Advocates sue over Nevada lithium mine approval

LITHIUM: Environmental advocates and a Western Shoshone group file a lawsuit accusing the Biden administration of violating federal law when approving the proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium and boron mine in an endangered wildflower’s habitat in Nevada. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

CLIMATE:

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom travels to Seattle to help defend Washington state’s landmark climate law against a ballot measure aimed at killing it, saying the election’s result will have ​“national ramifications.” (Politico)
• An Arizona school board adopts an ambitious, student-spearheaded climate plan with a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2040. (Fast Company)
• Advocate Bill McKibben urges older voters in Arizona to prioritize climate action when filling out their ballots. (Arizona Republic)

ELECTRIFICATION: Advocates warn a Washington state ballot measure aimed at barring governments from restricting natural gas appliances and hookups could spread to other states and stifle electrification and efficiency incentive programs. (Mother Jones)

UTILITIES: Experts say climate change-related costs, fuel-price volatility and aging infrastructure drove the 17% average utility bill increase in Western states between 2018 and 2023. (High Country News)

GRID:

• California’s grid operator finds its Western Energy Imbalance Market has yielded participants $6.25 billion in benefits since its 2014 establishment. (Daily Energy Insider)
• A labor union switches stances and comes to support regional governance for the California grid operator’s day-ahead power market. (Politico Pro, subscription)

OIL & GAS: 

• Oregon advocates urge state regulators to deny an air quality permit for Zenith Energy’s fuel terminal in Portland, citing the potential for hazardous emissions and spills. (OPB)
• Alaska advocates say this presidential election’s outcome is just one of many factors affecting the future of oil and gas development and preservation efforts in the state. (High Country News) 

SOLAR:

• Federal data show Nevada, California and Utah have the nation’s largest share of utility-scale solar on their power grids. (Canary Media)
• The federal Bureau of Land Management advances the proposed Rough Hat solar installation west of Las Vegas even though Nevada advocates have petitioned to protect the area. (E&E News, subscription)
• Industry observers say federal approval of the Greenlink West transmission line in Nevada will enable up to 4,000 MW of new solar-plus-storage development once it’s built. (Reuters)
• Some New Mexico residents push back on a proposed 220 MW solar-plus-battery storage installation on private land near Albuquerque. (New Mexico Political Report)
• A developer proposes a 500 MW solar-plus-battery storage installation on private land in southeastern Colorado. (Energy Storage News, subscription)

HYDROPOWER: Western Colorado officials worry a hydropower plant’s frequent, extended outages could endanger the facility’s water rights. (Aspen Journalism)