ELECTRIFICATION: Officials in Bellingham, Washington will consider a plan to ban all natural gas heating in homes — including in existing structures. (New York Times)
ALSO: A new report from the Rocky Mountain Institute says “removing fossil fuels from buildings” will be critical to meeting climate goals. (Reuters)
***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Intersolar North America, February 4-6 in San Diego. With a dynamic exhibition hall, comprehensive programming, and lively events, #isna2020 is the place to advance business, expand education, and drive networking. Register for free Expo Hall access.***
CLIMATE: 2020 is the first year that Colorado lawmakers are forced to confront the climate impact of some of their legislation. (Denver Post)
COAL: A New Mexico advocacy group for utility customers wants the state’s Supreme Court to give regulators more time to review the proposed closure of a major coal-fired power plant and related costs. (E&E News, subscription)
SOLAR: California environmentalists say solar power should be installed on rooftops, landfills, and other disturbed lands in urban areas — not fragile desert landscapes. (Desert Sun)
OIL & GAS:
• Environmental advocates says fracking in the Permian is expected to increase and could put local communities at risk by creating more air pollution and other environmental impacts. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy defends oil and gas development in the state, saying the alternative is further dependence on the federal government. (Anchorage Daily News)
• Suncor Energy is set to restart equipment “in the next few days” at its Commerce City, Colorado oil refinery that released a clay-like substance December 11 and spewed smoke and ash, alarming residents nearby. (Denver Post)
• California’s chief regulatory agency for oil and natural gas development changes its focus as the state’s oil and gas output decreases while low-carbon energy sources grow. (Natural Gas Intelligence)
TRANSMISSION: The Navajo Nation secures the rights to 500 megawatts of transmission capacity that could facilitate new renewable energy projects. (news release)
UTILITIES:
• Proponents of a Montana utility’s resource plan defend fossil fuels at a hearing before state regulators. (Billings Gazette)
• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis named energy attorney Susan Perkins to a four-year term on the state’s Public Utilities Commission. (Denver Post)
EFFICIENCY: A federal judge rules California can begin prohibiting the sale of several types of less-efficient light bulbs even as the U.S. Department of Energy works to reverse the expansion of definitions begun under the Obama administration. (Utility Dive)
GEOTHERMAL: Troubles with wastewater disposal at The Geysers geothermal field in northern California could put power customers on the hook for an estimated $400,000 in environmental charges. (Press Democrat)
MICROGRIDS: A community of senior citizens in Oakmont, California grapple with regulatory difficulties in implementing a community microgrid project. (Microgrid Knowledge)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join us for the 25th Annual Buying and Selling Electric Power in the West Conference, Jan. 23-24, featuring top energy experts to bring you strategies for an accelerated transition to clean power: Regulatory, legal, and market developments. Register soon.***
TRANSPORTATION: A Las Vegas car service is adding 30 Teslas to its fleet marketed toward high-end customers who might otherwise hail a limousine or black car service. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
COMMENTARY:
• A San Francisco editorial board says PG&E wildfire victims should be the priority for claims, not government agencies. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• A lawyer specializing in the energy sector says climate change and the resulting legal and regulatory responses are beginning to change the core business model of utilities. (Power Magazine)
• An associate professor at San Jose State University discusses the current challenges of California’s new solar requirement for housing and possible impact going forward. (KJZZ)