Denverites snap up 3 years of e-bike rebates in 6 months

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Denver pauses its popular e-bike rebate program after a $9 million pool that was expected to last three years is depleted in just six months, as a statewide program is expected to launch next year. (Colorado Sun)

ALSO:
• The Colorado Energy Office announces $3 million in grants for charging stations in residential or public areas. (Steamboat Pilot & Today)
• Hawaiian Electric announces a plan to make it easier for businesses to take advantage of its electric vehicle charging program. (KHON)
• A California startup hopes to offer affordable electric vehicle leases to drivers with long commutes. (Canary Media)
• California officials say sales of hydrogen fuel cell cars have plummeted, with only 153 sold in the third quarter of this year. (Inside EVs)

NATURAL GAS:
• Colorado regulators consider eliminating a subsidy for new natural gas connections paid by utility ratepayers; California ended a similar policy earlier this year. (Colorado Public Radio)
• Officials in a Colorado ski town approve a temporary natural gas storage facility as Xcel Energy warns its system may not be able to keep up with demand from new housing during extreme cold. (Summit Daily)

CLIMATE:
• Portland’s city council is expected to vote this week on a major overhaul of the city’s climate equity fund to improve transparency and accountability. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
• With a third candidate pulling votes from Democrats, Oregon could see a Republican governor for the first time in decades, and the candidate has pledged to ​“tear up” the state’s climate executive order ​“on day one.” (Inside Climate News)
• A $100,000 grant will help Hopi youth learn how to adapt traditional farming practices to climate change. (Navajo-Hopi Observer)

COAL:
• Utah officials say an underground coal mine fire could disrupt power generation at two of the state’s power plants. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• While demand has increased for Wyoming coal, a mining official says ​“the railroads didn’t keep pace,” and a looming strike could shut down shipments altogether. (Wyoming Public Radio)
• A federal agency recognizes Wyoming officials for successfully stabilizing an underground mine beneath an elementary school. (Casper Star Tribune)

UTILITIES: California regulatory staff say PG&E should pay a $155 million fine for its role in the Zogg fire in 2020. (Mercury News)

NUCLEAR: Backers of small modular reactors pitch them as a rescue for coal towns, but a Colorado utility executive warns that while converting coal plants to nuclear is technically feasible, ​“significant challenges” remain. (S&P Global)

SOLAR: Construction on a 150 MW Wyoming solar farm is expected to begin in March. (Cowboy State Daily)

COMMENTARY:
• A Montana geologist explains why high energy prices are not the result of a lack of American production. (Montana Standard)
• An official from the California Trucking Association says a state plan for zero-emission trucking ignores concerns raised by the industry. (CalMatters)