Federal rule looks to boost solar, wind development on public land

RENEWABLES: Federal regulators finalize a rule overhauling how renewable energy companies lease public land, giving incentives to wind and solar developers who build in areas that don’t disturb wildlife. (The Hill)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: A former EPA official says ​“it’s virtually certain that the Clean Power Plan will be revoked” after Donald Trump takes office. (Greentech Media)

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CLIMATE:
• California’s governor promises to continue the state’s work on climate change regardless of Donald Trump’s presidential win, calling it ​“the existential threat of our time.” (Los Angeles Times)
• The top U.S. architect of the Paris climate agreement says it ​“would anger countries all over the world” if Donald Trump scraps the deal, but there’s no guarantee that Trump will live up to his campaign promises. (ClimateWire)
• Scientists say the country’s emissions could stay flat until 2030 under a Donald Trump presidency. (Reuters)
• A lawsuit spearheaded by a group of young Americans alleging the federal government knowingly failed to curb dangerous greenhouse gas emissions will be allowed to proceed, following a ruling by a U.S. District Judge in Oregon. (Time)

SOLAR: A settlement between Colorado’s public utilities commission and Xcel Energy will bring more solar power and fewer grid fees to the state. (PV-Tech)

WIND: A 17,000-acre wind farm in eastern North Carolina could soon gain permit approval. (Triangle Business Journal)

EFFICIENCY: Federal agencies are tapping into new funding streams by linking a building’s energy consumption to the health of its occupants. (Midwest Energy News)

BIOFUEL: The EPA plans to reject a request by fuel refiners to shift responsibility for ethanol mandate compliance onto fuel wholesalers. (The Hill)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The city of Denver plans to replace its out-of-service cars with 200 plug-in electric vehicles starting in 2018. (Denver Post)

TRANSPORTATION: Automakers send a letter asking Donald Trump to roll back fuel efficiency standards when he takes office. (The Hill)

PIPELINES:
• The company behind the Dakota Access pipeline says it expects ​“imminent” approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin drilling under the Missouri River in North Dakota. (FuelFix)
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has again asked the developer of the Dakota Access pipeline to voluntarily stop construction in North Dakota, saying ​“their absence will help reduce these tensions.” (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS:
• The nation’s top oil and gas lobby says the incoming Trump administration should approve pipeline projects like Keystone XL and expand drilling rights. (The Hill)
• Advocates are urging President Obama to use his authority to put a permanent ban on new ocean oil and gas leases along the Eastern Seaboard before he leaves office. (Southeast Energy News)

FRACKING: Fracking is unlikely to be the cause of foul-smelling well water in Wyoming, according to a state report. (Associated Press)

COAL: Coal production and generation will rise slightly in 2017 as natural gas costs increase, according to a government report. (Utility Dive)

NUCLEAR: A coalition of Native Americans and community activists are using prayer and meditation in a battle to convince California utility regulators to reverse a plan to bury tons of nuclear waste near San Diego. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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UTILITIES: Donald Trump’s presidential win is likely an unwelcome development for the power sector. (Utility Dive)

COMMENTARY: Without a significant increase in gas prices, President-elect Donald Trump probably cannot save the U.S. coal mining industry. (Reuters)