Enhanced geothermal gets a California boost

GEOTHERMAL: Southern California Edison signs on to purchase 320 MW of power from an enhanced geothermal energy facility under development in Utah, boosting the nascent technology. (KTXL)

OIL & GAS: 

• The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear the case of a contested proposed oil-hauling rail line in Utah following a judge’s cancellation of its federal approval last year. (CPR)
• New Mexico advocates call on regulators to raise oil and gas reclamation bonding rates, saying it will lessen taxpayer spending to clean up abandoned wells. (NM Political Report)

• A federal Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sale garners $34 million in bids on 14 Permian Basin parcels. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• California and Washington state refiners step up purchases of Canada crude oil after the Trans Mountain pipeline extension opens. (Bloomberg)

CLIMATE: A Colorado judge clears the way for a local governments’ lawsuit looking to hold oil and gas companies accountable for climate change-related damages. (CPR)

HYDROPOWER: Yakama Nation leaders criticize federal regulators for failing to consult with them on a proposed pumped hydropower storage project in Washington state after the tribe refused to reveal ceremonial and religious knowledge. (High Country News)

SOLAR:

• California nonprofits and government agencies launch an initiative to install rooftop solar on up to 140 homes in South Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Business Journal)
• A California solar group challenges a new state rule banning solar contractors from installing or maintaining battery storage systems, saying it will harm the clean energy industry and climate goals. (Courthouse News)
• Utah officials unveil an 80 MW solar facility near Salt Lake City years later than planned due to supply chain constraints. (KSL)
• A Navajo Nation-owned utility looks to build more utility-scale solar in addition to rooftop installations at off-grid homes. (ABC 15)

WIND: Wyoming regulators prepare to consider legal snags that have delayed development of a proposed 504 MW wind facility in the southern part of the state. (Cowboy State Daily)

STORAGE: An Arizona utility brings two battery energy storage systems online with a combined 340 MW capacity. (news release)

AVIATION: California regulators propose requiring jet fuel suppliers to offset their product’s greenhouse gas pollution by paying for emissions-reduction projects. (E&E News, subscription)

GRID:

• Analysts urge California’s grid operator to take a larger role in reliability planning as climate change complicates electricity network operations. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• Nevada regulators establish a framework for considering a utility’s bid to join the California grid operator’s regional day-ahead power market. (RTO Insider, subscription) 

NUCLEAR:

• California lawmakers agree to loan Pacific Gas & Electric an additional $400 million to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear plant operating after initially rejecting the request. (Fresno Bee)
• Washington state’s Democratic Party narrowly votes to reject resolutions opposing nuclear power. (Spokesman-Review)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A mapping tool finds electric vehicle charging deserts persist even in strong EV markets, including Los Angeles. (Axios)

COAL: Advocates push back against the proposed sale of Canada coal mines blamed for contaminating Montana waters, saying it could affect remediation efforts. (Montana Free Press)