CORRECTION: An item in Wednesday’s digest about imported materials in solar panels was from 2013 and was included by mistake.
OIL & GAS:
• A first-of-its-kind study finds that pregnant women in rural California were 40% more likely to give birth to babies with a low birthweight if living near active oil and gas wells. (Cal Matters)
• An investigation into elevated levels of benzene near a Greeley, Colorado school finds no air quality health risks for students or residents. (Denver Post)
• Colorado mineral rights owners could sue over the loss of income from shut off oil and gas wells. (Denver Business Journal)
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CALIFORNIA: A PG&E attorney tells its bankruptcy judge the safeguards of a California law that protects private utilities from wildfire liabilities will be lost if the utility’s reorganization plan is not confirmed by the June 30 deadline. (Courthouse News)
COAL: Colorado regulators unanimously vote in favor of a Colorado Springs Utilities plan that would end all production at a local coal-fired power plant no later than 2023 and reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2030. (Colorado Springs Gazette)
HYDROPOWER:
• An Arizona company’s plans to build hydropower dams on tribal land advances with the acceptance of their application for a federal permit. (Associated Press)
• Oregon State University’s wave energy testing facility has received $38.8 million in funding and could begin construction this year. (Greentech Media)
POLITICS:
• Congressional Democrats are insisting on bills to address environmental justice along with energy- and environment-related legislation including a public lands conservation bill. (E&E News)
• New Mexicans in six state Senate districts vote for grassroots candidates touting clean energy, air, and water over those funded by the oil industry. (KRWG)
NUCLEAR: New Mexico state officials, tribal nations, and communities continue to fight against a proposal to store high-level nuclear waste in the southeastern part of the state. (New Mexico Political Report)
PUBLIC LANDS: Six former Interior secretaries warn against amending wide-ranging public lands legislation, and urge for it to be adopted quickly. (E&E News, subscription)
TRANSMISSION:
• FERC and states view transmission initiatives such as the $2.6 billion, 1,000-mile line Gateway West project as a way to jump-start economic recovery while meeting clean energy targets. (E&E News)
• Colorado State Democratic Sen. Chris Hansen pulls legislation that challenged Xcel Energy’s ownership of electric transmission lines. (Daily Energy Insider)
RENEWABLE ENERGY: Hawaiian Electric announces the full list of winners from its procurement of 460 MW of solar energy and 3 GWh, which will increase the utility’s total solar capacity by more than 50%. (Greentech Media)
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STORAGE: California-based solar PV and storage developer 8minute Solar Energy secures $225 million for an 18 GW pipeline of around 50 solar and storage projects. (PV Magazine)
COMMENTARY: A black scientist says racism is holding back progress on climate change: “How can people of color effectively lead their communities on climate solutions when faced with pervasive and life-shortening racism?” (Washington Post)