SOLAR: The Bureau of Land Management approves a 350 MW solar and storage project to be built on public land in southern California. (Reuters, news release)

ALSO:
• Arizona’s largest utility expands its request for solar proposals, looking to add  as much as 150 MW by early 2023. (Solar Industry)
• Oregon researchers find solar panels increase the productivity of lamb pastures by providing shade and increasing the quality of forage. (Tillamook Headlight Herald)

UTILITIES: San Diego Gas & Electric backtracks on a claim that it produces 45% of its energy from renewable sources. (Voice of San Diego)

GRID: Hawaii regulators last week approved a 185 MW storage project, but with conditions that the state’s largest utility reduce constraints on community renewable energy projects and stick to a timeline for retiring fossil fuel units. (Pacific Business News)

OIL & GAS:
• In reaction to Dakota Access pipeline opposition, Montana lawmakers pass a bill that would criminalize protests at “critical infrastructure” facilities, part of a wave of states passing similar legislation. (Grist)
• Neighbors of a Denver-area refinery urge state officials to deny permits for the facility, with one calling it “a poster child facility for environmental racism.” (Colorado Sun)

COAL:
• Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signs two laws nullifying parts of an agreement governing the Colstrip power plant; opponents say the move violates the 10th Amendment. (Billings Gazette)
• Tri-State Generation is backing a Biden administration proposal to help co-ops retire coal plants, putting it at odds with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. (Energy and Policy Institute)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The Wyoming Department of Transportation is conducting a survey gauging interest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (Oil City News)
• Utah is joining a multi-state partnership to promote electric vehicles. (Fox 13)

TRANSPORTATION: Conservative groups in Colorado say they will push a ballot measure to cut the state’s gasoline tax, but did not specify an alternative way to subsidize car infrastructure. (Center Square)

HYDROPOWER: An Alaska tour company is building its own hydropower facility to reduce reliance on diesel generators. (KHNS)

COMMENTARY:
• An editorial board urges support for a climate bill in the Colorado legislature, which it calls “a precise piece of smart policy” to achieve emissions reductions. (Denver Post)
• A battery company executive says lithium mining in Nevada will be critical to fighting climate change. (Nevada Independent)

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Ken Paulman

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.