Federal regulators delay vote on controversial Northwest gas pipeline

OIL & GAS: Federal regulators delay a key vote on a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion in the Northwest after environmentalists and lawmakers called for the project to be rejected. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

ALSO:
• Colorado advocates look to leverage an expiring railroad tunnel lease to block a proposed Utah rail project that would send oil-laden trains across the state. (Colorado Newsline)
• Japan and South Korea opt out of a proposed natural gas export terminal and pipeline in Alaska, dimming prospects for the $44 billion project. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)

UTILITIES:
• Nevada clean energy advocates push back on NV Energy’s proposal to convert the state’s last coal plant to natural gas, saying the utility did not seek out cleaner and less-expensive options. (Nevada Current)
• Xcel Energy plans to invest $770 million to extend the life of aging natural gas plants and construct solar and battery storage facilities in New Mexico and Texas. (KFDA)
• A study finds San Diego utility customers could save up to 14% on their electricity bills within 10 years if the city were to create a municipal utility to replace SDG&E. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

GRID:
• California grid operators say increased hydropower capacity due to the wet winter, more battery storage and improved contingency plans prepare them to meet this summer’s heat-driven power demand. (Los Angeles Times)
• Arizona utility Salt River Project turns to natural gas generation to meet record-high electricity demand during the longest heat wave in Phoenix history. (NPR)
• California regulators approve guidelines for a statewide virtual power plant program that will allow distributed batteries to send power back to the grid during high demand. (Solar Power World)
• California’s grid operator declares a second consecutive emergency alert, citing energy supply uncertainty and transmission constraints during heat-driven high regional power demand. (RTO Insider, subscription)

SOLAR:
• A developer proposes a 400 MW solar power facility on private land near Boise, Idaho. (Boise Dev)
• Nevada labor unions establish utility-scale solar workforce training programs. (KUNR)

STORAGE:
• A California startup works to scale up thermal battery technology to power industrial facilities. (CNBC)
• An independent power producer secures financing for its proposed 588 MWh lithium-ion battery storage system in southern California. (Energy Storage News)

COAL: Arch Resources says its Powder River Basin operations’ profits helped offset ​“geological challenges” at its Western Colorado coal mines. (County17)

COMMENTARY: A Colorado energy journalist explores potential pathways the state could follow to decarbonize buildings. (Big Pivots)