWire)
SOLAR:
• Ohio regulators are considering limitations to the state’s net metering rules that could, if adopted, resolve a challenge filed with the state supreme court last summer. (Midwest Energy News)
• Arizona’s Salt River Project spent about $1.7 million on advertising in three months as it tried to drum up support for a state rate hike that included an increase in solar fees. (The Arizona Republic)
ARCTIC DRILLING:
• Despite longstanding economic ties, there is a growing disconnect between Alaska and Washington over oil development. (The Seattle Times)
• Hundreds of protesters in kayaks and small boats fanned out on Seattle’s harbor Saturday to decry Shell resuming oil exploration in the Arctic this summer with two drilling rigs now moored in the city’s port. (Reuters)
RISKY BUSINESS: Ahead of the annual general meeting of Shell shareholders on Tuesday, the oil giant has been accused of pursuing a strategy that would lead to global temperatures twice the level considered safe for the planet. (Guardian)
EXTRACTION TAX: California billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer is exploring possible ballot measures to tax oil extraction and require more public disclosure on oil pricing and supply. (Los Angeles Times)
HYDRO: At many dams across California electricity production is expected to be less than 20 percent of normal because of low water levels. (Los Angeles Times)
COAL: New Jersey power companies have been turning off pollution control equipment at coal-fired plants and allowing massive amounts of contaminants to escape through their stacks. (The Bergen County Record)
GREEN BOND: Bank of America announced Thursday it has issued a second green bond for $600 million to promote a low-carbon economy by advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency. (Sustainable Brands)
CONSERVATION: A New York City council member has introduced a bill requiring most office highrises to turn off their lights at night as a means to cut energy costs and help migratory birds. (Associated Press)
CARBON TAX: California’s cap-and-trade program is a swelling source of state revenue that may help finance anti-drought efforts, if the governor gets his way. (Los Angeles Times)
DIVESTMENT: A Pennsylvania high school will divest its $150 million endowment of holdings in coal mining companies, likely making it the first secondary school in the nation to do so. (InsideClimate News)