Ute Mountain Ute Tribe plans 756 MW solar installation

SOLAR: The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe expects to break ground later this year on a planned 756 MW solar installation on its land in southwestern Colorado. (KSUT)

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ALSO: A California lawmaker introduces legislation that would require state regulators to consider all economic and environmental benefits of rooftop solar when setting net metering rates. (PV Magazine)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• An Idaho county votes to draft an ordinance banning utility-scale wind and solar facilities on private land after some residents raise concerns about effects on wildlife and views. (East Idaho News)
• Utah lawmakers advance legislation that would establish tax credits for significant investments into low-emissions energy infrastructure. (Deseret News)

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UTILITIES:

• Hawaiian Electric says a $175 million Maui wildfire recovery fund will launch March 1. (Utility Dive)
• An Arizona utility seeks proposals to develop 1,200 MW of new peak generating capacity and up to 2,500 MW of carbon-free capacity. (Utility Dive)
• Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer urges residents to run for the state’s utility commission to give ratepayers representation they currently lack. (Billings Gazette)
• California regulators approve Pacific Gas & Electric’s $18 billion wildfire mitigation plan. (Action News Now)

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OIL & GAS: Occidental Petroleum predicts its plan to inject captured carbon into its Permian Basin oil and gas wells will increase crude production by as much as 12,000 barrels daily by 2026. (E&E News, subscription)

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PIPELINES: Tribal nations and advocates push back against a proposed pipeline that would carry Permian Basin natural gas to an export terminal in Mexico, saying it threatens sacred sites and could fuel the LNG boom. (DeSmog)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Flagging electric vehicle sales in California raises questions about the state’s ability to meet its ambitious climate goals. (Los Angeles Times)
• California’s energy commission plans to spend $1.85 billion over the next four years to expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, with the bulk of the funding going toward medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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CLIMATE:

• Montana asks the state’s Supreme Court to overturn a lower court’s 2023 finding that the state’s fossil fuel-friendly policies violate residents’ right to a healthy environment. (Daily Montanan)  
• Colorado lawmakers propose eliminating parking minimums, saying it would reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. (KDVR)
• Washington state lawmakers advance bills that would use carbon-auction revenues to buy electric school buses and incentivize utilities and individuals to transition to clean energy. (Crosscut)
• Wyoming lawmakers hold a legislative hearing promoting the belief that climate change isn’t happening, is inconsequential or is beneficial. (WyoFile)

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GRID: Los Angeles’ municipal utility votes to move forward with joining California’s grid operator’s extended day-ahead power market. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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WIND: Oregon commercial fishermen and Indigenous communities criticize the Biden administration’s finalization of wind energy areas off the state’s southern coast, saying the federal agency failed to account for potential impacts. (Oregonian)

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