Washington voters uphold landmark climate law

ELECTION: Washington voters reject a ballot measure that would have repealed the state’s landmark 2021 cap-and-invest program. (Washington State Standard)

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ALSO:

• A Washington measure to repeal restrictions on natural gas and prevent cities from banning the fuel in buildings appears poised to narrowly pass. (Washington State Standard)
• California voters approve a measure to authorize $10 billion in debt to spend on environmental and climate projects. (CalMatters)
• Fossil fuel-friendly Republicans lead in the race for three open seats on the state’s utility regulatory commission, potentially dealing a blow to clean energy. (AZPM)
• In a race for one of Arizona’s U.S. Senate seats, Democrat Ruben Gallego leads Republican Kari Lake, a pro-fossil fuel development candidate and climate change skeptic. (Associated Press)
• Independent candidate Elena Evans, who tapped into public outrage over a recent rate increase, is leading in her race for a seat on Montana’s Public Service Commission. Republican candidates Brad Molnar, Jeff Welborn, are also on track to win their races. (Daily Montanan)
• Honolulu voters pass an initiative to dedicate a portion of property tax revenues to climate change mitigation and clean energy development. (Hawaii Civil Beat, state elections board)
• New Mexico voters re-elect Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez in the congressional district that includes the Permian Basin. (New Mexico Political Report)

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GRID:

• Tribal nations worry the second Trump administration will kill funding for efforts to bring clean power to off-grid reservation homes. (E&E News)
• San Diego Gas & Electric warns nearly 25,000 southern California customers it plans power outages this week to reduce wildfire hazard during dry, windy conditions. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A California startup runs a low-speed demonstration of its solar-powered electric vehicle. (PV Magazine)

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NUCLEAR: Xcel Energy officials consider deploying small modular nuclear reactors in Colorado to replace fossil fuel generation and meet expected long-term power demand growth. (Aurora Sentinel)

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BIOFUELS: A firm begins construction on a California facility designed to convert landfill gas to pipeline-grade methane fuel. (news release)

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MICROGRIDS: California officials look to improve a state-funded program aimed at developing clean energy-powered microgrids on tribal land. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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CLIMATE: Oregon researchers work to develop seaweed-based cattle feed designed to reduce livestock’s methane emissions. (OPB)

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COMMENTARY: A Colorado county commissioner says a $2.5 billion federal grant will help Tri-State Generation transition away from coal, curb planet-warming emissions and reduce utility bills. (Colorado Sun)

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