EMISSIONS: A new study shows five Western cities among the top ten across the country leading in relative emissions reductions, with Los Angeles and San Francisco showing the strongest results. (Greentech Media)

CLIMATE:
• California voters are reportedly encouraged by the Biden-Harris campaign’s climate change proposals. (Los Angeles Times)
• Critics say a Denver ballot measure that would increase sales tax to raise funds for clean energy projects lacks detail on how the city would implement its strategies. (Colorado Sun)

OIL & GAS:
• The collapse of New Mexico’s oil and gas industry could last years to come, making economic diversification even more imperative for the state’s fiscal health, economic analysts warn. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• Colorado communities and landowners are concerned about oil companies following through on their obligations to decommission and clean up well sites if the industry’s downturn continues. (Denver Post)
• A new Center for Biological Diversity report shows that California’s 10 largest oil and gas producers reserve as little as $80 per well for cleanup in state bonds, the same organization plans to sue the state over new fracking permits. (news release, CalMatters)
• Proposed changes to a Colorado rule aiming to balance oil and gas development and conservation concerns could better protect the state’s wildlife. (Pew Charitable Trusts)

POLLUTION: Washington’s Puyallup Tribe of Indians is considering suing Electron Hydro over a 116-year-old dam threatening Puyallup river fish. (Crosscut)

CALIFORNIA: California’s grid operator and utility regulators say it’s still not entirely clear what caused the state’s rolling blackouts in August. (KQED)

UTILITIES:
• Experts say an acquisition agreement between New Mexico’s largest electricity utility and a renewable energy development company could help it build a renewable energy economy. (Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque Business First)
• Two Utah communities face planned blackouts for two days due to the threat of wildfire amidst high winds and extremely dry conditions. (Deseret News)

TECHNOLOGY: A NV Energy pilot program is using blockchain-enabled smart meters to track kilowatts of clean energy. (Greentech Media)

COMMENTARY:
• A Vox journalist says geothermal energy has strong potential in Western states and could provide a lifeline for oil and gas workers.
• A former Colorado senator and a climate advocate say a continued Trump presidency will result in irreversible damage to Western states. (Denver Post)
• A California lawmaker says hydrogen production and storage would help the state to better leverage its renewable energy capabilities in avoiding rolling blackouts. (Mercury News)

Lisa Ellwood

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.).