POLITICS: The shape of Arizona’s energy future could hinge on November’s governor’s race, pitting a renewables- and efficiency-friendly Democrat against a nuclear-boosting Republican. (E&E News)
UTILITIES:
• A report commissioned by California regulators finds aging infrastructure and supply chain constraints have hampered Pacific Gas & Electric’s efforts to reduce wildfire risk. (Merced Sun-Star)
• An Arizona ballot measure that would require political nonprofits to disclose donors’ identities stems from a 2014 case in which the state’s largest utility secretly spent $10.7 million on a regulatory board election. (Marketplace)
OIL & GAS:
• A methane emissions provision in the Inflation Reduction Act could unintentionally spur oil and gas development in New Mexico, where methane rules are strong but funding for enforcement is sparse. (Capital & Main)
• A California judge allows Kern County to repair flaws in its plan to streamline oil and gas permitting rather than invalidating the document as environmental groups urged. (Bakersfield Californian)
COAL:
• Colorado environmental justice advocates call on regulators to step up monitoring of pollution from a coal power plant and other industrial facilities in Pueblo. (Colorado Sun)
• A developer proposes constructing a truck-to-rail loading facility in southwestern Utah that could be used to ship coal from a nearby mine to West Coast export terminals. (Salt Lake Tribune)
EFFICIENCY: Utah clean energy advocates say proposed state energy efficiency mandates would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utility bills, making housing more affordable in the long run. (KSL)
SOLAR: Seven utility scale solar projects are in various stages of development on federal land in La Paz County, Arizona, including a proposed 350 MW facility and an approved 600 MW installation expected to go online next year. (Parker Pioneer)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• California launches a demonstration vehicle-to-building project using stored energy in electric transit buses to power air-conditioning at a public library. (news release)
• Tesla opens a second dealership on tribal land in New Mexico, enabling the company to bypass a state law that prohibits manufacturer-direct car sales and repairs. (Source NM)
NUCLEAR: A Washington state startup launches a feasibility study for installing a nuclear fusion unit at the state’s last remaining coal power plant. (Nuclear Engineering International)
COMMENTARY:
• A Wyoming rancher urges southern Idaho residents to support a proposed wind power facility, saying his state has reaped benefits — with minimal drawbacks — from similar development. (Idaho Capital Sun)
• A California editorial board urges voters to reject a “precipitous and premature” ballot measure that would tax the wealthy to fund electric vehicle subsidies. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
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