Biden administration adds five states to Western solar plan

SOLAR: The Biden administration adds Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming to the original six states in its federal land solar development plan, saying the additional 22 million acres are needed to meet the nation’s clean energy needs. (The Hill)

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ALSO:

• The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on a proposed 300 MW solar installation and associated transmission line in northern Nevada. (news release)
• A developer agrees to pay $2.3 million to settle claims it violated federal water laws at solar projects in Idaho and other states. (Associated Press)
• New Mexico residents urge county officials to further scrutinize a proposed solar-plus-storage project near Santa Fe before issuing a permit. (Santa Fe New Mexican)

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CLEAN ENERGY: Fierce debate breaks out over proposed Alaska legislation that would require utilities to generate 80% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2040. (Northern Journal)

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OIL & GAS:

• Colorado regulators adopt rules requiring oil and gas operators to disclose data on leaks and pipeline locations and increasing fines for violations. (Colorado Sun)
• The U.S. Forest Service withdraws its permit for a controversial proposed rail line that would link a Utah oil field with national lines and Gulf Coast refineries. (CPR)  
• Wyoming’s oil and gas industry pushes back on plans to designate a migration corridor for an imperiled pronghorn herd. (WyoFile)
• New Mexico lawmakers propose a flurry of bills that would tighten regulations on the oil and gas industry. (Capital & Main)
• Alaska officials predict the Willow and Pikka drilling projects will help increase North Slope oil production by more than 30% over the next decade. (Alaska Public Media)

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NUCLEAR: The Biden administration approves spending $1.1 billion to help keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in California running beyond its previously scheduled 2025 retirement date. (Associated Press)

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UTILITIES:

• A Northwest utility says it weathered the unexpected shutdown of its primary natural gas pipeline during a recent cold snap thanks to customers voluntarily reducing demand. (Spokesman-Review)
• Arizona utilities seek up to 625 MW of new renewable power capacity and 825 MW of “firm capacity,” including battery energy storage. (PV Tech)

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CLIMATE: Washington voters will have a chance this November to vote on a ballot measure to repeal or uphold the state’s two-year-old landmark climate policy. (Spokesman-Review)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A California air pollution control district receives $56 million in federal funds to develop an electric freight-truck charging network. (Turlock Journal)

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COAL: A Colorado private equity firm throws a financial lifeline to a struggling Wyoming coal processing company that claims a cleaner production method. (Cowboy State Daily)

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