CLIMATE: In a repeat of 2019, Oregon Republicans walked out of the state legislature yesterday to prevent a vote on cap and trade legislation, but Democrats believe they will eventually prevail. (Oregon Capital Bureau, KATU)
ALSO:
• Concerns are growing over Colorado’s new climate plan which includes phasing out the use of certain hydrofluorocarbons, which account for less than 1% of Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions annually. (Westword)
• Helena, Montana officials pass a resolution setting a goal to switch to “100% clean, renewable electricity” by 2030. (KTVH)
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ELECTRIFICATION: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a bill into law preventing cities and towns in Arizona from banning natural gas hookups. (Phoenix New Times)
CALIFORNIA:
• PG&E’s CEO reveals a contractor and two of the utility’s former employees were involved in “possible fraud”. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• The City of Santa Rosa is set to sue PG&E for what it cost to save the city from the Kincade fire last year. (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
HYDROPOWER: Seventeen groups with opposing views on dams and salmon are calling on Pacific Northwest governors and Native American tribes to collaborate on a plan to recover salmon and steelhead. (Idaho Statesman)
MICROGRIDS:
• Some microgrid developers declined to bid for PG&E’s microgrids solicitation, citing concerns about tight deadlines and the overall effectiveness of the utility’s strategy. (Microgrid Knowledge)
• A high-fire-risk district in Northern California hit hard by PG&E’s public-safety power shutoffs is seeking microgrids that use clean energy sources with storage. (Microgrid Knowledge)
NUCLEAR:
• A bill requiring New Mexico’s legislature to formally oppose the transportation and storage of high-level nuclear waste dies in committee. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• A California lawmaker introduces a bill to count nuclear energy as emission-free under California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. (KEYT)
POLLUTION: Colorado residents near a Suncor Energy refinery fear state regulators’ negotiations over unmet air pollution standards and violations won’t resolve site problems. (CBS Denver)
COAL: A Wyoming House committee advances a bill aiming to incentivize coal exports. (Wyoming Public Media)
OIL & GAS:
• New Mexico’s Land Commissioner says her office has the funds to conduct a study on the bond money oil and gas companies are required to put up before drilling. (Associated Press)
• New Mexico officials are investigating a possible oil spill reported on the Black River near Carlsbad where pipelines were being drilled and installed. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
SOLAR: Critics say an Oregon utility’s billing changes for home solar systems would penalize early adopters under new state rules. (Statesman Journal)
STORAGE: Monterey County, California’s Planning Commission is set to consider a PG&E-backed battery energy storage facility project. (Monterey Herald)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Utah lawmakers introduce a bill aiming to expand electric vehicle infrastructure in the state through a partnership with Rocky Mountain Power. (Deseret News)
COMMENTARY:
• The business manager of a California electrical union says Sen. Bernie Sanders’ plan to take over PG&E would worsen the state’s electricity problems. (CalMatters)
• The president of Montana’s Chamber of Commerce says NorthWestern’s plan to acquire additional generation capacity at Colstrip is critical for the state’s continued economic growth. (Great Falls Tribune)
• A California columnist says the road to public ownership of PG&E is a long but necessary one. (Daily Bruin)