COAL: Xcel Energy will close its last two coal plants in Minnesota by 2030 under an agreement with environmental and labor groups. (Greentech Media)
ALSO:
• A top Democrat criticizes the U.S. EPA for not participating in a hearing about the health effects of toxic mercury air pollution. (The Hill)
• Illinois lawmakers have until the end of the month to pass more stringent regulations for coal ash storage sites. (Energy News Network)
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SOLAR:
• Environmental justice advocates say a Massachusetts program has failed to extend solar power access to low-income communities. (Energy News Network)
• New Hampshire legislators quintupled the state’s net metering cap in legislation that passed with a veto-proof majority. (Utility Dive)
WIND:
• GE is investing $400 million to develop the biggest, tallest, and most powerful wind turbine in the world. (Vox)
• Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signs a law that could make it more difficult to install wind energy transmission lines on private property. (Associated Press)
• Cables connected to a Rhode Island offshore wind farm will be buried to their proper depth after they became briefly exposed last summer. (Cape Cod Times)
CITIES:
• Minneapolis and Seattle encourage denser housing development, which helps boost public transit and reduce emissions from commuting. (Grist)
• Salt Lake City moves up its timeline to use 100% renewable energy from 2032 to 2030. (Fox 13)
• Eau Claire, Wisconsin, takes climate change action through renewable energy and transportation initiatives. (Blugold Media)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A major oil company is offering electric vehicle charging at a handful of its California gas stations. (Bloomberg)
BIOMASS: Activists in Mississippi protest Enviva, which wants to build its largest wood pellet mill yet in their community. (Jackson Free Press)
HYDROPOWER: Quebec’s premier is on a trade mission to New York City and Washington, D.C. to promote the province’s hydropower as the “battery of North America.” (CBC)
OIL & GAS: Millions of abandoned oil and gas wells in Appalachia cause concerns about climate change and public safety. (E&E News)
PIPELINES:
• The Texas Senate advances a bill to stiffen penalties for people who damage or trespass near oil and gas operations. (Associated Press)
• Massachusetts officials admit an air quality permit for a proposed compressor station was issued based on incomplete data. (State House News Service)
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POLITICS:
• Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bennet releases a climate plan that includes a $1 trillion fund to underwrite research and projects. (Denver Post)
• Amy Klobuchar is the latest 2020 presidential candidate to pledge not to accept campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry. (The Hill)
COMMENTARY:
• The director of the Native Organizers Alliance says Native leadership is inspiring the world to mobilize against fossil fuels. (The Hill)
• The lack of detail in Tesla’s recent solar price cut announcement raises questions, says the founder of a solar price comparison website. (Greentech Media)