California looks to extend cap-and-trade in defiance of Trump

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Western Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

CLIMATE

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers look to extend the state’s cap-and-trade emissions reduction program in defiance of the Trump administration’s attacks on states’ climate and energy policies. (The Hill)

• The Trump administration revokes a $59 million grant from the University of Idaho aimed at helping farmers develop climate-smart practices and crops. (Idaho Capital Sun)

• Observers say labor unions led the effort to kill California legislation that would have allowed climate change-related disaster victims to sue fossil fuel companies for damages. (CalMatters)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Valero plans to idle, restructure, or permanently shutter its 145,000 barrel-per-day petroleum refinery in northern California by the end of April 2026, but doesn’t give a reason why. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Utah advocates continue to fight a city’s decision to invest in a natural gas power plant, saying fossil fuel-reliance is financially and environmentally unsound. (Cache Valley Daily)

• New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs legislation into law raising royalties for oil and gas drilling on state land. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)

CLEAN ENERGY

• A southwest Colorado town’s residents step up opposition to a proposed 140 MW solar on unirrigated private farm land. (Cortez Journal)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Oregon lawmakers consider revamping the state’s electric vehicle rebate program to prioritize low-income residents. (OPB)

• Tesla’s share of electric vehicle sales in California has dropped below 50% for the first time following car recalls and political backlash against Elon Musk. (Bloomberg)

UTILITIES

• Oregon lawmakers consider legislation that would penalize utilities for delaying settlements or prolonging litigation related to equipment-sparked wildfires. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

• New Mexico’s three investor-owned utilities tell regulators they are prepared to meet power demand this summer after bringing additional solar and storage capacity online. (New Mexico Political Report)

PUBLIC LANDS

• The Trump administration moves to rescind the Biden-era Public Lands Rule aimed at putting conservation on a par with energy development and other federal land uses. (Public Domain)

COMMENTARY

• A Diné advocate says Trump administration efforts to revitalize the dying coal industry ​“sacrifices communities for the fossil industry.” (Navajo Times)