CLIMATE:
• Data suggest that economic growth is no longer directly tied to carbon emissions. (Washington Post)
• It’s becoming less likely that global warming can be limited to 2 degrees. (Washington Post)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• A study finds that doubling global renewable energy capacity could save $4.2 trillion a year. (Reuters)
• New Jersey lawmakers again consider a bill to set an 80 percent renewable energy standard. (NJ Spotlight)
• Why there are “mixed feelings” about Utah’s recently passed clean energy bill. (Greentech Media)
• Military leaders say combat readiness is driving their clean energy push: “We don’t do green.” (ClimateWire)
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CLEAN POWER PLAN: Merrick Garland, President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, would represent “a big shift from Scalia” on climate issues. (Mother Jones)
WIND: The Interior Department announces it will lease 127 square miles off Long Island as a potential offshore wind site. (New York Times)
SOLAR:
• California regulators are expected to decide today whether to allow the Ivanpah solar plant, which has failed to meet production expectations, to continue operating. (Bloomberg)
• Colorado regulators reject a proposed community solar expansion by Xcel Energy, saying the deal struck with solar companies is not in the public interest. (Denver Post)
• The fate of a Maine net metering bill is in question as key Republicans say state regulator should decide the issue instead. (Portland Press Herald)
• A Nevada regulator says the solar industry is exaggerating the impact of the state’s recent net metering changes. (Arizona Republic)
• Virginia’s governor announces a 20 MW solar project with Microsoft offsetting some of the costs. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Developers withdraw plans for a 12-acre solar project in Oregon amid opposition from neighbors. (Salem Statesman Journal)
TECHNOLOGY: Nevada lawmakers, along with Leonardo DiCaprio, tour Tesla’s battery gigafactory. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
OIL AND GAS:
• Chemicals from major gas leaks in Alabama and California are still causing health problems for people who live nearby. (InsideClimate News)
• A federal judge accuses the Interior Department of “running out the clock” on a disputed lease on Montana land considered sacred by the Blackfoot tribe. (Associated Press)
• Environmentalists call for tightening restrictions on exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. (InsideClimate)
COAL:
• An analysis finds 88 percent of the production of the top three U.S. coal companies is on federal lands. (InsideClimate News)
• An active coal mine in Southern Illinois owned by Peabody Energy exemplifies fears over whether the company will be able pay to clean it up as it faces bankruptcy. (Midwest Energy News)
• Arch Coal executives were paid $8 million in bonuses the day before the company filed for bankruptcy in January. (ClimateWire)
• Pacific Coast and Interior West states diverge even further on the future of coal. (Los Angeles Times)
• Why the coal industry is closely watching natural gas prices. (Bloomberg)
OVERSIGHT: Consumer and environmental advocates push FERC to create an office of public participation, to finally comply with a 1978 directive from Congress. (NPR)
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UTILITIES: The CEO of Dynegy says he continues to be influenced by former NRG Energy executive David Crane. (EnergyWire)
COMMENTARY:
• How a “too clever” financial structure is bringing down SunEdison. (New York Times)
• Why battery storage will be key to a clean-energy grid. (Utility Dive)