SOLAR: A new report finds that utility-scale solar installations are accelerating on tribal lands in the Southwest due in part to the emergence of battery-storage technology, policy changes, and falling prices. (T&D World)
ALSO: Developers have reached a power purchase agreement for a 200-megawatt solar project in Kern County, California. (Power Engineering)
CLEAN ENERGY: New modeling shows that of all states, Colorado may be the best prepared for a large-scale transition to clean energy — with the cleanest of three scenarios being the cheapest. (Vox)
UTILITIES: Xcel Energy-Colorado faces questions about its fossil fuel spending as the company argues for a rate increase with state regulators. (Denver Post)
CALIFORNIA:
• PG&E faces $6.3 billion in bankruptcy and wildfire costs this year, including possibly having to pay bankers and certain stock owners $1 billion in fees for arranging a bankruptcy exit plan. (Bloomberg)
• PG&E customers are set to receive bill credits totaling $90 million for the first of the utility’s public safety power shutoffs last month. (Sacramento Bee)
• Inspection records reveals eight PG&E towers passed inspections before last year’s Camp Fire, but failed afterwards. (NBC Bay Area)
• Contra Costa County, California fire investigators confirm PG&E electrical equipment started two wildfires last month. (East Bay Times)
GRID: California’s utility regulators “reluctantly” approved a controversial extension for two gas-fired generators and ordered electricity providers to secure 3.3 additional gigawatts of reserve supplies as the state faces potential shortfalls within two years. (Orange County Register and Bloomberg, subscription)
POLICY: New Mexico legislators say the state’s utility regulators are moving too slowly and overstepping their authority in carrying out New Mexico’s new clean energy law. (Albuquerque Journal)
NUCLEAR: Idaho grants a waiver to the Department of Energy that would allow spent nuclear fuel in the state for research purposes. (Associated Press)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A shuttle fleet in California is demonstrating the longevity of Tesla’s electric cars, with some vehicles approaching 500,000 miles. (Quartz)
OIL & GAS: A new group formed to fight an Alaska ballot initiative that seeks to boost oil production taxes filed with the state division of elections this week. (Anchorage Daily News)
COMMENTARY:
• The Wiyot Tribe of California says a proposed wind energy project will provide few local benefits and ruin a sacred space. (Lost Coast Outpost)
• Democratic Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer says climate change demands urgent action, especially in Nevada. (Reno Gazette Journal)
• Two Washington State climate advocates say local action on climate change is even more imperative in the wake of the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. (Seattle Times)
• An editorial board explores the friction between the State of California and President Trump on energy efficient light bulbs. (San Francisco Chronicle)