California court upholds state rooftop solar rule

SOLAR: A California appeals court rejects a petition to overturn a new state policy cutting compensation for rooftop solar; petitioners say they may take the case to the state Supreme Court. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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ALSO: A survey finds California’s solar industry has lost about 17,000 jobs since regulators slashed net metering rates for residential installations. (news release)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• Two Montana cities approve a clean energy tariff program that would open the door for the communities and residents to fund future renewable power projects. (Montana Free Press)  
• Wind and solar leases generated less than 1% of New Mexico state land revenue in 2023, but officials say the number will ramp up as large transmission and wind power projects come online. (Albuquerque Journal)

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ELECTRIFICATION: A small Colorado town’s proposal to decarbonize buildings by banning natural gas hookups in new construction runs up against the nation’s largest natural gas-only utility’s opposition and political power. (NPR)

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UTILITIES: Wyoming regulators approve a 5.5% Rocky Mountain Power rate hike after the utility admits its proposed 29.2% increase was partly based on a major accounting error. (WyoFile)

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STORAGE: An Arizona utility brings a 100 MW battery energy storage system online in the southern part of the state. (Renewable Energy World)

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TRANSITION: Northwestern New Mexico economic development officials seek $100 million in state funds to expand the fossil fuel-reliant region’s energy economy by creating a hydrogen production hub. (Farmington Daily Times)

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CLIMATE:

• An appeals court finds Oregon’s 2022 regulations aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions are invalid due to an administrative error, but the state says it retains authority to adopt and enforce what’s considered one of the nation’s strongest climate programs. (Associated Press)
• The Makah and Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribes in Washington state file lawsuits aimed at holding several oil companies accountable for their contributions to climate change. (Common Dreams)

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COAL: A Utah coal mine that has been on fire since last year is “idled indefinitely” and plans to lay off its remaining 150 employees in January. (Salt Lake Tribune, subscription; Argus Media)

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CARBON CAPTURE: The U.S. EPA publishes draft injection well permits for sequestering carbon dioxide from a hydrogen production facility in southern California, the agency’s first for the state. (E&E News, subscription)

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HYDROPOWER: A Colorado organization acquires Colorado River water rights from an Xcel Energy hydropower plant in an innovative $100 million deal. (Aspen Journalism)

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NUCLEAR: The Columbia nuclear power plant in Washington state completes its initial 40-year operating phase with plans to continue to keep operating at least until 2043. (Tri-City Herald)

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OIL & GAS: Federal analysts predict natural gas prices will remain low through the winter, digging into tax revenues in gas-producing states like Wyoming. (Oil City News)

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BIOFUELS: California awards $4 million to planned bioenergy facilities that will burn forest restoration waste to generate power. (Biofuels Digest)

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