Feds threaten to sue PacifiCorp over Oregon, California blazes

UTILITIES: The federal government considers suing PacifiCorp in an effort to recover nearly $1 billion in costs related to 2020 wildfires in southern Oregon and northern California. (Associated Press)

ALSO: Southern California Edison agrees to pay $80 million to settle federal claims related to the 2017 Thomas fire investigators say was sparked by utility equipment. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS: 

• The developer of a proposed LNG pipeline and export terminal in Alaska looks to garner interest in the project by first delivering fuel in-state to offset a looming natural gas shortage. (Alaska Beacon)
• Utah advocates urge the Biden administration to finalize a proposed rule aimed at reducing methane leaks from natural gas pipelines, saying it would improve the state’s air quality. (UPR)
• An oil and gas drilling rig collapses in southern California, injuring two workers. (Long Beach Post)

BIOFUELS: California indefinitely delays extending a program allowing fossil fuel companies to generate carbon credits by producing biofuels following environmental opposition. (Capital & Main)

STORAGE: Nevada’s energy office supports a proposed pumped hydropower storage project in the eastern part of the state even though several parties oppose it. (Western Water Notes)

ELECTRIFICATION: A Colorado startup looks to replicate a Denver-area all-electric neighborhood comprised of 28 net-zero homes. (Canary Media)

SOLAR:

• Analysts say an Inflation Reduction Act provision allowing federal tax credits to be paid directly to nonprofits makes tribal nations’ clean energy projects more feasible. (PV Magazine)
• Nevada rock climber Alex Honnold works to raise funds for small-scale solar projects in underserved communities. (Canary Media)

WIND: U.S. lawmakers from California urge the Biden administration to extend a proposed marine sanctuary off the state’s central coast even though it could hamper offshore wind development. (Tribune)

CLIMATE:

• Colorado advocates say the state’s updated climate action roadmap is conceptually strong but ​“falls short of delivering on the state’s climate goals.” (Colorado Newsline)
• Democratic California lawmakers consider overhauling or repealing some legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions after utility rates increase. (Politico)
• Republican Montana lawmakers and business organizations support the state as it appeals last year’s court decision that fossil fuel-friendly policies violated residents’ right to a clean environment. (Daily Montanan)

HYDROGEN: A Colorado college partners with a federal agency to research and develop hydrogen occurring naturally in geologic formation. (news release)

MINING: Arizona advocates and residents urge regulators to deny a permit to a proposed copper mining complex, saying it would not adequately protect water supplies. (Arizona Daily Star)