GEOTHERMAL: Organizers of the Burning Man festival sue the Biden administration over its approval of a proposed geothermal power development in northwestern Nevada, saying it ignored potential impacts on springs and wildlife. (Reuters)
ALSO: Energy analysts urge Utah municipal utilities to cancel plans to build small modular reactors in Idaho and instead acquire power from less-costly geothermal projects proposed in Nevada. (IEEFA)
CLIMATE: California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes cutting $6 billion from climate programs, including electric vehicle incentives, to offset a projected $22.5 billion deficit. (Los Angeles Times)
CRYPTOCURRENCY: Oregon lawmakers consider a bill that would require data centers and cryptocurrency miners to comply with the state’s clean energy goals. (Oregonian, subscription)
UTILITIES:
• A New Mexico utility regulator resigns less than two weeks after his appointment, citing a lack of educational qualifications. (Associated Press)
• Arizona regulators reject proposals to end subsidies for gas lines in new developments. (Arizona Daily Star)
OIL & GAS:
• Energy analysts say the lack of interest in federal oil and gas leases offered recently in Alaska reflects the industry’s growing reluctance to invest in new projects. (KDLL)
• An oil company sues Los Angeles over its ban on new oil and gas drilling, saying the city failed to conduct a proper environmental review of the new law. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• The Biden administration defers consideration of a proposal to crack down on oil and gas ozone pollution in the Permian Basin. (Bloomberg)
• Environmental advocates rally at the White House and call on the Biden administration to reject ConocoPhillips’ proposed Willow oil drilling project in Alaska. (Anchorage Daily News)
• The U.S. Interior Department establishes an office to oversee federally funded orphaned oil and gas well cleanup. (news release)
• Environmental advocates call on the Biden administration to phase out oil and gas production on public land and stop authorizing new drilling projects until potential climate impacts are analyzed. (news release)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: An Oregon nonprofit says it will use an $85,000 grant from Pacific Power to support equitable access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. (KTVZ)
NUCLEAR: California environmental groups challenge federal regulators’ authority to extend the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant’s operating licenses beyond its scheduled 2025 retirement. (news release)
GRID: The U.S. Energy Department awards $3 million to Washington State University to work on enhancing power grid resilience for underserved communities. (news release)
POLITICS: New Mexico watchdogs criticize Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham after oil and gas companies and utilities donate thousands of dollars to her inaugural celebration. (Santa Fe Reporter)
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