Trump blocks controversial Idaho wind project

WIND: President Trump issues an executive order halting work on the recently approved Lava Ridge wind project in southern Idaho, saying it “is allegedly contrary to the public interest and suffers legal deficiencies.” (Idaho Statesman)

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SOLAR:

• The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on the 400 MW Snake River solar project, the 500 MW Taurus wind facility and a shared battery storage installation proposed for Idaho. (PV Magazine)
• A Colorado town greenlights a community solar project on private land. (Wet Mountain Tribune)

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CLEAN ENERGY: A California lawmaker introduces legislation that would extend state renewable energy tax incentives in an effort to preempt Trump administration cuts. (E&E News, subscription)

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LITHIUM: The Biden administration finalized a nearly $1 billion loan for the contested proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada. (Nevada Current)

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COAL: PacifiCorp cancels scheduled coal plant retirements in Utah, citing state and federal regulatory changes. (Utah News Dispatch)

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UTILITIES:

• Xcel Energy proposes an initiative aimed at reducing natural gas use and emissions in Colorado mountain communities through electrification, efficiency upgrades and modular backup generators. (Summit Daily News)
• A judge orders Southern California Edison to preserve data, equipment and evidence relating to the Altadena Fire after several lawsuits accuse the utility of sparking the blaze. (Los Angeles Times)

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GRID: Urban Alaska utilities warn customers to prepare for rolling blackouts as a natural gas shortage intensifies. (Northern Journal)

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OIL & GAS: Portland, Oregon’s city council begins considering issuing a permit to Zenith Energy’s contested oil storage facility and terminal. (KOIN)

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BUILDINGS:

• Montana State University plans to spend up to $50.5 million to upgrade its buildings’ energy efficiency. (news release)
• A California city proposes replacing its suspended natural gas hookup ban with an energy efficiency mandate for new buildings. (San Jose Spotlight)

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CLIMATE: New Mexico advocates rally at the state capitol and call on lawmakers to take immediate action to mitigate the climate crisis. (Source NM)  

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NUCLEAR:

• Bipartisan Colorado lawmakers introduce legislation that would classify nuclear power as clean energy, saying it would help communities weather coal plant retirements. (Summit Daily)
• The Biden administration awarded Idaho and Wyoming entities $1.7 million to establish and train an advanced nuclear reactor workforce. (news release)

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BIOFUELS: Northern California advocates look to shut down a biomass power plant fueled by wood waste, saying it emits climate-warming carbon and other pollutants. (JPR)

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EMISSIONS:

• The Biden administration awarded Colorado State University $326 million for projects aimed at helping small petroleum firms and tribes monitor, measure and reduce oil and gas facilities’ methane emissions. (Coloradoan)
• The Biden administration awarded four entities $13.7 million aimed at advancing large-scale conversion of carbon emissions into other products, including two projects in California. (Biofuels Digest)
• The U.S. EPA finds dozens of leaks at an Oregon landfill are emitting dangerous levels of methane. (OPB)

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