CLIMATE: New polling shows American concern about climate change is at its highest level in eight years. (Finance)
CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• Legal experts say the federal rules would likely be upheld if Merrick Garland is appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. (EnergyWire)
• Climate science deniers join the fight against the Clean Power Plan. (InsideClimate News)
• The Midwest’s grid operator projects more coal plant closures than originally expected to comply with the Clean Power Plan. (EnergyWire)
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OIL AND GAS:
• The California utility responsible for the Aliso Canyon gas leak warned of “unsafe conditions” in a 2014 rate case still pending before regulators. (Los Angeles Times)
• After receiving an ultimatum from a federal judge, the Interior Department cancels a lease for drilling on Montana land considered sacred by local tribes. (Associated Press)
• Colorado lawmakers advance a bill making it easier to sue oil and gas companies over earthquake damage, Gov. John Hickenlooper says the bill “raises serious concerns.” (Associated Press, Denver Business Journal)
• Texas groups say FERC’s rejection of an Oregon LNG terminal makes approval of similar facilities elsewhere less likely. (San Antonio Business Journal)
PIPELINES:
• In response to numerous accidents in recent years, the federal government moves to strengthen safety rules for the country’s natural gas transmission network.(Associated Press)
• TransCanada is spending $10.2 billion to buy a Houston company that will give it more access to U.S. shale plays. (Houston Chronicle)
COAL:
• The White House announces $65.8 million in economic revitalization funds for Appalachian coal communities. (Lexington Herald Leader)
• North Carolina’s governor abruptly disbands a state coal ash oversight committee. (Raleigh News & Observer)
• Kentucky’s state Senate approves a bill eliminating state inspections of coal mines. (Lexington Herald Leader)
• A lawyer is suing the operator of a Colorado Springs coal plant over pollution records. (KUSA)
• New Mexico regulators reject a request to investigate details of a utility’s role in financing a coal mine purchase. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
SOLAR:
• California regulators give the Ivanpah solar plant more time to avoid defaulting on a generation contract. (San Jose Mercury News)
• A California utility says the state’s current net metering laws are “forcing the low-income and working poor residents that we serve to pay for the solar of much wealthier people.” (PV Tech)
• How pending legislation in Maine could impact community solar. (Energy Policy Update)
• A Minnesota school district will install solar panels on all of its buildings as a way to cut down on electricity costs. (Farmington Independent)
WIND:
• An area off Long Island being considered for offshore wind may have enough potential to rival a nuclear power plant. (Bloomberg)
• New research suggests some bat species are more resilient to wind farm impacts than others. (Associated Press)
POLLUTION: The EPA rejects part of a southern California smog reduction plan, saying it has failed to cut emissions from refineries and other major sources. (Los Angeles Times)
RENEWABLES: A $4 million grant will help drive clean energy initiatives in Buffalo, New York. (Buffalo News)
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TRANSPORTATION: A lawsuit targeting a Denver freeway expansion says the project shouldn’t qualify for federal funds under the Clean Air Act because of pollution issues. (Denver Post)
COMMENTARY: How your tax dollars are being used to prop up failing coal companies. (Vox)