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)

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.).