NUCLEAR: New Mexico sues the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission over a proposed nuclear waste repository, saying the agency is overstepping its authority and citing risks to nearby oil and gas production. (Albuquerque Journal, Carlsbad Current-Argus)

OIL & GAS: Senators from Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Utah are among those calling on the EPA to waive its Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements, citing challenges facing the oil refining industry. (Biomass Magazine)

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GRID: A proposed Colorado bill would direct utilities to join regional transmission networks and create an independent authority to build transmission lines. (Denver Post)

UTILITIES:
• A law professor and former California regulator says PG&E should be investigated for obstruction of justice for withholding documents during a federal investigation of last year’s deadly and destructive Zogg Fire. (ABC10)
• An amended lawsuit aims to void San Diego mayor Todd Gloria’s decision to open bidding on electric and gas franchise agreements set to expire soon, which critics say favors current holder San Diego Gas & Electric. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Tacoma Power’s pilot demand response project is offering a discounted electricity rate to green hydrogen producers. (Utility Dive)

COAL:
• Wyoming lawmakers advance a bill to create a $1.2 million fund to sue other states that divest from coal. (Casper Star-Tribune)
• A Montana utility is closing a 44 MW coal-fired power plant tomorrow in a bid to cut costs. (Montana Free Press)

PUBLIC LANDS:
• The Bureau of Land Management gets a federal judge’s approval to rescind its Western Colorado fracking plan, and must now redo its climate impact analysis. (news release)
• Conservationists petition the Bureau of Land Management to protect a rare plant’s habitat from a proposed Nevada lithium mine. (news release)

RENEWABLE ENERGY:
• Missoula, Montana and the state could miss their renewables targets if state lawmakers allow NorthWestern Energy to avoid a $2.5 million fine for not complying with the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. (Missoula Current)
• Residents of a small Central California county are reducing their energy bills and the amount of power bought from PG&E through solar-plus-storage and energy efficiency equipment installations. (Energy Storage News)

SOLAR:
• New Mexico’s U.S. Senators advocate for more solar investment in their home state. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• A California county is at odds with state lawmakers over a solar tax exclusion, voting in favor of the legislation sunsetting as scheduled in 2024. (Bakersfield Californian)

WIND: An energy company withdraws its request for expedited site certification for a Washington wind farm project. (KNDO/KNDU)

MICROGRIDS: A microgrid developer is building a 5 MW microgrid project at a California potato farm incorporating on-site combined heat and power, solar and energy storage. (Power Engineering)

COMMENTARY: A Juneau, Alaska renewables and climate advocate explores the city’s need for hydropower to achieve its goal of 80% energy from renewable sources. (Juneau Empire)

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.).