NUCLEAR: Bill Gates’ TerraPower company and PacifiCorp select a retiring Wyoming coal plant as the site for an advanced nuclear reactor, expected to go online by 2028. (Casper Star-Tribune)

CLIMATE: Colorado Democrats say they’ll back away from legislative requirements for emissions reductions that Gov. Jared Polis has threatened to veto in order to ensure passage of environmental justice measures. (Denver Post)

SOLAR:
• A controversial California rooftop solar bill failed to get enough votes to pass the state assembly Wednesday, but may get another vote today. (10News)
• NV Energy plans to add two solar-plus-storage projects totalling 600 megawatts to help replace a coal plant slated to close in 2025. (Solar Power World)

WIND: Washington’s largest private utility enters into a contract to purchase power from a Montana wind facility as part of its move toward clean energy. (Seattle Times)

GRID:
• A bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature would expand the size of solar and battery systems that can connect to the grid. (Canary Media)
• Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signs is expected to sign a bill that will accelerate a $2 billion transmission project and require the state’s utilities to join a regional transmission organization by 2030. (Engineering News-Record)

TRANSPORTATION:
• Colorado lawmakers pass a major transportation bill that increases fuel fees to fund infrastructure repairs, electric vehicle incentives, and electric public transit. (Colorado Public Radio)
• California officials urge the Environmental Protection Agency to restore the state’s authority to set stricter-than-federal limits on tailpipe emissions. (E&E News, subscription)
• An electric vehicle charging company is experimenting with allowing customers to make reservations at some West Coast charging stations. (Green Car Reports)

PUBLIC LANDS: Oil and gas and uranium companies have nominated 40,000 acres for mineral leasing and staked six mining claims within the original boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument this year. (KUER)

OIL & GAS: The New Mexico State Land Office sues an oil and gas operator for failing to plug 11 wells and clean up 1,000 acres of state land. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)

UTILITIES: A California community choice program files for bankruptcy after a year in operation, citing “multiple and ultimately disastrous events” in part due to the pandemic. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

ELECTRIFICATION: The Sacramento City Council this week passed an ordinance requiring all new homes and commercial buildings to run entirely on electricity. (KCRA)

CLIMATE: Honolulu passes a climate action plan committing the city and county to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. (Star-Advertiser)

COMMENTARY:
• An Arizona utility regulator says clean energy standards, rather than goals, are necessary to cut emissions and keep the state competitive. (Arizona Republic)
• A Colorado real estate manager argues a state energy benchmarking policy would be a key step toward reducing energy waste in buildings. (Energy News Network)
• A Wyoming rancher and former energy executive urges the state to accept the imminent demise of coal and prepare for the energy transition. (Casper Star-Tribune)

Jonathan hails from southwestern Colorado and has been writing about the land, cultures, and communities of the Western United States for more than two decades. He compiles the Western Energy News digest. He is the author of three books, a contributing editor at High Country News, and the editor of the Land Desk, an e-newsletter that provides coverage and context on issues critical to the West.