Energy Dept.: U.S. could get 39% of electricity from rooftop solar

SOLAR: Updated Energy Department figures show the U.S. could get 39 percent of its electricity from rooftop solar alone; in California the figure could hit 78 percent. (PV Tech, Palm Springs Desert Sun)

ALSO:
• A Nevada judge rejects an industry-backed solar referendum, saying as written the proposal must go through the legislature first. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• A unit of SunEdison reports there is ​“substantial risk” its parent company will declare bankruptcy. (Reuters)
• States are dialing back solar incentives amid pressure from local utilities. (Wall Street Journal/​Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)
• A proposed Colorado solar project will benefit low-income ratepayers. (Fort Collins Coloradoan)
• Minnesota electric cooperatives are imposing some of the highest fixed charges in the country on customers who generate their own solar power. (Midwest Energy News)
• Idaho’s governor signs a law replacing property taxes on solar projects with a 3.5 percent production tax. (Idaho Statesman)
• A new report says utility cooperation can cut community solar costs by 40 percent. (Utility Dive)
• Iberdrola plans a 50-6o MW solar project in eastern Oregon. (Portland Business Journal)
• Work is expected to begin next month on a 27 MW solar project on the Navajo Nation. (Farmington Daily Times)

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OIL AND GAS:
• USGS mapping finds 7 million people in the U.S. are at risk from man-made earthquakes related to oil and gas activity. (Vox)
• The top executive at the California utility responsible for the Porter Ranch gas leak is getting a $3 million bonus. (Los Angeles Times)

OVERSIGHT: An analysis of records highlights the close relationship Texas regulators have with the industries they oversee. (Austin American-Statesman)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Montana clean-energy backers target a U.S. senator’s energy conference, which is largely tilted toward fossil fuels. (Billings Gazette)
• Although a recent report shows a net gain in clean energy jobs in Ohio, most of them were for out-of-state projects and two bills from 2014 contributed to job losses in the wind sector. (Midwest Energy News)

WIND: Wyoming’s wind tax collections fell 15 percent last year, for reasons that aren’t yet clear. (Casper Star-Tribune)

CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• White House attorneys defend the Clean Power Plan as an ​“eminently reasonable” exercise of EPA authority. (The Hill)
• The city of Missoula, Montana adopts a resolution supporting the Clean Power Plan, in contrast to state legal action. (KECI)

COAL: Pennsylvania coal companies balk at a proposal to have the industry cover a larger share of regulatory costs. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

BIOENERGY: Maine lawmakers consider a proposal to subsidize biomass plants, a key market for the state’s timber industry. (Portland Press Herald)

UTILITIES:
• A utility industry group is working with a communications consultant on ​“reputation management.” (Huffington Post)
• Louisiana regulators approve the sale of Cleco Corp. after the investors group seeking a takeover offered incentives including an average of $500 in free electricity for customers. (SNL Energy, New Orleans Times-Picayune)

TRANSMISSION: The Obama administration’s involvement in building out renewable energy infrastructure with a new transmission project has only heightened political tension. (EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION:
• A Pennsylvania agency launches the first project in an effort to transition the state’s transit systems to natural gas. (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)
• Minnesota lawmakers consider new rebates for purchasing electric vehicles that would be funded by pulling money from solar energy subsidies. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

COMMENTARY: Why a Utah couple purchased oil and gas rights for hundreds of acres they have no intention of drilling. (New York Times)