Developers say Biden’s Western solar plan is too restrictive

SOLAR: Industry pushes back on the Biden administration’s proposed Western federal lands solar plan, saying exclusion zones, setbacks and wildlife protection criteria could block many planned projects. (Bloomberg Law)

ALSO: Developers bring an 80 MW solar facility online in western Utah to provide power to ski resorts and cities. (Park Record)

TRANSMISSION: Nevada advocates criticize the federal Bureau of Land Management for proposing that the Greenlink West transmission line run through a national monument while avoiding a mining site. (Nevada Independent)

UTILITIES:

• California lawmakers pass a bill that would require a legislative review of a controversial new utility billing structure that includes a fixed monthly fee and reduced usage rate. (Los Angeles Times)
• Montana’s Supreme Court begins hearing arguments in an advocates’ lawsuit accusing state regulators of improperly permitting a proposed 175 MW natural gas power plant. (Daily Montanan)

ELECTRIFICATION: Washington state’s building industry begins signature-gathering for a ballot initiative aimed at overturning a new law designed to encourage electrification and phase out natural gas. (Washington State Standard)

BATTERIES:

• Southern California officials order residents to evacuate or shelter in place after a fire breaks out at a battery energy storage system. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Some Seattle-area residents push back on a proposed grid-scale battery energy storage system, saying such facilities should be restricted to industrial zones. (FOX 13)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: GM holds an event in California to showcase electric vehicles’ ability to provide backup power for homes. (The Verge)

POLLUTION:

• California regulators accuse a Tesla electric vehicle manufacturing plant of illegally releasing smog-forming pollution and toxic chemicals into the air, and seek a third-party investigation. (Los Angeles Times)
• Montana advocates say utilities and lawmakers risk perpetuating the Colstrip coal plant’s adverse health impacts by fighting to overturn new U.S. EPA rules targeting power facilities’ mercury and toxic air emissions. (Billings Gazette)

OIL & GAS: 

• Colorado regulators seek public input on a proposal to drill up to 166 oil and gas wells near a Denver-area reservoir. (KDVR)
• Conservation groups call on Congress to cut funding for the federal Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas and coal leasing programs. (news release)

MINING: Western states’ mining officials welcome — and environmental advocates are wary of — a ban on Russian uranium imports spurring the revival of idled mines. (Colorado Sun)

TRANSPORTATION: A southern Nevada transit agency plans to expand its bus network, encourage transit-oriented development, and build out bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a clean energy advocacy group criticizes its inefficient transportation system. (Las Vegas Sun)

COMMENTARY: California advocates urge lawmakers to put a bond measure on November’s ballot that would allocate $15 billion toward climate resiliency projects and programs. (East Bay Times)