Federal regulators set stage for California hydropower dam removal

HYDROPOWER: Federal regulators issue a draft environmental impact statement saying there are significant benefits to demolishing four hydropower dams on northern California’s Klamath River. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS:
• The operator of an offshore southern California crude oil pipeline that ruptured in October sues two shipping companies for allegedly damaging the line with their anchors. (Los Angeles Times)
• A Portland, Oregon, oil terminal operator appeals regulators’ denial of a permit the company needs to continue operating. (OPB)
• Advocates criticize a California water board for hiring a Chevron-connected firm to study the potential health effects of irrigating crops with oilfield wastewater. (Inside Climate News)
• ExxonMobil decides to embark on a $400 million carbon capture and storage facility expansion at its LaBarge, Wyoming, natural gas facility. (news release)

SOLAR: A Colorado electric cooperative abandons a planned rate increase for part-time residents who used less electricity because it also would have raised costs for rooftop solar users. (Colorado Sun)

ELECTRIFICATION:
• Some Colorado residents who lost homes in December’s Marshall Fire say the city’s net-zero building codes requiring electrification and efficiency measures in new construction make rebuilding cost-prohibitive. (Denver Channel)
• Washington state regulators consider requiring electric space and water heat pumps in new commercial buildings. (Washington News Service)

GRID: Neighbors of a proposed Xcel Energy transmission project say a 10-mile setback from the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site will push the line onto their property. (Kiowa County Press)

CLIMATE: The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes an Oregon brewery for its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% within ten years. (KTVZ)

COAL: Arizona regulators seek public input on Cholla coal power plant’s proposed air quality permit renewal. (news release)

UTILITIES:
• California regulators consider ways to curb utility bill increases, including using state funds to pay for grid upgrades. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• An environmental group says Public Service Company of New Mexico is timing its coal power plant abandonment this year to overcharge customers, but utility officials say it is a misunderstanding. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
• Pacific Gas & Electric seeks a $10.5 billion rate increase to bury 3,600 miles of power lines to reduce fire hazard. (East Bay Times)

BIOFUELS: Environmentalists say a California program allowing polluters to purchase carbon credits from dairies that convert manure to methane fuel delays the transition to electric vehicles. (Desert Sun, subscription)

TRANSPORTATION:
• Colorado lawmakers reject a bill that aimed to reduce traffic by incentivizing employers to provide alternate transportation options to workers. (Denver Channel
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom commemorates the state’s 1 millionth electric vehicle purchase. (Bay Area News Group)