Federal regulators a no-show on Permian Basin oil and gas pollution

OIL & GAS: Researchers find highly elevated oil and gas-related air pollution in a mostly Latino Permian Basin community, but federal regulators have yet to intervene. (Capital & Main)

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PUBLIC LANDS: Utah files a lawsuit seeking control of some 18.5 million acres of unappropriated federal lands in the state, claiming Biden administration regulations hamper oil and gas and other development. (Associated Press)

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COAL: The U.S. EPA tentatively rejects parts of Utah regulators’ plan to reduce smog-forming emissions from two coal power plants in the central part of the state. (E&E News, subscription)

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GEOTHERMAL: California regulators extend the public comment period for proposed geothermal plants near the Salton Sea after environmental justice groups raise concerns. (Holtville Tribune)

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SOLAR: A company brings a 200 MW solar installation online to help power its gold mine in Nevada. (news release)

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WIND:

• A Washington state energy siting council releases revised recommendations for the proposed Horse Heaven wind and solar facility after Gov. Jay Inslee rejected previous more restrictive suggestions. (Center Square)
• The U.S. Energy Department issues a request for information related to offshore wind transmission development along the West Coast. (Renewable Energy Magazine)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• U.S. Treasury Department data show more than 41,000 Nevada families have taken advantage of Inflation Reduction Act clean energy tax credits. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• Washington state wildlife officials seek public input on proposed utility scale wind and solar facility siting guidelines. (KHQ)
• A southern California community power organization awards local nonprofits $1.2 million to fund clean energy and efficiency projects. (City News Service)

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GRID:

• Faculty and advocates push back against a Colorado university’s plan to upgrade its heating, cooling and electrical plant with new natural gas turbines, saying it is too costly and will do little to reduce emissions. (Colorado Sun)
• An Idaho study finds increasing electricity demand, ongoing drought and competition from wind, solar and natural gas generation have diminished hydropower’s share of the state’s energy mix over the last 20 years. (Idaho Capital Sun)
• California officials plan to issue flexible demand appliance standards for electric storage water heaters later this year. (PV Magazine)

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UTILITIES: Montana regulators order NorthWestern Energy to provide more information before they will consider the utility’s proposed rate hike. (Daily Montanan)

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CLIMATE:

• Washington state awards 41 tribal nations and other organizations $14 million from its carbon cap-and-invest program to fund climate change mitigation projects. (NBC Right Now)
• Oregon officials propose managing 83,000 acres of state forest for capturing and storing carbon dioxide. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: California awards a San Francisco Bay Area ferry service $5 million to install floating charging stations. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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BIOFUELS: A western Colorado county supports studying the feasibility of establishing sustainable aviation fuel production facilities in the region. (Biofuels Digest)

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