Feds poised to reject L.A. smog-reduction plan

POLLUTION: The U.S. EPA considers rejecting California’s smog-reduction plan for the Los Angeles area, saying the state cannot force the federal government to control pollution. (Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE: A bomb cyclone storm pummels California, causing flash flooding, mudslides and leaving hundreds of thousands of utility customers without power. (Los Angeles Times)

OIL & GAS: 

• An advocacy group finds Permian Basin oil and gas operators received more than $1.4 billion in federal and state subsidies last year even as they pulled in record profits. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• New Mexico lawmakers advance bipartisan legislation that would unlock more state funding for cleaning up abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)

FOSSIL FUELS: A study finds many Western states are disproportionately reliant on fossil fuel revenues to fund schools, roads and other public services. (Mountain West News Bureau)

COAL: A Wyoming company looking to commercialize non-combustive uses for Powder River Basin coal defaults on a $15 million state loan. (WyoFile)

SOLAR: Washington state lawmakers table legislation aimed at increasing underserved residents’ access to community solar following strong opposition from utilities. (PV Magazine)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm touts federal investments into Nevada clean energy projects during a recent visit to the state. (Nevada Independent)
• A Navajo Nation engineer from New Mexico works with tribal nations to develop clean energy. (Albuquerque Journal)

GEOTHERMAL: New Mexico lawmakers advance legislation that would establish incentives for proposed geothermal power projects. (NM Political Report)

BIOFUELS: Hawaiian Electric selects a developer for its proposed 40 MW biofuel-powered generator. (Spectrum News Hawaii)

ELECTRIFICATION:

• California environmentalists and consumer advocates butt heads over how to fund building electrification programs after regulators reject a utility’s proposed heat-pump installation plan. (Canary Media)
• A Colorado pizza restaurant successfully switches from natural gas to electric ovens, debunking the myth that the crusts need an open flame. (Colorado Sun)

UTILITIES:

• Hawaiian Electric’s board chairman recuses himself from some decisions after the insurance company he helms sues the utility over its role in last year’s deadly Maui wildfires. (Honolulu Civil Beat)
• New Mexico utilities say they need more analysis before deciding which of two competing regional day-ahead power markets to join. (RTO Insider, subscription)

HYDROPOWER: U.S. lawmakers from Western states introduce a bill that would require federal dam operators to reduce electricity rates when drought diminishes hydropower output. (St. George News)

PUBLIC LANDS: More than two dozen law professors petition a federal appeals court to toss Utah’s lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden’s 2021 restoration of two national monuments in that state. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

COMMENTARY: Georgia and Colorado regulators discuss the challenges to vehicle electrification presented by the current lack of charging infrastructure and future load growth. (Utility Dive)