Montana moves to defend Trump from advocate climate lawsuit

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CLIMATE

• Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen files a motion to push back on an advocates’ lawsuit alleging the Trump administration’s executive orders to ​“unleash” fossil fuel development are unconstitutional. (Daily Montanan)

GEOTHERMAL

• The federal Bureau of Land Management plans to auction 13 geothermal leases on 23,000 acres across California in August. (news release)

TRANSPORTATION

• Nonprofit thrift store operator Goodwill of Colorado launches an electric vehicle charger technician training program. (Colorado Sun)

• The Colorado Department of Transportation seeks public input on its plan to improve walking, biking, and other micromobility infrastructure. (Denver 7)

• Ava Community Energy launches an electric bicycle rebate program for California Bay Area residents. (Stocktonia)

CLEAN ENERGY

• A Nevada sober living facility receives $960,000 from a federal Biden-era program to install rooftop solar at its new multi-unit housing facility. (Nevada Current)

• California Energy Commission data show the state’s grid has run on ​“100% clean energy” — which includes renewables, nuclear, biomass, battery storage, and hydropower — for at least some portion of nine out of 10 days so far this year. (news release)

• The Guidiville Rancheria tribe turns to philanthropic financing to construct a solar-powered microgrid after the Trump administration clawed back a $3.5 million federal grant for the project. (Tribal Business News)

• Western Colorado advocates say local and state incentive programs will help ​“soften the blow” as the Trump administration rescinds federal clean energy tax credits and rebates. (Steamboat Pilot & Today)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Federal analysts say fuel price volatility in California is likely to increase as the state loses 17% of its petroleum refinery capacity over the next year due to planned closures. (news release)

CLIMATE

• California advocates find the state lost up to $3 billion in potential revenue over the past year by delaying updates aimed at making its carbon market cap-and-trade program more aggressive. (E&E News)

• Colorado advocates host the state’s first Youth Climate Summit aimed at educating young people and building relationships and community around environmental issues. (Colorado Sun)

UTILITIES

• Rocky Mountain Power plans to appeal regulators’ rejection of its proposed rate hike to the Utah Supreme Court after the utility’s credit rating is downgraded. (Deseret News)

• NorthWestern Energy flummoxes Montana regulators by proposing to replace a May rate hike with a more modest one outlined in a settlement deal with the Montana Consumer Counsel. (Montana Free Press)

• Pasadena, California’s municipal utility moves to develop a two year rate-plan aimed at supporting its shift to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. (Pasadena Now)