California’s clean car rules safe from congressional review, GAO says

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

TRANSPORTATION

• The federal Government Accountability Office says the Biden-era waiver for California’s clean car rules is not subject to the Congressional Review Act, blocking Republicans’ attempts to revoke it. (Reuters)

• A Nevada lawmaker introduces a bill that would assess the feasibility of developing regional rail systems in the northern and southern parts of the state. (Nevada Current)

• A Colorado startup begins selling a 100% solar-powered recreational vehicle with an electric motor to assist in towing. (BusinessDen)

GRID

• Oregon lawmakers consider legislation that would create a new energy use classification aimed at ensuring data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities pay their fair share for electricity use and grid strain. (OPB)

• The Trump administration allows the federal Bonneville Power Administration to rehire about 100 fired probationary employees after officials raised concerns about grid reliability and safety. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

• New Mexico regulators consider a utility’s proposal to replace aging natural gas generators in the southeastern part of the state with renewables. (New Mexico Political Report)

• Montana lawmakers advance legislation that would shield utilities that followed an approved wildfire hazard mitigation plan from civil liability for equipment-sparked blazes. (Daily Inter Lake)

FOSSIL FUELS

• South Korea officials cast doubt on President Trump’s claim the country plans to invest ​“trillions of dollars” in a proposed liquefied natural gas pipeline and export terminal in Alaska. (Los Angeles Times)

• A Wyoming lawmaker says a firm is set to propose a ​“next-generation” coal plant that would primarily produce carbon dioxide for use in enhanced oil recovery. (Cowboy State Daily)

SOLAR

• Montana lawmakers consider legislation that would create a subscription system allowing utility customers to purchase shares of solar arrays. (Montana Public Radio)

• A California school district says newly installed solar systems and microgrids will offset about 70% of the facilities’ electricity demand and can provide backup during outages. (KSBY)

CLIMATE

• Colorado lawmakers introduce legislation that would set worker safety standards for extreme heat and cold. (Colorado Newsline)

NUCLEAR

• Washington startup Helion proposes a 50 MW nuclear fusion power plant to power Microsoft data centers by 2028, even though no company has unlocked large-scale fusion energy generation yet. (Seattle Times)

LITHIUM

• Southern California officials say they are optimistic the Trump administration will release frozen federal funding for a proposed lithium extraction operation near the Salton Sea. (Desert Sun)

COMMENTARY

• A California columnist calls on state leaders, regulators, and advocates to stop squabbling and develop a plan that encourages rooftop solar without unduly burdening other electricity users. (Los Angeles Times)

• A Utah historian urges state leaders to drop their delusions of nuclear energy grandeur, saying they are ignoring the industry’s deadly legacy in the region. (Utah News Dispatch)