Higher royalty rates, reclamation bonds among federal oil and gas reforms

OIL & GAS: The Biden administration proposes increasing royalty rates, minimum leasing bids and reclamation bonds for oil and gas drilling on federal lands. (Associated Press)

ALSO: Alaska regulators fine ConocoPhillips nearly $1 million for violations related to a 2022 well blowout that caused more than 7 million cubic feet of methane to spill into the atmosphere. (Alaska Beacon)

COAL: U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican, introduces legislation that would shield the Colstrip coal power plant from tougher federal pollution laws. (Billings Gazette)

UTILITIES:
• The union representing Xcel Energy electrical workers in Wyoming and Colorado threatens to strike after months of failed contract negotiations. (CPR)
• A consultant’s study finds San Diego utility ratepayers would save more than $180 million over the next 30 years if the city were to take over the power grid. (Voice of San Diego)

ELECTRIFICATION: A Colorado advocacy groups’ report finds Xcel Energy can meet decarbonization goals through rapid electrification rather than relying on green hydrogen or biofuels. (news release)

GRID:
• California’s grid operator issues an emergency alert urging residents to reduce power use after extreme heat-driven demand exceeds forecasts. (CBS News)
• California’s grid operator plans to allow out-of-state transmission projects to join the ISO in an effort to tap clean energy sources around the region. (RTO Insider, subscription)

SOLAR:
• Energy analysts urge other states to follow Colorado’s lead in leveraging federal infrastructure tax credits and grants to lure solar and other clean energy projects. (Colorado Sun)
• A developer plans to hold public meetings on a proposed 499 MW solar-plus-storage facility on private land in Wyoming. (Douglas Budget)
• Environmental groups urge the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Interior Department to install solar panels over nearly 8,000 miles of federally owned canals. (news release)

WIND: Completion of a 590 MW wind project under construction in Wyoming is delayed by postponed turbine deliveries. (Cowboy State Daily)

TRANSPORTATION: Phoenix, Arizona, considers easing minimum parking requirements for affordable transit-oriented developments. (Planetizen)

HYDROPOWER:
• Ongoing drought lowers water levels at Montana’s Flathead Lake, diminishing hydropower output from the dam. (Scripps News)
• National laboratory researchers identify 1,800 sites in Alaska suitable for closed-loop pumped hydropower storage projects. (news release)

CLIMATE: A Hawaiian Electric-commissioned study finds all sectors of the economy must take aggressive action for the state to meet net-zero greenhouse gas emission mandates by 2045. (Honolulu Civil Beat)

CRITICAL MINERALS:
• The federal Bureau of Land Management formally pauses a proposed lithium exploratory drilling project near a Nevada wildlife refuge, citing potential impacts to groundwater. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• Stillwater Critical Minerals expands exploratory drilling at its nickel, cobalt and palladium mine in Montana. (news release)

COMMENTARY:
• California advocates urge lawmakers to increase reclamation bonds for oil and gas drilling and take other measures to ensure corporations — not the public — pays to clean up their mess. (CalMatters)
• A California energy journalist ponders whether it would be easier to tackle climate change if society was willing to live with occasional power outages. (Los Angeles Times)