GRID: A Colorado Public Utilities Commission study finds the state’s utilities could save up to $230 million annually by participating in a regional transmission organization. (Utility Dive)
UTILITIES:
• New Mexico regulators approve El Paso Electric’s plan to invest $1.2 million in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the southern part of the state. (Daily Energy Insider)
• Colorado regulators begin hearings this week on Xcel Energy’s proposed plan to cut carbon emissions 87% by 2050. (Denver Post)
• An Arizona regulator says the state’s utilities risk overbuilding renewable energy resources at ratepayers’ expense, but renewable advocates say increasing solar and wind capacity is utilities’ most cost-effective path. (Utility Dive)
OIL & GAS:
• A Honolulu water utility shuts off one of its wells to prevent contamination from the leak-plagued U.S. Navy Red Hill fueling facility. (Associated Press)
• Hawaii Gov. David Ige joins the state’s congressional delegation calling on the Navy to suspend Red Hill operations until the drinking water contamination crisis is resolved. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
• The Alaska state agency that purchased oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in January plans to spend more money to develop the tracts, even though the Biden administration put the leases on hold and the Democrats’ reconciliation bill could permanently ban drilling in the refuge. (Reuters)
• Some environmental advocates say the Biden administration neglected to make major federal oil and gas leasing program reforms to preserve political support for more significant climate moves such as tightening methane emissions rules. (Inside Climate News)
• New Mexico researchers develop a membrane to remove salt from oil and gas wastewater so the water can be reused for energy or farming. (The Paper)
• Smaller, independent companies lead recent record-breaking Permian Basin oil and gas production growth, a study finds. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
SOLAR:
• The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on a proposal to reduce rental rates and capacity fees on existing and new solar and wind projects on public lands. (news release)
• Officials unveil a solar project that powers 94 affordable rental units in a California city, saving each renter an estimated $47 monthly via net metering and utility credits. (Daily Republic)
GEOTHERMAL: A Colorado startup looks to use warm wastewater from aging and abandoned oil and gas wells to generate geothermal power. (KUNC)
BIOFUELS: A California company proposes restarting an idled biomass power plant and equipping it with carbon capture and sequestration technology. (Bakersfield Californian)
CLIMATE: The South Lake Tahoe, California, city council considers committing to using 100% renewable, carbon-free electricity by 2030. (Tahoe Daily Tribune)
COMMENTARY:
• Proposed changes to California’s rooftop solar net metering policies would make solar more expensive and “undermine the nation’s largest and most robust rooftop market,” an editorial board warns. (Los Angeles Times)
• A Montana writer says the most damaging part of the 1920s Teapot Dome scandal — selling federal oil and gas far below market value — continues to harm the public today. (Montana Standard)
• A Colorado city leader says the best way to cut ozone pollution is to strengthen methane emissions regulations for the oil and gas industry. (Colorado Sun)
• A Montana environmental advocate says NorthWestern Energy’s proposal to build a natural gas plant near the Yellowstone River puts profit over protection of natural resources and building healthy communities. (Missoulian)