COAL: Wyoming embarks on its “moon shot” to save the state’s coal industry – a $21 million carbon-capture research facility near Gillette. (Casper Star-Tribune)
CLEAN POWER PLAN: The Supreme Court’s stay of the rules in February has not deterred states from moving forward with carbon-reduction strategies. (ClimateWire)
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CONGRESS: Democrats say a “poison pill” amendment related to Iran could scuttle a bipartisan energy bill. (The Hill)
CLIMATE:
• California Sen. Barbara Boxer introduces a bill that would authorize the Treasury to issue “Climate Change Bonds” to fund infrastructure projects. (Los Angeles Times)
• Stanford University, once praised by activists for divesting from coal, is criticized for not doing the same for oil and gas. (InsideClimate News)
UTILITIES:
• Income-guarantee deals for two Ohio utilities are put on hold pending approval by federal regulators, who said ratepayers are “captive” customers who would be at a disadvantage to shareholders. (Columbus Dispatch, RTO Insider)
• An Iowa rural electric co-op plans to invest in enough renewable energy credits to fully offset its use of carbon-based fuels. (Midwest Energy News)
NATURAL GAS:
• Colorado regulators reject a utility’s attempt to buy natural gas reserves in the ground as a hedge against future price increases. (Denver Business Journal)
• FERC considers allowing utilities to purchase gas pipeline capacity. (Utility Dive/RTO Insider)
• An Oklahoma man who suffered burns in a January natural gas explosion sues the utility responsible for the line for negligence. (Oklahoman)
OIL: Brine spills from oil development in western North Dakota are releasing toxins like lead into nearby waterways and soil, sometimes at excessive levels. (Associated Press)
PIPELINES:
• Developers of the Constitution pipeline say they will “pursue all available options” to challenge New York’s rejection of the project. (EnergyWire)
• Maine regulators being hearings today on whether a proposed natural gas pipeline would save money for ratepayers. (Portland Press Herald)
• A Houston-based pipeline company has withdrawn plans to move oil through 98-year-old pipelines at the bottom of a river in eastern Michigan. (Detroit Free Press)
• A U.S. House committee passes a compromise pipeline safety bill. (The Hill)
SOLAR:
• New ballot measures in Arizona would allow utilities to charge a separate rate for solar customers, and would put companies that sell and lease panels under state oversight. (Capitol Media Services)
• Local officials reject a proposed community solar array over a capped New York landfill. (Hudson Register-Star)
HYDRO: California utilities say an “overly complex” permitting process is holding back hydropower projects. (McClatchy)
RENEWABLES:
• Oregon regulators set an aggressive timeline to take up issues related to the state’s new 50% renewable standard. (Utility Dive/Lexology)
• Renewable energy generation holds potential on vast, isolated tribal lands across the country. (Greenwire)
EFFICIENCY: U.S. cars are on track to double fuel economy in 2025 compared to 2012 levels; trucks and SUVS, not so much. (Scientific American)
COMMENTARY: What can the U.S. learn from Europe about helping displaced coal miners? (High Country News)