Western Energy News is one of five regional services published by the Energy News Network. Today’s edition was compiled by Jonathan Thompson.

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OIL & GAS: A Colorado city considers buying out oil and gas companies’ mineral rights to halt drilling in the community. (Coloradoan)

ALSO:
• High oil prices spur companies to boost drilling and production at Permian Basin facilities. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• The operator of the Ruby natural gas pipeline running from Wyoming to Oregon declares bankruptcy, citing declining commodity prices and reduced demand. (Reuters)
• An oil and gas industry consultant finds Colorado’s new drilling regulations will cost a county about $1.6 million per year in lost tax revenue. (Glenwood Post-Independent)  

GRID:
• An analysis finds weather-triggered power outages have increased in duration and frequency in California and other states over the past several years due in part to climate change. (Associated Press)
• Hurricane-force winds batter Colorado utility lines, leaving more than 6,000 households without power. (CBS4)  

SOLAR:
• A Colorado farm with crops planted among solar panels plans to offer agrivoltaics classes. (Colorado Sun)
• Oregon energy siting officials say they are reviewing six proposals for utility-scale solar facilities in the state, a marked uptick from the past. (OPB)

CLEAN ENERGY: Tribal nations develop renewable energy projects on their lands to create jobs and build energy sovereignty. (InvestigateWest) 

GEOTHERMAL:
• An Alaska tribal nation receives $2.5 million in federal funding to develop a geothermal power project in an active volcano to reduce reliance on diesel generators. (Alaska Public Media)
• Colorado lawmakers advance a bill that would encourage home and commercial geothermal installations by exempting them from prohibitive regulations, similarly to how solar and wind are governed. (KOAA)

EFFICIENCY:
• A Colorado city votes to exempt victims of last year’s Marshall Fire from electrification and efficiency requirements when rebuilding destroyed homes. (Associated Press)
• New Mexico is set to receive up to $22 million in federal infrastructure funds to assist low-income families with weatherization and other energy efficiency upgrades. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• Utah State University opens a net-zero energy campus in the southeastern part of the state. (ABC4) 

TRANSPORTATION:
• California environmental advocates push a ballot measure that would tax the wealthy to fund electric vehicle rebates, EV charging infrastructure and wildfire-reduction programs. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• New Mexico lawmakers consider offering $500 direct payments and reduced public transit tickets to residents to offset high gasoline prices. (Las Cruces Sun-News)

COAL:
• A Canadian coal company blamed for selenium pollution in Montana rivers steps up efforts to overturn new state water quality standards. (Flathead Beacon)
• A Bitcoin mining company powered by a Montana coal plant says it plans to move its facility and use more sustainable energy sources. (Cointelegraph)

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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.