CLIMATE: A federal judge sides with California over the Trump’s administration’s challenge to the state’s cap and trade program. (The Hill)
ALSO: A new poll suggests Colorado voters support aggressive action on climate change. (Colorado Springs Gazette)
***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Veterans Advanced Energy Week, August 10-13, a virtual learning experience dedicated to military veterans and spouses in advanced energy and national security. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org. ***
CALIFORNIA:
• PG&E is reportedly making significant efforts to improve safety as the next wildfire season nears. (New York Times)
• Critics are questioning if California’s new Wildfire Safety Division will manage to prevent more utility power line fires. (San Francisco Chronicle)
COAL: Colorado’s newest coal plant was supposed to retire in 2070, but now it appears unlikely to survive beyond 2030. (Big Pivots/Vail Daily)
SOLAR: New “potentially game-changing” solar technology appears to be working as planned at a New Mexico recycling center. (Albuquerque Journal)
OIL & GAS:
• Chevron announces a $5 billion deal to purchase an energy company that will expand the oil giant’s presence in Colorado’s Denver-Julesburg Basin and the Permian Basin. (CNBC)
• The Permian Basin now has 124 oil and gas rigs in operation, down from 316 one year ago. (Houston Chronicle)
• A survey of oil companies across a region that includes Colorado, Wyoming and northern New Mexico finds that roughly one third could not survive more than a year on their current revenue level. (Tulsa World)
POLITICS:
• Republican Wyoming Senator John Barrasso wants the Department of Energy to open a satellite office in the state. (news release)
• Supporters of Montana U.S. District Judge Brian Morris, who halted construction on the Keystone XL pipeline, is fair and equitable and simply applied federal laws. (Montana Standard)
PUBLIC LANDS: The Bureau of Land Management is facing criticism for its upcoming planned oil and gas lease auction of 80,000 acres of public land in Utah. (Deseret News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Fresh Energy’s Truly Affordable Webinar Series on Thursdays in July! Now more than ever the topic of affordable, energy efficient housing has become even more critical.***
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Durango, Colorado-based energy and resource conservation company has secured a state contract for electric vehicle education, outreach and support for the seventh consecutive year. (Durango Herald)
COMMENTARY:
• A California journalist says energy costs are a significant contributor to the state’s high rate of functional poverty. (Cal Matters)
• A Los Angeles Times editorial says “the world cannot afford to backslide on environmental protections.”