OIL & GAS: Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette is criticized for comparing major banks’ refusal to finance oil and gas projects in the Arctic to “redlining” — discrimination against communities of color in banking and mortgage lending. (Axios)
ALSO:
• The BLM is refusing to disclose details about oil and gas companies applying for royalty relief. (E&E News, subscription)
• Wyoming’s oil and gas industry sees a glimmer of hope in yesterday’s increase in the price of a barrel of oil. (Casper Star-Tribune)
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COAL: Colorado regulators open an investigation to determine whether a Pueblo coal plant, once expected to run for 50 more years, could be retired as early as 2030. (Mountain Town News)
BIOMASS: Advocates say California can reduce the risk of wildfires and reduce emissions by harvesting flammable forest waste and burning it to generate electricity. (Yale E360)
EMISSIONS: California’s Air Resources Board wants a federal judge to order the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to turn over documents related to revoking the state’s Clean Air Act waiver. (Bloomberg Law)
CLEAN ENERGY: The director of the Washington State Department of Commerce says the state’s transition to a clean energy economy continues to be supported by Recovery Act projects. (Pew Charitable Trusts)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Xcel Energy files a $102 million proposal with Colorado regulators detailing how it will support expanding electric vehicle infrastructure. (Colorado Public Radio)
NUCLEAR: Nevada congressional lawmakers and state officials are again raising concerns about the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in the wake of last week’s 6.5 magnitude earthquake. (Las Vegas Sun)
PUBLIC LANDS:
• Indigenous groups, particularly those in Alaska and New Mexico, worry their concerns about the Trump administration’s plans to expand oil and gas development on public lands will not be heard. (Washington Post)
• A group of scientists says the BLM’s latest proposal to revise conservation strategies for greater sage grouse in seven western states appears to ignore science. (WyoFile)
SOLAR:
• A new report estimates Colorado solar companies will shed nearly 2,400 jobs by June. (BizWest Media)
• A New Mexico co-op that left Tri-State Generation to work with a clean energy start-up announces completion of a new 3 MW solar array. (news release)
TRANSMISSION: The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project asks the BLM to consider an alternative route for its clean energy line in New Mexico, citing environmental concerns. (Albuquerque Journal)
UTILITIES:
• New Mexico regulators approve one solar and one solar-plus-storage project that will service El Paso Electric customers beginning summer 2022. (Utility Dive)
• A Colorado city announces a new deal with a renewable energy supplier that is expected to lower customers’ rates. (Colorado Springs Gazette)
RENEWABLE ENERGY: A California project will use microgrid technology to provide clean energy for a disadvantaged community. (Energy + Environment Leader)
STORAGE: A Department of Energy official says long duration energy storage projects like Southern California’s 700 MW initiative are essential but require “appropriate regulatory frameworks.” (Energy Storage News)
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TECHNOLOGY: A University of Wyoming doctoroal student develops a way to monitor out-of-the-way areas with drone imagery, aiming to improve reclamation on oil and gas well pads. (Wyoming Public Media)
COMMENTARY: An energy economist explains why California will need to have dynamic pricing for electric services in place by 2030. (Utility Dive)