OIL & GAS: California regulators plan to begin capping 5,300 orphaned oil and gas wells across the state, including some in urban Los Angeles that have spurred health complaints for years. (Los Angeles Times)

ALSO: The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on a proposed natural gas pipeline right of way reassignment in southern California. (news release)

URANIUM: Federal land management agencies hold public hearings on the proposed Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument in northern Arizona that would ban future uranium mining on 1.1 million acres. (Deseret News)

POLLUTION: California regulators issue air quality alerts as high temperatures elevate ozone levels in the southern part of the state. (Los Angeles Times)

UTILITIES:
• A Wyoming city’s mayor says Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed 29% rate increase could be life-threatening to those who can’t afford electricity during extreme heat and cold. (WyoFile)
• Records show Arizona Public Service has donated more than $360,000 to Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs since she was elected, raising questions about influence-peddling. (Arizona Republic)
• New Mexico regulators plan a closed meeting on the retired San Juan coal plant, raising concerns about transparency. (Source NM)

SOLAR:
• Salt Lake City joins 17 other Utah counties and cities in a program aimed at helping communities reach 100% renewable energy by 2030. (KUER)
• The federal Bureau of Land Management solicits public input on two proposed solar installations in central Arizona totalling 350 MW. (news release)

WIND: Vestas plans to invest $40 million in its wind turbine manufacturing facilities in Colorado and hire up to 1,000 new employees by the end of 2024. (Connect CRE) 

CLEAN ENERGY:
• A southern Idaho economic development official says the presence of several utility-scale clean energy projects attracts businesses to the region. (Times-News)
• A southern Idaho county considers pausing new utility-scale wind and solar permitting for private lands after some residents protest clean energy development. (Times-News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Pacific Gas & Electric launches programs aimed at expanding low and moderate income communities’ access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (news release)

HYDROGEN: A New Mexico environment official touts hydrogen production as a way to revive the flagging natural gas industry in the northern part of the state. (NM Political Report)   

COAL: Public Service Company of New Mexico plans to begin demolishing the defunct San Juan coal plant in the northern part of the state in coming months. (NM Political Report)

GEOTHERMAL: Researchers in Utah and Nevada look to use advanced hydraulic fracturing techniques to tap geothermal energy deep underground. (Wired)

NUCLEAR: Northwest Energy signs a development agreement with a nuclear energy startup on a proposed small modular reactor installation totaling 960 MW in central Washington state. (news release)

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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.