Idaho tribal nation develops solar to replace hydroelectric dams

SOLAR: The Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho looks to develop 5,311 MW of solar generating capacity to replace generation lost if and when the federal government decommissions four Northwest hydropower dams. (High Country News)

ALSO:

• U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, introduces legislation aimed at streamlining solar, wind and geothermal permitting on federal lands. (E&E News, subscription)
• A developer proposes an 86 MW solar-plus-storage installation on Hawaii’s Big Island. (Big Island Now)
• A developer brings a 150 MW solar installation online in southeastern Wyoming. (Wyoming Tribune Eagle)

OIL & GAS: 

• Democratic U.S. lawmakers from Western states call on federal regulators to cancel oil and gas leases for companies suspected of colluding to drive up commodity prices. (DeSmog)
• The federal Bureau of Land Management cancels an oil and gas plan amendment for northwestern New Mexico, citing declining industry interest and increased outdoor recreation in the area. (news release)
• Federal officials propose assessing and restoring damage to wildlife caused by a mysterious 1999 offshore oil spill in the Pacific Northwest. (E&E News, subscription)

TRANSITION: A northwestern New Mexico school district calls on the state’s largest utility to develop 130 MW of solar capacity within its boundaries to offset the 2022 San Juan coal plant closure’s socioeconomic impacts. (NM Political Report)

CARBON CAPTURE: Utah researchers launch an underground carbon dioxide sequestration site mapping and assessment project. (Utah News Dispatch)

UTILITIES:

• Nevada residents criticize NV Energy for temporarily halting its air-conditioner rebate program during sustained, record-breaking high temperatures. (Nevada Current)
• Northern California residents slam Pacific Gas & Electric for implementing planned power outages during a heat wave. (KCRA)
• A southern Oregon town raises concerns about Pacific Power’s frequent fire hazard-mitigation power outages during a heat wave. (OPB)

GRID: California’s grid operator issues a heat bulletin warning that sustained high temperatures are straining the grid and raising the risk of natural gas plant failures. (E&E News, subscription)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Southern California electric vehicle owners say it is increasingly difficult to find reliable charging stations without long wait times. (East Bay Times)

TRANSPORTATION: Oregon advocates accuse Portland officials of sidelining a downtown transportation plan aimed at improving biking, walking and public transit. (OPB)

HYDROPOWER: An Oregon university begins construction of the nation’s first utility-scale wave power testing site along the state’s central coast. (KOIN)

ELECTRIFICATION: A northern California county approves building codes aimed at encouraging all-electric residential construction. (Press-Democrat)

URANIUM:

• Navajo Nation leaders and advocates continue to work to block uranium shipments across tribal land from an Arizona mine to a Utah mill. (KJZZ)
• A Canada firm joins several others acquiring uranium mining claims in Wyoming and looking to cash in on rising commodity prices. (Cowboy State Daily)

LITHIUM: A battery metals firm begins operations at its direct lithium extraction facility near the Great Salt Lake in Utah. (Resource World)