EMISSIONS: A new Colorado regulation requires some operations to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the state. (Colorado Public Radio)
COAL:
• A lawsuit aiming to revive an Obama-era moratorium against BLM coal sales on Western public lands is thrown out by a federal judge. (Associated Press)
• Montana lawmakers accuse the state’s utilities regulator of abandoning consumer concerns in handling NorthWestern Energy’s application to purchase more of Colstrip Unit 4. (Billings Gazette)
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TRANSPORTATION: Automakers working with California regulators on reducing emissions are refraining from joining a new challenge to the Trump administration’s plans to cut fuel economy standards. (The Hill)
CALIFORNIA: PG&E announces almost 90% of its wildfire victims voted in favor of the utility’s bankruptcy plan. (San Francisco Chronicle)
OIL & GAS:
• The BLM says its temporary breaks on royalties are only granted “when it is in the best interest of conservation to do so or when it would encourage the greatest ultimate recovery of our natural resources.” (Casper Star-Tribune)
• New data shows that the Permian Basin is no longer the fracking king of the U.S. thanks to the oil market crash. (San Antonio Express-News)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Nevada is expected to continue growing despite the coronavirus crisis, thanks to state incentives. (KUNR)
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GRID: California’s grid operator announces four Colorado utilities are joining the Western Energy Imbalance Market. (news release)
COMMENTARY:
• The general counsel for Navajo Power says the Navajo Nation needs support in encouraging renewable energy investment on its lands as coal declines. (Arizona Central)
• A Colorado editorial board says the coronavirus crisis teaches important lessons on the need to find innovative ways to reduce climate change. (Boulder Daily Camera)
• A former utility executive explains why it’s important for California’s elected officials to enact laws to provide reliable electricity and minimize climate damage. (Sacramento Bee)
• San Luis Obispo, California’s mayor says the threat of protest with “no social distancing” by a union leader over the city’s climate change policy should be investigated by state officials. (CalMatters)
• Two trustees of the Wyoming chapter of the Nature Conservancy say the state’s overlooked emissions-free energy opportunity is with new nuclear energy technologies and the state’s uranium resource to power them. (Casper Star-Tribune) [EDITOR’S NOTE: The Nature Conservancy has clarified that this commentary does not reflect the views of their organization]