In Washington, post-election tension over building codes

ELECTRIFICATION: Washington officials say they aren’t rushing to overhaul state building codes in response to a voter-approved ballot measure targeting electrification provisions, despite pressure from a building industry group to act immediately when results are certified on Dec. 5. (Washington State Standard)

ALSO: A survey finds financial concerns were the primary motivator for voters who supported the building code ballot measure, known as Initiative 2066. (Seattle Times)

OVERSIGHT:

• Environmental advocates say they don’t anticipate major changes at Arizona’s Corporation Commission after Republicans secure a 5-0 majority, noting the commission hasn’t been led by Democrats since 2010. (Arizona Capitol Times)
• Despite a record-hot year, climate change was not a decisive issue in Arizona’s Corporation Commission race, as advocates noted the topic rarely came up in any statewide races. (Arizona Daily Star)

COAL: Wyoming’s coal production is expected to fall below 200 million tons for the first time since 1992. (Cowboy State Daily)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• The Colorado Auto Dealers Association says now is the best time to buy an electric vehicle, as a state tax credit is set to be reduced and the incoming Trump administration pledges to slash federal credits. (Colorado Public Radio)
• A group of Southern California startups are among leading innovators in developing zero-emission trucks, with more than 400 vehicles already serving the region’s busy ports. (Mercury News)

CLIMATE: Chris Wright, the Colorado oil executive chosen by President-elect Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Energy, posted a video online last year that included misinformation about climate change and referred to clean energy as an ​“alarmist, deceptive marketing term.” (Colorado Newsline)

PUBLIC LANDS:

• Western lawmakers praise President-elect Trump’s selection of North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum to lead the Interior Department, while advocates warn he will sell out public lands to boost oil industry profits. (E&E News)
• While Bergum as governor set a goal for his state to reach net-zero emissions by 2030, the plan relies on unproven carbon-capture technology rather than phasing out fossil fuels. (The Hill)

OIL & GAS: 

• Advocates say California regulators’ proposal to close the Aliso Canyon gas storage site lacks a clear timeline, as utility SoCalGas says the facility is still a ​“necessary part of California’s energy infrastructure.” (Los Angeles Times)
• The incoming Trump administration’s deregulation agenda could overturn recent settlements and federal regulations protecting public land in Colorado. (Colorado Sun, Colorado Public Radio)
• Colorado regulators reject a drilling plan that would have placed a well pad within a half-mile of a growing suburban neighborhood. (Boulder Reporting Lab)

NUCLEAR: A state lawmaker hopes to make Utah ​“one of the nuclear headquarters of the world” by siting small modular reactors on military-owned land in the state. (Salt Lake Tribune)

UTILITIES: New Mexico regulators propose new rules requiring rural electric cooperatives to have at least 50% renewable energy by 2030, and a goal of 80% by 2050. (Albuquerque Journal)

HYDROGEN: Scientists say Alaska could be uniquely positioned to extract hydrogen from the earth as an energy source. (Alaska Beacon)