SOLAR: Colorado regulators say grid interconnection barriers are hampering community solar development. (E&E News)
ALSO:
• Developers say they will begin constructing a 690 MW solar facility backed up by 380 MW of battery storage this spring on public land in southern Nevada. (Recharge News)
• California regulators again postpone a decision on a proposal to slash net metering payments for rooftop solar. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Western Nevada local governments and residents say development of more than a dozen proposed utility-scale solar installations could drive tourists away from nearby Death Valley National Park. (E&E News)
• Developers bring a 390 MW solar-plus-storage facility online in central California. (news release)
COAL:
• California researchers find coal mines worldwide collectively emit more methane — a potent greenhouse gas — than either the oil industry or the natural gas sector. (Inside Climate News)
• Arizona regulators seek New Mexico officials’ input in policy discussions on the economic impacts of coal power plant and mine closures. (NM Political Report)
WIND: A renewable energy developer seeks to build a 308 MW wind facility within the proposed Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in southern Nevada. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
CLEAN ENERGY: A California city votes to acquire all power from renewable energy sources by default, while allowing businesses or residents to opt out. (Ventura County Star)
OIL & GAS:
• Alaska officials predict rising oil prices will increase tax revenues in the next two years and create a multi-billion dollar budget surplus. (Anchorage Daily News)
• Wyoming holds its most lucrative state land oil and gas lease sale in three years, generating about $2.7 million for schools and other institutions. (Casper Star-Tribune)
• An ongoing methane leak at a ConocoPhillips oil and gas facility on Alaska’s North Slope has significantly reduced crude production at the site. (Reuters)
UTILITIES: Arizona clean energy advocates and residents urge regulators to reject Salt River Project’s proposal to expand a natural gas plant in a historically Black community. (ABC15)
TRANSPORTATION:
• A California county calls on Gov. Gavin Newsom to suspend the 51-cent-per-gallon state gasoline tax to provide relief from high prices at the pump. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Auto manufacturer Volvo plans to install 60 electric vehicle charging stations at 15 Starbucks locations between Denver and Seattle. (FOX13)
GRID: Arizona researchers work to develop wildfire monitoring systems for sections of the power grid in remote areas. (news release)
COMMENTARY: A Montana clean energy advocate says NorthWestern Energy’s plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions rings hollow because the utility continues to build fossil fuel power plants. (Billings Gazette)