Coal could see a small resurgence next year

COAL: The Energy Information Administration projects a slight rebound in the share of electricity produced by coal in 2021 due to high natural gas prices, but not enough to reverse coal’s long-term decline. (Wall Street Journal)

ALSO:
• The EPA grants Wyoming the authority to regulate carbon dioxide injection wells intended for long-term storage. (E&E News, subscription)
• Coal miners living with black lung disease face greater challenges and complications amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Allegheny Front)

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CALIFORNIA:
• California’s power crisis worsens as PG&E de-energizes power lines in 22 Northern California counties due to dangerous weather and the threat of wildfire. (Bloomberg Green, KXTV)
• Los Angeles County records its highest temperature on record at 121 degrees, breaking a record of 119 set in 2006. (CNN)

OIL & GAS:
• A group of investment managers call on Texas regulators to ban the routine flaring of natural gas from the state’s shale fields. (Bloomberg)
• The Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota push for more tax revenue from oil wells that begin outside of reservation land but extend horizontally across the border. (Bismarck Tribune)
• Colorado oil industry advocates say ​“we would be in court the next day” if an incoming Biden administration tried to reverse President Trump’s efforts to expand oil production on federal land. (Denver Post)

PIPELINES:
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a revised opinion says Mountain Valley Pipeline construction would not likely jeopardize five endangered or threatened species of fish, bats and plants. (Roanoke Times)
• Massachusetts legislators agree with lifting the state of emergency declared two years ago after a fatal gas explosion but caution the affected areas still need help in recovering. (Eagle-Tribune)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Connecticut considers an overhaul of its electric vehicle rebate program to target low-and moderate-income buyers. (Energy News Network)

SOLAR: The number of large solar projects is surging in the U.S., with Texas playing a big role in the industry’s growth this year. (PV Magazine)

ELECTRIFICATION: Illinois is a prime candidate for using building electrification to help the state meet emission-reduction goals, according to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute. (S&P Global)

GRID: Opinions differ over whether California should join other Western states in forming an ​“enhanced” regional power grid. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

UTILITIES:
• A former high-ranking and longtime ComEd official is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery as part of a scheme to pass favorable legislation for the utility. (WBEZ)
• The Alabama Supreme Court rules state regulators were within their rights to remove a person for recording a hearing in November on a utility’s controversial solar fees. (Montgomery Advertiser)

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POLITICS: A new survey of Western conservatives finds that energy issues would help 80% of respondents determine how they vote on a candidate. (Colorado Politics)

COMMENTARY:
• A political scientist suggests framing the climate fight around the rights of future generations. (The Hill)
• An editorial board in Pennsylvania says a federal rollback of methane emissions standards is short-sighted and endangers public health. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)