SOLAR: California regulators delay a vote on a proposal to slash net metering payments for rooftop solar as they consider revamping the controversial measure. (Bloomberg)

ALSO:
• A Nevada county urges developers of a proposed 500 MW, 2,000-acre solar project to relocate it to a spot where it “does not interfere with quiet enjoyment” of residents and recreationalists. (Pahrump Valley Times)
• The National Renewable Energy Lab introduces a residential solar permitting automation app that could reduce project permitting, inspection and installation times by 12 days. (news release)

NUCLEAR:
• A former U.S. energy secretary and other scientists urge California Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay the closure of Diablo Canyon nuclear plant to help the state reach climate targets and reduce grid strain. (Reuters)
• New Mexico lawmakers advance a bill banning disposal of spent nuclear fuel in the state. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
• Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy pushes a bill that would allow communities to bypass the state legislature when considering microreactor proposals. (The Center Square)  

CLIMATE: A study finds climate change will drive substantial increases in air conditioning use in the Southwest, putting more strain on the grid and resulting in prolonged power outages. (Los Angeles Times)

OIL & GAS:
• A public health advocacy group’s study finds Colorado oil and gas companies use toxic “forever chemicals” to stimulate wells and conceal fracking fluid ingredients behind the guise of “trade secrets.” (Colorado Public Radio)
• Oregon officials uphold Portland’s rejection of an oil-by-rail terminal permit last year but require the city to provide more evidence backing its denial. (OPB)  
• Oil and gas industry officials say a court’s cancellation of offshore leases last week casts uncertainty over future Western lease sales. (Casper Star-Tribune)
• New Mexico environmentalists call on the U.S. EPA to tighten oil and gas emissions rules, ban routine flaring and increase site inspections. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• A coalition of environmental groups urge the Biden administration to more extensively review ConocoPhillips’ $6 billion Willow Arctic oil project. (E&E News, subscription)  

STORAGE: Southwest Colorado’s Ute Mountain Ute tribe considers developing a 600 MW pumped hydropower storage facility on its land. (KSJD)

HYDROGEN: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham continues to push a bill promoting state hydrogen hubs even though lawmakers tabled it amid intense opposition. (Alamogordo Daily News)

GRID: The Western Energy Imbalance Market delivered nearly $2 billion in savings to participants last year as extreme weather and high natural gas prices made the service more valuable. (RTO Insider, subscription)

ELECTRIFICATION: Colorado lawmakers reject a Republican-led bill that would block cities from banning natural gas hookups in homes or businesses. (Associated Press)  

BIOFUELS: Climate advocates say a California program incentivizing dairy farms to convert manure into biogas encourages the expansion of factory farms, increasing overall emissions. (Guardian) 

COMMENTARY: A California reporter says journalists “need to get comfortable decrying the horrors of the climate crisis and demanding solutions.” (Los Angeles Times)

Jonathan hails from southwestern Colorado and has been writing about the land, cultures, and communities of the Western United States for more than two decades. He compiles the Western Energy News digest. He is the author of three books, a contributing editor at High Country News, and the editor of the Land Desk, an e-newsletter that provides coverage and context on issues critical to the West.