CALIFORNIA: PG&E’s federal bankruptcy judge has approved a settlement agreement between the utility and bondholders who agreed to withdraw their competing bankruptcy exit plan. (San Francisco Chronicle)
ALSO: A judge demands more details on what the utility knew before equipment failures that sparked wildfires, asking “What good are inspections that don’t find problems?” (ABC10)
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CLIMATE: Federal judges are expected to hear arguments today on whether California cities’ climate lawsuits can proceed in state, rather than federal, court. (San Francisco Chronicle)
COAL:
• There are 20 coal plants left in the West without specific dates to fully retire. (Los Angeles Times)
• The Navajo Nation makes a case for Tucson Electric Power to pay $100,000 per megawatt of coal capacity it owns in three plants being retired on or near the reservation. (Utility Dive)
EFFICIENCY:
• A New Mexico state senate committee passes two bills aiming to help low-income households become more energy efficient. (New Mexico Political Report)
• A Colorado county considers rules requiring new homes to be suitable for net-zero energy conversion. (Summit Daily News)
ELECTRIFICATION: Developers are scrambling to keep up as cities introduce policies prohibiting new natural gas connections. (New York Times)
SOLAR: Proposed legislation aiming to expand community solar projects in New Mexico passes its first state senate committee. (New Mexico Political Report)
TRANSPORTATION: Utilities in California and Oregon still face numerous challenges as they prepare the grid for an influx of electric vehicles. (Utility Dive)
NUCLEAR:
• Spent fuel at the Idaho National Laboratory can be kept on-site past 2023 under the terms of a new agreement. (Associated Press)
• PG&E’s offer of carbon-free power at no charge from its Diablo Canyon power plant to main rivals in Northern California continues to be criticized. (East Bay Express)
OIL AND GAS:
• An Oregon lawmaker predicts a legal battle if the Trump administration tries to force approval of a liquified natural gas export project. (Associated Press)
• Colorado activists want the state to penalize 316 oil and gas producers with a maximum daily fine of $15,000 for each violation highlighted in a state audit. (Denver Post)
UTILITIES:
• A Wyoming cooperative has a plan to increase the amount of renewable energy offered to members while maintaining or reducing rates. (Scottsbluff Star Herald)
• Montana utilities are being criticized by customers for seemingly not being able to budget for state property taxes without implementing new tariffs. (KXLH)
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POLLUTION: A 10-year study indicates Utah’s campaign against burning wood or other solid fuel is working, showing a dramatic reduction in pollution along the Wasatch Front. (Deseret News)
COMMENTARY: An Arizona lawmaker says her caucus is prepared to protect the state’s environment from climate change. (Arizona Capitol Times)