California approves Soda Mountain solar plant

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Western Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

CLEAN ENERGY

• California’s Energy Commission overrides local and environmental opposition to approve the proposed 300-MW Soda Mountain solar-plus-storage project in the Mojave Desert at the urging of climate advocates. (San Bernardino Sun, news release)

• Golden State Wind agrees to a Trump administration plan in which the energy firm agrees to cancel its federal leases off California’s coast, not pursue new offshore wind projects in the U.S., and invest the recovered fees into oil and gas development. (Utility Dive, news release)

• Salt Lake City joins Rocky Mountain Power’s Community Clean Energy Program, clearing the way for the city to tap into more renewable energy. (KSL)

GRID

• A Democratic California lawmaker introduces legislation that would allow virtual power plants to compete with fossil-fueled peaker plants, potentially helping the state curb fast-rising utility rates. (Canary Media)

NUCLEAR

• Hi Tech Solutions looks to establish a nuclear workforce training center in Brigham City, Utah, the first phase of officials’ plan to develop a ​“nuclear energy ecosystem” in the agricultural community. (Salt Lake Tribune)

• Colorado advocates push back on pro-nuclear energy legislation that would create a state permitting czar, allow utilities to charge ratepayers for nuclear research, and encourage cities to host new reactors. (Colorado Sun)

UTILITIES

• Alaska regulators say rising natural gas prices for utilities will likely increase customers’ electricity bills by about 5% annually. (Northern Journal)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Colorado lawmakers consider compromise legislation that would allow the Ray Nixon coal plant to continue operating until 2032, three years after its scheduled retirement date. (Big Pivots)

• New Mexico economists say rising oil prices stemming from the conflict in Iran will boost tax revenues in the near-term, but warn leaders that the outsized reliance on fossil fuels exposes the state to volatility. (KRQE)

• The Bay Area Air District fines Valero $3.25 million for multiple pollution violations and ongoing compliance issues at its refinery in Benicia, California. (CBS News)

POLITICS

• Industry officials urge Wyoming lawmakers to expand and accelerate regulatory and financial subsidies for fossil fuels, uranium, and other minerals to take advantage of the Trump administration’s ​“energy dominance” agenda. (WyoFile)

DATA CENTERS

• Oracle announces plans to use methane fuel cells to power its contested Project Jupiter data center in southern New Mexico, saying the technology will produce fewer emissions and use less water than previously proposed gas turbines. (Santa Fe New Mexican, news release)

• Fleet Data Centers proposes to construct 350 MW of behind-the-meter natural gas and diesel turbines to power its facilities under development in northern Nevada. (Nevada Independent)

MINING

• Mariana Minerals resumes operations at an idled southeastern Utah copper mine using AI, autonomous drills, and robotic haul trucks. (Deseret News)

GEOTHERMAL

• The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on 68 proposed geothermal leases on nearly 200,000 acres in New Mexico. (news release)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Local policies to get buildings off gas keep winning in court — Alison F. Takemura

• US battery startup builds factory in China after nixing Kentucky plant — Julian Spector

• Why are blue states scapegoating energy efficiency? — Sarah Shemkus

• Virginia’s new law blocks counties from banning solar — Elizabeth Ouzts

• Supreme Court won’t hear appeal in Ohio utility bribery case — Kathiann M. Kowalski