California judge preliminarily rejects micro-utility proposal

UTILITIES: A California regulatory judge preliminarily rejects Sunnova Energy’s proposal to establish a micro-utility to power residential communities with microgrids — a plan that could erode major utility monopolies in the state. (Bloomberg)

ALSO:
• Pacific Gas & Electric pleads not guilty to criminal charges stemming from the deadly 2020 Zogg Fire allegedly sparked by the utility’s equipment. (KCRA)
• Xcel Energy says Colorado customers’ electricity and natural gas rates will decrease this spring due to falling fuel prices. (Denver Gazette)

TRANSPORTATION: Utah advocates push back on a proposed bill that would lower gasoline taxes and add a tax on electric vehicles, saying it will perpetuate state air quality problems. (Salt Lake Tribune)

OIL & GAS:
• New Mexico lawmakers propose a bill that would increase tax incentives for oil and gas operators installing pollution-control devices on their facilities. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• Montana and fuel industry groups sue Portland, Oregon, over a ban on new fossil fuel storage facilities in the city, arguing the policy is discriminatory and will cause fuel shortages. (Reuters)
• A California lawmaker introduces a bill that would halt offshore oil and gas drilling on existing state land leases. (news release)

SOLAR:
• Colorado regulators consider requiring Xcel Energy to refund homeowners’ solar grid connection fees after the utility comes under attack for severe backlogs. (Colorado Sun)
• The U.S. Energy Department awards University of Arizona researchers $1.2 million to study crop production and livestock grazing in existing commercial solar installations. (news release)
• Arizona utility Salt River Project donates parking lot solar canopies to Phoenix-area nonprofits. (news release)

WIND: Idaho’s top elected officials express concerns with and opposition to a 400-turbine wind power facility proposed for the southern part of the state. (Idaho Mountain Express)

CLIMATE: New Mexico lawmakers consider a bill that would let voters decide whether to include the right to a clean environment and stable climate in the state’s constitution. (KRQE)

COAL:
• Wyoming lawmakers pass legislation allowing the governor to spend up to $1.2 million to sue states or agencies over regulations that could harm the state’s coal industry. (Casper Star-Tribune)
• Peabody Energy officials say railroad-related bottlenecks reduced its Powder River Basin mines’ coal production by 1.1 million tons last quarter, but they still made $68.2 million in profit. (Cowboy State Daily)

COMMENTARY:
• A California policy advisor says Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to slash public transit funding would imperil state climate goals. (CalMatters)
• Colorado petroleum engineering professors say accurately measuring methane emissions is critical to regulating and reducing pollution from oil and gas facilities. (Colorado Sun)