CRYPTOCURRENCY: The former head of the Bonneville Power Administration warns U.S. lawmakers of cryptocurrency miners’ energy effects, saying that when they flocked to the Northwest in search of cheap hydropower, the power-intensive process drove up energy costs while creating few local jobs. (Spokesman-Review) 

GEOTHERMAL: A federal appeals court will consider an environmental group and the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe’s legal challenge against a proposed Nevada geothermal facility. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS: Los Angeles County officials call for an independent study into the 2015 Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility blowout’s health effects on nearby residents. (Los Angeles Times) 

SOLAR:
• An Arizona utility and the Navajo Nation partner to build a 200 MW solar installation near the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. (Associated Press)
• A Colorado developer provides income for farmers and ranchers by leasing drought-stricken agricultural land for solar installations. (news release)
• A California media outlet’s informal survey finds strong opposition to state regulators’ proposal to slash net metering payments for rooftop solar. (Los Angeles Times)
• California regulators indefinitely postpone a scheduled decision on proposed solar net metering policy changes. (KPBS)
• Utah energy officials say a lack of state incentives and inadequate transmission hamper solar development in the state. (Salt Lake Tribune)

STORAGE: A California pool of community choice aggregators agrees to purchase power from a 69 MW long-duration lithium-ion battery installation. (S&P Global)

GRID:
• Colorado regulators will study how climate change-exacerbated extreme weather could affect the state’s grid after a devastating wildfire left thousands without power. (Colorado Public Radio)  
• New Mexico regulators create a road map to guide the state’s utilities, researchers and consumers through the transition to a zero-carbon grid. (news release)
• Analysts say the key to creating a successful Western regional transmission organization is letting member states set their own energy policies. (Nevada Independent)
• Three Northwest utilities reach an agreement advancing a proposed high-voltage, 290-mile transmission line scheduled to come online in 2026. (Bend Bulletin)

UTILITIES: Colorado consumer advocates say Xcel Energy’s proposed $182 million rate-hike increase will burden low-income customers. (Denver Post)

TRANSPORTATION:
• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis proposes delaying implementation of a 2 cents-per-gallon gasoline fee meant to fund infrastructure repairs due to high fuel prices. (Times-Call)
• California awards a clean-transportation and an energy research group $13 million to begin creating a medium- to heavy-duty electric vehicle charging network. (news release)

COAL: A major Western railroad that hauls coal from the Powder River Basin asks a judge to prevent its workers from going on strike. (Associated Press)

PUBLIC LANDS: Public lands experts predict the U.S. Interior Department this year will overhaul the federal oil and gas and coal programs, accelerate renewable energy permitting and tighten hardrock mining rules. (E&E News, subscription)

Jonathan hails from southwestern Colorado and has been writing about the land, cultures, and communities of the Western United States for more than two decades. He compiles the Western Energy News digest. He is the author of three books, a contributing editor at High Country News, and the editor of the Land Desk, an e-newsletter that provides coverage and context on issues critical to the West.