Coal plant owners sue over new Montana law

COAL: The owners of the Colstrip Power Plant sue over a new Montana law nullifying parts of their contract, saying it violates both the state and U.S. constitutions. (Billings Gazette)

ALSO: A new report finds wind and solar are cheaper options in areas where dozens of coal plants are currently operating, including in the West. (Energy News Network)

SOLAR:
• Arizona utility Salt River Project doubles its goal for solar power, setting a target of 2,025 MW by 2025. (Arizona Republic)
• A northern Colorado utility unveils plans for a 150 MW solar array to replace its share of power from a coal unit scheduled to retire in 2025. (Coloradoan)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• A Colorado transportation bill introduced yesterday would modestly increase gasoline taxes and increase fees for electric vehicle registrations, to ​“finally fix our damn roads,” in the words of Gov. Jared Polis. (Colorado Sun)
• The Colorado bill also includes more than $700 million to support electrification, including charging stations and mass transit. (CBS Denver)
• An auto industry trade group sends a letter to governors of Oregon, Washington and other states — but not California — warning they are ​“unlikely to reach” targets for zero-emission vehicle sales. (E&E News, subscription)

UTILITIES:
• A federal court hears arguments over whether PG&E violated its probation when a transmission line sparked a 2019 wildfire. (Associated Press)
• As utilities match them on price, community choice aggregators are highlighting their impacts on climate action to attract and retain customers. (Utility Dive)

WIND: While residents of nearby subdivisions oppose a proposed eastern Washington wind farm over aesthetic concerns, the project would provide financial benefits to area farmers. (Seattle Times)

OIL & GAS:
• New Mexico sets a monthly record for oil and gas royalties, taking in $110 million in April. (Albuquerque Journal)
• California officials offer details on how the state plans to phase out fracking. (New York Times)

HYDROPOWER: An Oregon Democrat joins Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson in supporting a plan to breach four lower Snake River dams, winning praise from the Nez Perce Tribe. (Lewiston Tribune, news release)

COMMENTARY:
• Academics say New Mexico will not be able to decommission its thousands of oil and gas wells without federal support. (Albuquerque Journal)
• An editorial board says the warehouse and distribution industry needs to do more to protect neighbors from the harms of diesel and other pollution. (Los Angeles Times)