New Colorado rule requires greenhouse gas reporting

EMISSIONS: A new Colorado regulation requires some operations to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the state. (Colorado Public Radio)

COAL:
• A lawsuit aiming to revive an Obama-era moratorium against BLM coal sales on Western public lands is thrown out by a federal judge. (Associated Press)
• Montana lawmakers accuse the state’s utilities regulator of abandoning consumer concerns in handling NorthWestern Energy’s application to purchase more of Colstrip Unit 4. (Billings Gazette)

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TRANSPORTATION: Automakers working with California regulators on reducing emissions are refraining from joining a new challenge to the Trump administration’s plans to cut fuel economy standards. (The Hill)

CALIFORNIA: PG&E announces almost 90% of its wildfire victims voted in favor of the utility’s bankruptcy plan. (San Francisco Chronicle)

OIL & GAS:
• The BLM says its temporary breaks on royalties are only granted ​“when it is in the best interest of conservation to do so or when it would encourage the greatest ultimate recovery of our natural resources.” (Casper Star-Tribune)
• New data shows that the Permian Basin is no longer the fracking king of the U.S. thanks to the oil market crash. (San Antonio Express-News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Nevada is expected to continue growing despite the coronavirus crisis, thanks to state incentives. (KUNR)

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GRID: California’s grid operator announces four Colorado utilities are joining the Western Energy Imbalance Market. (news release)

COMMENTARY:
• The general counsel for Navajo Power says the Navajo Nation needs support in encouraging renewable energy investment on its lands as coal declines. (Arizona Central)
• A Colorado editorial board says the coronavirus crisis teaches important lessons on the need to find innovative ways to reduce climate change. (Boulder Daily Camera)
• A former utility executive explains why it’s important for California’s elected officials to enact laws to provide reliable electricity and minimize climate damage. (Sacramento Bee)
• San Luis Obispo, California’s mayor says the threat of protest with ​“no social distancing” by a union leader over the city’s climate change policy should be investigated by state officials. (CalMatters)
• Two trustees of the Wyoming chapter of the Nature Conservancy say the state’s overlooked emissions-free energy opportunity is with new nuclear energy technologies and the state’s uranium resource to power them. (Casper Star-Tribune) [EDITOR’S NOTE: The Nature Conservancy has clarified that this commentary does not reflect the views of their organization]