EPA finds ​‘widespread noncompliance’ with coal ash rules

COAL ASH: The U.S. EPA reports ​“widespread noncompliance” with its coal ash rule, in part because of a loophole that excluded older landfills, ponds and fill sites. (Inside Climate News)

HYDROGEN: Environmental advocates warn that weakening proposed rules on federal hydrogen tax credits could divert existing clean energy generation to hydrogen production and prolong fossil-fuel-fired generators. (Energy News Network)

CLIMATE:

• Scientists say last month was the world’s hottest January on record, and capped the warmest 12-month stretch on record. (CBS News)
• Several states are considering amending their constitutions to guarantee residents’ right to a safe climate amid a nationwide campaign by environmental advocates. (The Hill)

UTILITIES: Researchers find the nation’s utilities are decarbonizing faster than regulations require them to, and are transitioning to clean energy even in states without renewable portfolio standards. (Daily Camera)

EMISSIONS: Air quality monitoring data suggests Arizona, California, Pennsylvania and Texas will have the hardest time meeting the U.S. EPA’s new soot pollution limits, though 99% of counties will likely comply with the rules by 2032. (E&E News, Utility Dive)

SOLAR:

• A Nevada solar-plus-storage installation is set to supply all of the power for this year’s Super Bowl. (CBS News)
• A North Carolina court hears a challenge to Duke Energy’s reduced payments for rooftop solar arrays, which have resulted in a drastic reduction in business for some installers. (Energy News Network)

RENEWABLES:

• A federal study concludes Puerto Rico could transition entirely to renewable electricity by 2050, but the shift could hurt low-income residents. (Utility Dive)
• A Vermont legislative committee advances a bill to increase the state’s utility renewable energy standard to 100% by 2030. (VT Digger)

OFFSHORE WIND:

• BP says it wrote down the value of its American offshore wind business by $1.1 billion last year. (E&E News)
• Danish renewables company Ørsted will exit some offshore wind markets in Europe, but says it remains invested in U.S. development even after cancelling two projects last year. (CNBC)
• A Biden administration official who oversees infrastructure approvals says former President Trump’s election could be ​“catastrophic” for clean energy, especially the struggling offshore wind industry. (Politico)

COURTS: Tribal lawsuits against a handful of high-profile energy projects could affect the Biden administration’s clean energy push. (E&E News)

TRANSMISSION: The U.S. Energy Department solicits $1.2 billion in capacity contracts for shovel-ready transmission projects that may need extra funding to get off the ground. (Utility Dive)