CLEAN ENERGY: Renewable energy could become a remote southeastern Utah county’s principal export, with a Navajo Nation solar project leading the way. (Salt Lake Tribune)

ALSO: A new report shows clean energy jobs in Colorado increased 6% from June to December 2020. (Denver Post)

NUCLEAR: Arizona’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station could be integral to eliminating carbon emissions from Southwestern utility grids, a recent study indicates. (Cronkite News)

OIL & GAS:
• Nevada’s largest gas utility has been largely successful in stopping efforts to shift the state away from natural gas, which environmentalists say is key to meeting the state’s climate targets. (Nevada Independent)
• A proposal for a new system of annual oil and gas facility inspections in Los Angeles appears to have stalled just 2 ½ years after city council members approved it. (Los Angeles Times)

HYDROPOWER:
• The chairwoman of Montana’s Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes adds her support to that of 11 other Northwestern tribal leaders for Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson’s proposal to breach four hydroelectric dams in eastern Washington. (Missoula Current)
• Avista expands its zero-carbon energy portfolio with a contract for two hydropower projects in Washington state. (Daily Energy Insider)

SOLAR:
• A solar energy company announces the completion of $10 million in solar energy rooftop and carport systems totaling 6.5 MW at seven California Walmart stores. (PV Magazine)
• A New Mexico electric cooperative is set to reach its goal of having solar generation meet the entirety of its daytime energy load a year early thanks to a recent deal for 21 MW of solar and 15 MW of storage. (PV Magazine)

HYDROGEN: Utilities are exploring adding hydrogen to natural gas systems in California and Utah. (S&P Global, H2 View)

UTILITIES:
• Arizona utility regulators approve provisional rules that would give ratepayers further protection from being disconnected during extreme weather events. (Arizona Daily Star)
• A California community choice aggregator’s program aiming to help customers reduce energy consumption during peak hours could be an example for other utilities to follow statewide in preventing power outages. (Canary Media)

WIND: Public meetings are set to be held this week on a proposed wind farm project that would span three Idaho counties. (KLIX)

COMMENTARY:
• An Alaska editorial board says proposed legislation aiming to fund sustainable energy development projects through private sector partnerships and an initial $10 million investment from the state would be good for the state’s economy. (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
• An environmental organization official says Arizona can be a climate leader by building community coalitions for meaningful environmental action. (Chamber Business News)

Lisa Ellwood

Lisa is a Lenape and Nanticoke Native American freelance journalist, editor and writer currently based in the U.K. She has more than two decades’ experience working in corporate communications and print and digital media. She compiles the Western Energy News daily email digest. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University; her specializations include data journalism and visualization. She is a member of the Native American Journalists Association, Investigative Reporters & Editors, Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Union of Journalists (U.K.).