OIL & GAS: New Mexico environmental and Indigenous advocates sue the state, alleging its oil and gas permitting policies discriminate against marginalized communities and violate the state constitution. (Source NM) 

ALSO: Alaska’s oil and gas industry launches a campaign opposing state legislation that would increase taxes on oil companies to reduce the state deficit. (Anchorage Daily News)

NUCLEAR: Southeast New Mexico leaders laud federal regulators’ approval of a proposed nuclear waste dump in their region, putting them at odds with the state’s governor and congressional delegation who oppose the facility. (Carlsbad Current-Argus) 

COAL:
• A mining company executive says the U.S. EPA’s proposal to tighten mercury and air toxin rules could force the early closure of the Colstrip coal power plant in Montana. (E&E News, subscription) 
• Montana’s coal production continues a years-long decline, but at a slower rate than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Billings Gazette)

TRANSMISSION: A Nevada county upholds its approval of a high-voltage transmission line after some residents raised concerns about the project. (This Is Reno)

WIND: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signs a bill barring blinking red wind turbine lights from operating when no low-flying aircraft are nearby. (Tri-City Herald)

SOLAR:
• Colorado residents push back on a utility’s proposal to add fees and restructure rates, saying it would discriminate against customers with rooftop solar. (Aspen Daily News)
• A clean energy investment fund brings a 3.7 MW community solar project online in Oregon. (news release)

CLEAN ENERGY: The U.S. Energy Department awards $26 million to wind, solar and clean grid demonstration projects, including ones in Oregon, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado and New Mexico. (PV Magazine)

HYDROPOWER:
• U.S. senators from Washington and Montana sponsor legislation that would expedite federal hydropower project licensing. (Bloomberg Law)
• National laboratories in the Northwest partner with Idaho Power to explore using hydropower to produce hydrogen. (news release)
• Federal energy analysts predict this summer’s hydropower generation in California will be 72% higher than last year’s due to high winter and spring precipitation. (EIA)

TRANSPORTATION: Tucson, Arizona’s city council votes to extend a moratorium on public transit fares while it seeks local partners to help fund the system. (Arizona Daily Star)

COMMENTARY:
• Energy analysts say a proposal to equip the nearly 60-year-old Four Corners coal plant in New Mexico with carbon capture is too risky, too expensive and would hinder efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. (IEEFA)
• An advocate says the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rejection of oil companies’ bid to move Colorado communities’ lawsuits to federal court could be a “signal moment in the climate fight.” (New Yorker)  

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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.