Hawaii, defying Trump, sues oil companies over climate change

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CLIMATE

• Hawaii files a lawsuit accusing Chevron, Shell, and other oil companies of exacerbating climate change a day after the Trump administration preemptively sued the state, saying its planned legal challenge threatened ​“energy independence.” (KITV, Associated Press)

TRANSPORTATION

• California high-speed rail officials worry the project could fail if the Trump administration withdraws federal funding. (Los Angeles Times)

• U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, urges the Trump administration to withdraw funding for a proposed passenger rail line along the populous Front Range, but state officials say the project has not received any federal money yet. (CPR)

• An Oregon nonprofit partners with DoorDash on an electric vehicle rebate program for Portland delivery drivers. (Oregonian)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Alaska analysts say the Trump administration’s push for low petroleum prices conflict with its energy dominance agenda and has already led to less drilling and investment in the state’s oil and gas fields. (Alaska Public Media)

• Colorado regulators continue to investigate a Chevron-operated oil and gas well blowout in April that contaminated waterways and private property. (CPR)

• A Wyoming petroleum refinery reopens months after an apparent explosion forced the facility to shut down for repairs. (WyoFile)

• Data show coal-fired generation made up 46% of Utah’s energy mix last year and that coal mine production in the state continues to fall proportionally. (Utah News Dispatch)

• Colorado regulators seek public input on a proposed 166-well oil and gas drilling project in the Denver-area. (Sentinel)

• Portland, Oregon’s ombudsman rejects officials’ request to investigate past city councillors’ handling of Zenith Energy’s fuel storage terminal land-use permit. (KOIN)

OVERSIGHT

• Colorado advocates say there is no evidence to support a conservative nonprofit’s report claiming environmental regulations have shaved $32 billion from the state’s economic output since 2019. (Colorado Sun)

STORAGE

• The Platte River Power Authority in northeast Colorado plans to build a grid-scale battery energy storage facility as part of its effort to provide 100% carbon-free power. (Coloradoan)

UTILITIES

• Colorado regulators say Xcel Energy is experiencing more frequent and longer outages and struggles to answer customer calls and send out bills on time. (Colorado Sun)

• Nevada advocates push back against legislation that would allow natural gas utilities more leeway when setting and extending rates, saying the proposed process lacks transparency. (Nevada Current)

NUCLEAR

• A Utah county’s leaders push back on a new state law creating ​“electrical energy development zones,” saying it could be used to siphon away revenues from a proposed small modular nuclear reactor in the county. (Salt Lake Tribune)

COMMENTARY

• Columnist Sammy Roth blasts Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s proposal to close the city’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Office, saying it would undermine efforts to keep residents safe during heat waves. (Los Angeles Times)