Can electric vehicles provide backup for California’s grid?

GRID: A California bill envisions electric vehicle batteries as a massive source of backup power for the state’s grid, but experts say numerous technical hurdles stand in the way. (E&E News)

TRANSPORTATION:
• California regulators approve a first-in-the-nation rule aimed at cutting railway pollution by banning aging locomotives and requiring freight railroads to adopt zero-emissions technology. (Associated Press)
• A California university study finds coal trains and terminal operations add more pollution to urban areas than other freight or passenger trains and disproportionately affect low-income and vulnerable communities. (news release)
• California transit agencies seek a $5.15 billion state-funded bailout to replace expiring federal pandemic aid that has kept them afloat amid declining ridership. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• California awards a Bay Area transit agency $13.8 million to expand charging capacity for its planned electric ferry service. (Alameda Post)

OIL & GAS: Federal regulators fine the operators of a California oil refinery $27.5 million for violating a 2016 agreement to reduce the facility’s nitrogen oxide emissions. (Associated Press)

UTILITIES: A Montana railway sues NorthWestern Energy over damages caused by a 2021 wildfire allegedly sparked by the utility’s equipment. (Missoulian)

SOLAR:
• California solar industry officials say the state’s recent net-metering regulatory change slashing compensation for residential solar has left them in ​“completely uncharted territory.” (Inside Climate News)
• Federal regulators vote to allow a Colorado solar-plus-storage project delayed by supply chain constraints to postpone its operational start date by 21 months. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• The U.S. Commerce Department awards the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe $4 million to develop a 2.3 MW solar installation in western Arizona. (Daily News)
• The federal Bureau of Land Management launches its environmental review of the proposed 300 MW Bonanza solar installation in Nevada. (news release)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• A California university launches a $700 million effort to power its campus with 100% clean energy. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Alaska environmental advocates hold a rally to commend a utility for its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and develop solar and wind power. (KUAC)

CLIMATE: Republican Montana lawmakers advance legislation that would bar state agencies from factoring greenhouse gas emissions and their climate impacts into permitting decisions. (Missoulian)

TRANSITION: Xcel Energy and a Colorado city form a committee to explore clean-energy strategies for replacing the Comanche coal plant slated for retirement in 2031. (Pueblo Chieftain)

BIOFUELS: A petroleum company plans to invest $90 million to develop a renewable diesel and aviation fuel production facility at its Hawaii oil refinery. (PacificInno)