NATURAL GAS: After NASA discovered last week that a Los Angeles natural gas plant has been leaking 10,000 cubic feet of methane per hour, a city official says it will take several months to address the problem. (Reuters)

ALSO: Lawyers for New Mexico, California, and environmental groups in a court filing argue a federal judge shouldn’t scrap an Obama-era methane rule simply because the Bureau of Land Management refuses to defend it in court. (Bloomberg Law)

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GRID: Nevada utility regulators unanimously approve launching a formal investigation into the state’s electric capacity problems. (Nevada Independent)

CLEAN ENERGY: A California project is helping to transition disadvantaged communities from wood and propane to cleaner energy sources. (Fresno Bee)

NUCLEAR: Another Utah city votes to withdraw from participating in a next-generation nuclear power plant, citing uncertainty about rising costs. (Daily Herald)

PUBLIC LANDS:
• The Navajo Nation criticizes the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs for holding virtual forums instead of direct outreach on an oil and gas plan, noting the majority of tribal members lack broadband internet access. (New Mexico Political Report)
• The Bureau of Land Management’s first oil and gas lease sales in five months results in weaker bidding in New Mexico than before the pandemic. (Reuters)

OIL & GAS:
• Colorado’s two largest oil and gas producers say the state should defer to local governments regarding regulation of oil and gas above-ground impacts. (Denver Post)
• A federal judge suspends oil and gas operations in Wyoming greater sage-grouse habitat pending an appeal. (Bloomberg Law, subscription)

TRANSPORTATION: The DOE awards Southern California Gas more than $7.1 million for three projects advancing clean automotive transportation technologies. (news release) 

UTILITIES:
• Xcel Energy proposes reduced electric rates for up to 10 years for new and expanding Colorado businesses. (Denver Post)
• Nevada regulators reprimand Southwest Gas for attempting to pass on “inappropriate costs” to ratepayers. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• A California consumer group calls for more PG&E pricing tiers to help ratepayers using more electricity due to the current shelter-in-place and work-from-home economy. (Bay Area News Group)
• Hawaii regulators extend a moratorium on utility shutoffs through the end of the year. (Pacific Business News)

COMMENTARY:
• An energy markets advisor says California is an example of how unforeseen opportunities for energy investors will be created in states’ pursuit of 100% clean energy. (Forbes)
• A global energy company official explains why the reliability of California’s grid is an urgent concern, citing the necessity of expanding renewables generation and battery-style energy storage. (Capitol Weekly)

Lisa is a Lenape and Nanticoke Native American freelance journalist, editor and writer currently based in the U.K. She has more than two decades’ experience working in corporate communications and print and digital media. She compiles the Western Energy News daily email digest. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University; her specializations include data journalism and visualization. She is a member of the Native American Journalists Association, Investigative Reporters & Editors, Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Union of Journalists (U.K.).