New Mexico regulators propose oil and gas wastewater reuse rules

OIL & GAS: New Mexico regulators propose rules that would prohibit most reuse of treated oil and gas wastewater while leaving the door open to experimental pilot projects. (Associated Press)

ALSO: Texas researchers find large earthquakes linked to oil and gas development and underground wastewater injection may be spreading into new parts of the Permian Basin. (Midland Reporter-Telegram)

ELECTRIFICATION:

• California lawmakers advance legislation that would require labels on all new natural gas stoves warning customers of potential health hazards resulting from the appliances’ emissions. (Associated Press)
• Advocates criticize California’s restaurant industry for stalling climate progress by way of its utility-funded attack on natural gas hookup bans. (Bloomberg)

CLIMATE:

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes spending $3.6 billion less on climate programs than previously planned as part of an effort to close a massive budget deficit. (Los Angeles Times)
• A California city orders researchers to stop testing a device designed to fight global warming by spraying sea-salt particles into clouds to make them more reflective, citing possible health concerns. (New York Times)
• President Biden indicates he may appoint Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, an outspoken climate advocate, to his cabinet if he wins a second term. (E&E News, subscription)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• A group of Republican state attorneys general sue California over its phased-in ban on diesel-fueled heavy trucks, claiming it is unconstitutional and will devastate the trucking industry. (Associated Press)
• California environmental justice advocates urge the state to use federal funds to build a charging network for electric big rigs, saying it would benefit underserved communities suffering from poor air quality. (RTO Insider, subscription) 
• San Diego partners with a private firm to install electric vehicle chargers at every city building, library, beach and recreation center within five years. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian plans to lay off more than 120 employees at its California facilities after sales stagnate. (Los Angeles Times)

SOLAR:

• A California utility proposes installing a floating solar array on a reservoir to reduce evaporation and provide power to its water treatment plant. (NBC San Diego)
• Developers secure financing for the proposed 300 MW Box Canyon solar project in central Arizona. (news release)

BATTERIES: A rural southern California community group sues Los Angeles County in an effort to block a proposed grid-scale battery storage system over safety concerns. (ABC News)

NUCLEAR:

• President Biden signs legislation banning Russian uranium imports that is expected to bolster Western states’ uranium mining industry. (Washington Post)
• The U.S. House passes legislation sponsored by a Utah congressman that would create a federal grant program aimed at offsetting advanced nuclear reactor developers’ permitting costs. (Deseret News)

COMMENTARY: A New Mexico rancher lauds the Biden administration’s new methane emissions regulations for oil and gas drilling on federal land, saying they will benefit the environment and generate revenues. (Santa Fe New Mexican)