COAL: A Montana House committee kills a bill aiming to save the Colstrip Power Plant and shield NorthWestern Energy from financial losses, citing ratepayer concerns. (Billings Gazette)
TRANSPORTATION:
• The Biden administration is expected as early as tomorrow to announce steps to end the federal government’s challenge to California’s emissions authority. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)
• Five Western governors are among 12 nationwide urging President Biden to establish a clear regulatory path committing to 100% zero-emission car sales by 2035. (Wyoming Public Media)
• California’s Air Resources Board expects a state program’s electric vehicle subsidies to be used in 30 days due to higher than expected demand. (Electrive)
• A UCLA study finds that California’s electric vehicle strategy needs to be focused on equity in order for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mandate requiring all new cars to be zero-emissions by 2035 to be reached. (news release)
CLIMATE:
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares a drought emergency for two Bay Area counties. (East Bay Times)
• Colorado environmental groups and some Democratic lawmakers say a proposed climate bill aiming to reduce emissions needs clear, enforceable regulations rather than relying on voluntary compliance. (Colorado Public Radio)
OIL & GAS:
• The Bureau of Land Management suspends oil and gas lease sales from public lands through June. (Associated Press)
• Environmental advocates are pushing for more emissions controls at Suncor’s suburban Denver oil refinery as the permits for the problem-plagued facility come up for renewal. (Colorado Sun)
• BP confirms plans to stop routine flaring in the Permian Basin by 2025, and electrify 75% of its wells in the region by the end of this year. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden introduces a bill that would create an emissions-based incentive program aiming to accelerate clean power, clean transportation, and energy efficiency investments. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• The Southern California Regional Energy Network launches a training program to prepare former at-risk youth for clean energy careers. (news release)
HYDROPOWER: Washington’s congressional delegation introduce a federal bill aiming to strengthen the Pacific Northwest’s permitting process for pumped storage hydroelectric projects and increase renewable energy. (news release)
HYDROGEN: Southern California Gas is set to demonstrate new technology that produces hydrogen from renewable natural gas for refuelling buses. (H2 View)
STORAGE: A Hawaii energy storage company hopes to make renewable energy more accessible. (Business Insider)
SOLAR:
• Several environmental groups file a lawsuit challenging a California’s county’s approval of a proposed large-scale solar energy and battery storage facility. (Livermore Independent)
• A 500 kW ground-mounted solar array is helping students and faculty at a Colorado high school become active contributors to reduce energy use and increase sustainability. (Solar Power World)
• University of Colorado students design a net-zero solar home in one of the coldest mountain communities in the country. (Colorado Sun)
COMMENTARY:
• The founder of a New Mexico bioenergy and carbon capture firm says the state is uniquely positioned to lead in climate change mitigation efforts. (KRWG)
• An advocate explains how a Colorado county is making good progress towards achieving a 25% reduction in emissions set out in its climate action plan. (Vail Daily)