LITHIUM: The U.S. Energy Department conditionally commits to lending up to $700 million to the developers of the controversial Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine proposed for western Nevada. (Canary Media) 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The Wyoming lawmaker who introduced a bill that would phase out electric vehicle sales by 2035 to “ensure the stability” of the state’s oil and gas industry now says he only meant to signal opposition to California’s ban on gasoline-powered vehicles. (Teslarati, Washington Post)
• A Seattle, Washington, utility says vandals have damaged and stolen copper wires from eight of its electric vehicle charging stations over the last year. (KOMO) 

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GRID: A New Mexico agency partners with a private firm to construct a $2-billion, 400-mile high voltage transmission line that would carry wind power across the northern part of the state. (Albuquerque Journal)  

COAL:
• Washington state utility Avista agrees to transfer its share of the Colstrip coal power plant in Montana to NorthWestern Energy. (Billings Gazette)
• Montana environmentalists urge federal and state regulators to shut down a scandal-plagued coal mine, saying its use of shell companies could allow executives to skirt cleanup obligations. (New York Times)  
• Wyoming researchers work to develop non-combustion uses for coal to keep the industry afloat as demand from the power sector wanes. (Casper Star-Tribune) 

OIL & GAS:
• New Mexico Indigenous and environmental advocates urge the U.S. EPA to strengthen and adopt proposed methane emissions regulations for oil and gas facilities. (NM Political Report)
• Utah files a legal brief defending the Biden administration’s 2021 approval of a proposed rail line that would carry crude from the Uinta Basin oil and gas fields across neighboring states. (Post-Independent)
• Colorado residents oppose a proposed oil and gas drilling project in the northeastern part of the state, citing potential impacts on wildlife and air and water quality. (Loveland Reporter-Herald)

SOLAR: Washington state residents urge regulators to block two, 80 MW solar power facilities proposed for the southern part of the state, saying they would harm wildlife and increase fire danger. (Yakima Herald-Republic)

CLEAN ENERGY: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ plan to establish a clean energy research and development center advances with the completion of a land swap. (Colorado Politics) 

COMMENTARY: A Yurok Tribe leader calls on state and federal officials to engage with tribal nations before developing offshore wind power facilities along California’s coast. (CalMatters)

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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.