Judge orders re-evaluation of federal lease sale in Wyoming

OIL & GAS: A judge finds the federal Bureau of Land Management failed to adequately consider the wildlife and public health effects of a 2022 oil and gas lease sale in Wyoming and orders the agency to redo the environmental analysis. (Common Dreams)

ALSO:

• Oil and gas watchdogs find Permian Basin petroleum operators flare or vent more methane when natural gas prices are low. (Inside Climate News)
• Colorado lawmakers consider legislation aimed at reducing ozone pollution from oil and gas facilities by limiting summer drilling and increasing penalties for repeat violators. (Colorado Newsline)
• Alaska expects to bring in $200 million more in tax revenue than previously forecast due to higher-than-expected oil prices. (Alaska Journal of Commerce)

SOLAR:

• The Navajo Nation plans to deploy solar-powered hydro panels to convert humidity into drinking water for up to 584 homes. (news release)
• The U.S. Energy Department awards a Nevada gold mine $95 million to install a solar-plus-battery storage system to power its operations. (Mugglehead)

HYDROPOWER: Montana property owners urge federal regulators to intervene in their dispute with a hydroelectric dam operator over lake levels. (Montana Free Press)

GEOTHERMAL: An Alaska city looks to move forward on a proposed geothermal energy project after severing ties with its development partner. (KUCB)

CLIMATE: A Wyoming city and a tribal nation submit climate action plans to the U.S. EPA, making them eligible for federal clean energy funds even though Gov. Mark Gordon refused to participate in the program on a statewide level. (WyoFile)

GRID:

• Colorado advocates push back on energy-intensive data centers’ proliferation, saying they strain the grid, use too much water and imperil climate goals. (Colorado Sun)
• Hawaiian Electric asks customers to reduce electricity use through the end of April while several large power plants are offline for repairs or maintenance. (Bloomberg)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Oregon reopens its electric vehicle rebate program but expects to close it by June due to limited funding. (KOIN)

MINING: Indigenous advocates push back on a proposed lithium mine in western Arizona, saying it could deplete springs and harm sacred sites. (Arizona Republic)

POLLUTION: Republican Arizona lawmakers and the state’s Chamber of Commerce sue the U.S. EPA over federal rules aimed at reducing smokestack and diesel emissions, saying they would financially harm the state. (AZ Mirror)

COMMENTARY: Colorado clean energy advocates oppose using taxpayer funds to support new nuclear plants because of their high cost, long construction time and lack of flexibility. (Pueblo Chieftain)