Court rejects EPA Colorado oil and gas rule approval

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

FOSSIL FUELS

• A federal appeals court orders the U.S. EPA to reconsider its approval of a Colorado rule exempting oil and gas drilling from some air pollution rules, saying the agency arbitrarily and capriciously failed to account for emissions. (Denver Post, news release)

• Wyoming’s Energy Authority launches a comprehensive study of the state’s coal reserves, potential demand and regulatory and capital restraints facing the industry. (Cowboy State Daily)

• Colorado regulators seek public input on Xcel Energy’s plan to help northwestern Colorado communities weather scheduled coal plant closures. (Craig Press)

• Federal agents arrest a Utah couple and charge them with conspiring with drug cartels to smuggle oil into the U.S. from Mexico. (KSL)

TRANSPORTATION

• Automakers call on Congress to block California’s ban on gasoline-powered vehicle sales slated to take effect in 2035, saying it will increase automobile prices and reduce customer choice. (Reuters)

• California opens applications for a second round of electric bicycle rebates that will be awarded via random drawing. (East Bay Times)

EFFICIENCY

• Nevada officials say the Trump administration’s mass firings have thrown about $1.4 million in federal low-income utility bill assistance funds into limbo. (Nevada Current)

GRID

• Bonneville Power Administration brings a new substation online in north-central Oregon aimed at addressing rising electricity demand and integrating clean energy resources. (T&D World)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Alaska utility Chugach Electric plans to launch its community solar program this summer with a 1,500-panel array currently under construction. (Alaska News Source)

• California lawmakers advance legislation that would rescind some administrative requirements for rooftop solar on small businesses. (PV Magazine)

• Washington state awards a municipal water department $2.8 million to install solar parking canopies, battery storage and electric vehicle chargers. (KHQ)

• Sunrun brings rooftop solar arrays online at three affordable apartment complexes in southern California. (news release)

• A southern California college brings a 1 MW parking canopy solar array online. (news release)

NUCLEAR

• The University of Arizona looks to become the leading academic institution in nuclear fusion research and development. (Arizona Daily Star)

CLIMATE

• California, Washington, and other states double down on fighting climate change in an effort to offset Trump administration attacks on state programs. (Grist)

COMMENTARY

• Utah professors call on state policymakers to refrain from embracing a so-called nuclear energy renaissance without carefully researching its costs and benefits. (Deseret News)

• An Arizona columnist calls on regulators and utilities to develop better policies and rules around electricity shutoffs for non-payment following a woman’s heat-related death in her home. (Arizona Republic)