CLIMATE: A U.S. Court of Appeals rules climate lawsuits by California cities and counties can proceed in state court instead of a federal venue thought to be more favorable to the energy industry. (Associated Press)

OVERSIGHT: Democratic attorneys general led by California and New York have been largely successful in lawsuits to halt Trump administration efforts to roll back Obama-era climate and environmental regulations. (E&E News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship.***

CLEAN ENERGY: The Sierra Club unveils a $6 trillion stimulus plan to develop infrastructure and clean energy. (The Hill)

SOLAR:
• A Wisconsin utility proposes to spend $900 million on six solar projects totaling 675 MW of capacity, part of a plan to save ratepayers $2 billion over the next three decades. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• A Virginia government agency that oversees energy and mining development launches a technical assistance program to help local governments with solar projects. (Energy News Network)

COAL:
• Power companies have announced plans this year to retire 13 coal plants. (E&E News, subscription required)
• Companies owned by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s family, including some coal mine operators, have been involved in more than 600 lawsuits over unpaid bills in more than two dozen states. (ProPublica) 

OIL & GAS:
• Oil executives are still expecting big bonuses despite the market collapse. (Reuters)
• The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline has a long history of spills and other incidents. (E&E News)
• A federal judge cancels oil and gas leases on 470 square miles of federal land in Montana and Wyoming, ruling the BLM did not do enough to protect greater sage grouse. (Associated Press)
• Texas lost more than 26,000 oil and gas industry jobs in April due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Houston Chronicle)
• The coronavirus pandemic has stalled pipeline projects in Louisiana as the oil industry struggles. (New York Times Magazine)

GRID: Hawaii’s largest utility is planning a 185 MW solar/storage project to offset the closure of the state’s last coal-fired power plant. (Greentech Media)

TRANSMISSION: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorses a transmission line under development for several years that would deliver Canadian hydropower to New York City. (Financial Post)

TRANSPORTATION: Experts say an “unprecedented experiment” underway in how people get around could have major long-term impacts on oil markets. (E&E News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Tesla is cutting prices for cars in North America to help boost demand. (Reuters)

***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Network’s 40 Under 40 today.*** 

CLEAN ENERGY: A Maine technology association organizes virtual education programs to introduce students to clean energy concepts and technologies. (Energy News Network)

COMMENTARY: Conservative clean energy advocates say Congress “should seize this opportunity to modernize the nation’s power system with investments that will pay dividends for the economy and the environment for generations.” (The Hill)

 

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.