LITHIUM: A mining company postpones work on a major lithium project in Nevada in the wake of a lawsuit from environmentalists challenging the project’s Trump-era approval. (Reuters)

ALSO: Ranchers and Hualapai tribal members say a proposed lithium mine in Arizona would threaten their water supplies. (Phoenix New Times)

OIL & GAS:
• The developer of a massive methanol plant to be located on the banks of the Columbia River in Washington cancels the project, citing regulatory uncertainty. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• Oil and natural gas production from New Mexico reached record highs in March of this year, despite a public lands leasing freeze. (Energy Information Administration)

BIOFUELS: A New Mexico plant that uses dairy-cow manure to produce methane will begin operation later this year. (Roswell Daily Record)

GRID:
• With triple-digit temperatures forecast this week, California grid operators issue a conservation warning. (Fresno Bee)
• Californians see rising electricity prices due to rooftop solar credits and wildfire-prevention upgrades to the grid. (E&E News, subscription)
• Xcel Energy delays its entry into the Western Energy Imbalance Market to review its options. (RTO Insider, subscription)

SOLAR: Smoke from last year’s wildfires significantly dimmed solar output from southern California facilities. (Canary Media)

WIND: The company behind a proposed high-voltage, direct-current transmission line reaching from Wyoming wind facilities to a Nevada energy hub say construction will begin next year. (Wind Power Monthly)

ELECTRIFICATION: Developers of an all-electric housing development outside Denver buck consumer trends favoring natural gas. (Colorado Public Radio)

MICROGRIDS: A California Public Utilities Commission judge proposes slashing standby fees on microgrids. (Microgrid Knowledge)

UTILITIES: San Diego’s new utility franchise agreement requires a heightened level of oversight by the city. (Voice of San Diego)

COAL:
• The delayed timeline for a proposed carbon capture project at a New Mexico coal plant is elevating skepticism of the plan, which critics describe as a “boondoggle” that will never get off the ground. (Albuquerque Journal)
• U.S. Sen. Jon Tester urges the U.S. State Department to address pollution from Canadian coal mines that crosses the border into Montana. (Flathead Beacon)

CLIMATE: Alaska joins a multi-state effort to stop a lawsuit brought by climate activists to force the federal government to phase out carbon emissions. (KTOO)

COMMENTARY:
• The mayor of a California city says electricity rate hikes are only enriching power company executives. (Cal Matters)
• U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein says California’s desert conservation plan can serve as a template for solar and wind development. (Desert Sun)
• Oregon advocates say putting a price on carbon and returning the dividends to the people can garner bipartisan support for climate action. (Oregonian)
• A New Mexico congresswoman argues the state should limit emissions from vehicles to ward off climate change. (Albuquerque Journal)
• A New Mexico organizer says the state can prosper without the oil and gas industry. (Santa Fe New Mexican)

Jonathan hails from southwestern Colorado and has been writing about the land, cultures, and communities of the Western United States for more than two decades. He compiles the Western Energy News digest. He is the author of three books, a contributing editor at High Country News, and the editor of the Land Desk, an e-newsletter that provides coverage and context on issues critical to the West.