UTILITIES: A new study on Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s transition from coal to renewables says the utility is a standout example among similar power providers. (Denver Post)
ALSO: Tri-State’s legal battle with members trying to leave, set to go before Colorado regulators this week, is threatening the co-op’s finances. (Colorado Sun)
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SOLAR: A new analysis finds that the coronavirus crisis has disrupted five years of solar growth, but some larger California-based national companies have been better able to absorb slowdown costs than smaller companies. (Greentech Media)
WIND: Developers of a 600 MW wind farm in Washington state say the project is still on track despite disruption from the coronavirus pandemic. (Tri Cities Journal of Business)
CALIFORNIA:
• Attorneys involved in PG&E’s bankruptcy case say the majority of its wildfire victims support the utility’s bankruptcy plan. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• PG&E’s sentencing on 85 felony counts in connection with 2018’s Camp Fire is rescheduled to June 16 because of the coronavirus’s impact on court operations. (KRCR)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• A California policy expert says he sees “no evidence” that the state’s existing policies focused on transitioning to cleaner energy sources are in danger. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• A recent study finds that Facebook’s new data center in New Mexico is accelerating the state’s transition toward renewable electricity. (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)
OIL & GAS:
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom drops a proposal from the state’s budget that would have expanded the regulatory agency that oversees oil and gas drilling. (KQED)
• A global energy research firm expects the Permian Basin to have the biggest decline in fracking in May and into the summer, yet also make up one-third of the wells being completed this month. (Houston Chronicle)
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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Tucson, Arizona’s first electric bus goes into service. (Tucson.com)
COMMENTARY:
• A California editorial board says PG&E’s legal problems are adding to the challenges of preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. (Bakersfield Californian)
• Two former National Park Service officials say the BLM should be directed to halt oil and gas lease sales to protect New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• A Utah advocate says Wall Street banks that Republicans claim are “discriminating” against the oil and gas industry are simply making sound financial decisions. (Deseret News)