Next major solar rate fight will be in Colorado

UTILITIES: Advocates say a Colorado utility’s proposed rate changes would discourage solar power and energy efficiency. (Denver Post)

SOLAR:
• Sen. Harry Reid calls a recent net metering decision ​“a black mark on Nevada’s reputation.” (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• Protesters demonstrate against an Arizona utility’s proposed demand charge; the proposal would also cut net metering rates. (Arizona Republic, Utility Dive)

RENEWABLES:
• The International Energy Agency says it’s too soon to remove incentives for renewable energy even as costs fall. (Greentech Media)
• A Vermont Republican says he’ll resist any effort to modify a renewable energy siting bill as lawmakers work to override the governor’s veto. (VT Digger)

WIND: A Duke Energy biologist works to reconcile bats and wind turbine operations. (The Wall Street Journal)

OIL BY RAIL:
• The Bakken crude oil on a train that derailed in Oregon last week met North Dakota’s oil conditioning standards that require the removal of the most volatile gases. (Forum News Service)
• Oregon’s U.S. Senators push for oil-by-rail safety reforms. (The Hill)

NATURAL GAS:
• The Energy Information Administration projects U.S. shale gas production will continue to grow through 2040. (UPI)
• A federal agency considers measures to strengthen regulatory oversight of liquefied natural gas storage facilities. (EnergyWire)
• Natural gas plants remain the cheapest generation facilities to build, according to U.S. EIA data. (Utility Dive)
• Operators of a 1500 MW Pennsylvania power plant are modifying it to run on natural gas as well as coal. (Platts)

OKLAHOMA: State regulators raise concerns about higher rates for earthquake insurance. (Reuters)

NUCLEAR:
• The TVA reactor that started generating power for the first time last Friday shuts down over turbine system issues with no scheduled restart. (Platts)
• Massachusetts lawmakers seek closure of a nuclear plant over concerns about degrading concrete. (Utility Dive/​SNL Energy)
• Exelon seeks to extend the operating license for a Pennsylvania plant by another 20 years. (Bloomberg)

POLLUTION: A study finds a carbon standard for power plants could net billions of dollars in health care savings each year. (Phys.org)

CLIMATE:
• A poll finds climate change is the most divisive major policy issue among voters. (The Hill)
• A major international climate summit will be held in Boston next year. (Boston Globe)

MARKETS: A report finds Texans shopping for power on the open market are getting better deals, but still paying more than customers in regulated areas. (Texas Tribune)

EFFICIENCY: The departure of Nest’s CEO raises questions about the future of the efficiency technology industry. (EnergyWire)

COMMENTARY: How ​“liquid sunlight” could replace fossil fuels sooner than we think. (Vox)