Arizona co-op to use federal funds to build renewables, ditch coal

UTILITIES: An Arizona electric cooperative plans to use $845 million in federal funding to replace the last of its coal-fired generation with natural gas and solar and wind projects. (Arizona Republic)

GRID: A federal study finds carbon emissions from the Western U.S. power sector could drop 73% if 12 transmission projects under development are completed by 2030. (RTO Insider, subscription; news release)

SOLAR: The U.S. EPA awards New Mexico $156 million to fund a program expected to bring a total of 77 MW of rooftop and community solar capacity and battery storage to more than 20,000 low-income households. (New Mexico Political Report)

STORAGE: A southern California city approves a proposed grid-scale battery energy storage project after fire officials assured the public that it wouldn’t pose a greater risk than existing industrial facilities. (NBC San Diego)

HYDROPOWER: A Colorado city proposes adding a second turbine to its hydroelectric dam to generate more power during fluctuating flows aimed at helping downstream fish. (Aspen Journalism)

OIL & GAS: 

• New Mexico regulators release a draft study of reusing treated oil and gas wastewater for industrial purposes, finding that the process could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. (New Mexico Political Report)
• As California lawmakers begin debating Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to lower gasoline prices by requiring petroleum refiners to keep minimum fuel reserves on hand, experts predict the move would not significantly decrease the price at the pump. (KCRA, Los Angeles Times)
• Colorado advocates say bringing ranchers and environmentalists together to push for an oil and gas drilling ban on federal land in the western part of the state could serve as a model for other conservation efforts. (New York Times) 

MINING: The Havasupai Tribe in northern Arizona continues to push back against a newly reopened uranium mine near the Grand Canyon over fears it could contaminate drinking water. (AZ Mirror)

CLIMATE:

• A Nevada university releases its plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 by installing solar panels, expanding transit and purchasing renewable energy. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• A study predicts climate change-exacerbated droughts in the Southwest will last five days longer than previously forecasted as early as 2040. (Inside Climate News)

CARBON CAPTURE: Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon dismisses right-wing lawmakers’ criticism of his carbon capture boosting, saying the technology is necessary to keep coal viable in today’s regulatory environment. (Cowboy State Daily)

COMMENTARY: A Nevada advocate calls on the Biden administration to limit solar development on public land in the Amargosa Desert and push it onto nearby private lands instead. (Nevada Current)