Amid pandemic, can Colorado still lead on coal transition?

COAL: As the pandemic accelerates the economic crisis facing coal communities, Colorado takes the first steps toward what could be a nation-leading transition program. (Energy News Network) 

ALSO:
• A Powder River Basin Resource Council webinar on coal transition offers strategies and resources for communities to not be reliant on energy extraction. (Uinta County Herald)
• Wyoming is exploring opportunities for collaboration with MIT faculty and researchers to create a strong energy economy while lowering CO2 emissions. (Cowboy State Daily)
• The owner of a Wyoming coal mine confirms its workers will be furloughed due to the decreased demand for coal nationwide. (Casper Star-Tribune)

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NATURAL GAS: An electrification advocate says Southern California Gas’ lawsuit arguing that regulators have failed to promote natural gas as required by state law shows that the utility is ​“starting to feel the pressure” on the fate of gas in California. (Los Angeles Times)

OVERSIGHT: A high-ranking California utilities regulator claims she is being forced out of her job for trying to ​“clean up a broken CPUC.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

EQUITY: A new analysis explores New Mexico’s complicated history of environmental racism and fight for environmental justice. (University of New Mexico Newsroom)

OIL & GAS:
• An oil company faces criminal charges for failing to properly decommission wells in Los Angeles that have been linked to health problems. (Los Angeles Times)
• Colorado oil regulators approve a mill-levy rate increase on oil and gas production. (Greeley Tribune)
• New Mexico regulators say proposed new state regulations regarding produced water management were meant to create an alignment between a state conservation agency’s policies and state law. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• Wyoming’s oil and gas rig count falls to zero for the second time in 136 years because of market volatility and the coronavirus pandemic. (Casper Star-Tribune)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The Sacramento, California region will be the first test market for a new electric car subscription service priced at roughly $11 a day. (Sacramento Business Journal)

SOLAR: A new analysis explores the challenging circumstances that impacted the development of a solar system for a 15,000-square-foot Boulder, Colorado residence. (PV Magazine)

BATTERIES: A rare desert wildflower could jeopardize plans for a proposed lithium mine in Nevada. (Associated Press)

TECHNOLOGY: A Denver event center will be home to the largest sewer heat recovery energy system in North America. (Denver Post)

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POLITICS: Controversy over Bureau of Land Management nominee William Perry Pendley could have an impact on key western Senate races. (InsideClimate News)

COMMENTARY:
• Three California U.S. Representatives say the state needs a bold action plan to limit carbon pollution driving the climate crisis. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• A Colorado editorial board says Gov. Jared Polis deserves credit for achieving a compromise between energy-industry opponents and supporters. (BizWest)