California utilities find storage can makes solar nearly 100% reliable

SOLAR: A recent study by California’s three investor-owned utilities finds that solar backed by storage can achieve nearly 100% reliability, posing a challenge to gas-fired peaker plants. (Bloomberg)

ALSO: A new California regulation classifying solar panels as universal waste could create a regulatory model for recycling that other states can follow. (Waste Dive)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Veterans Advanced Energy Week, August 10-13, a virtual learning experience dedicated to military veterans and spouses in advanced energy and national security. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org. ***

BIOMASS: A California-based developer and operator of biomass gasification plants responds to a lawsuit filed against the company alleging patent infringement. (Sierra News Online)

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Renewable energy supporters want New Mexico regulators to approve a plan that would replace coal-fired San Juan Generating Station electric power with 100% renewables. (Farmington Daily Times)

HYDROPOWER: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers find that tidal power could support grid reliability if utilized as an energy resource for remote communities. (Tech Xplore)

OIL & GAS:
• A new study by UCLA and University of Southern California finds that pregnant women living near natural gas flaring sites may have an elevated risk of giving birth prematurely. (E&E News, subscription)
• An analyst says New Mexico’s oil and gas industry could take at least three more years to recover from the coronavirus crisis and market volatility. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• California’s largest oil and gas production company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (Palm Springs Desert Sun)
• Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon says the state’s weakened energy sector is a major contributor to its loss of revenues, noting that Wyoming had 33 oil and gas rigs operating in 2019 but now only has one. (Oil City News)
• The Department of Energy says the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas export terminal in Oregon has ​“profound economic, energy security, and environmental implications, both at home and abroad.” (news release)

POLITICS:
• Two Colorado ballot measures backed by the oil and gas industry are on track to receive enough signatures to qualify. (Colorado Politics)
• Alaskans are set to vote on another ballot initiative this fall about the state’s tax structure on oil production. (KDLL)

COAL: A new report finds planned coal plant closures in Colorado will save billions of gallons of water. (Colorado Sun)

WIND: Hope still remains for the first offshore wind turbines in the Pacific despite a California congressman clashing with a recent Trump appointee to the Navy. (E&E News Daily, subscription)

***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Network’s 40 Under 40 today.***

HYDROGEN: Silicon Valley fuel cell company Bloom Energy announces it is entering the commercial hydrogen market. (Greentech Media)

EFFICIENCY: An Oregon school district partners with an energy efficiency and renewable energy company on a $3.6 million energy efficiency project. (news release)