Oregon governor signs executive order on climate change

CLIMATE: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed an executive order ​“taking the boldest actions available to lower greenhouse gas emissions under current state laws” after the state’s legislature adjourned abruptly in the wake of a Republican walkout. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

ALSO: The chairman of Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission says distributed energy resources and non-wires alternatives have a role to play in the state’s efforts to reach its climate goals. (Utility Dive)

***YOUR AD HERE: Every day, Energy News Network email digests reach thousands of highly engaged professionals. Click here for more information on how to get your promotion to our audience.***

CALIFORNIA: FEMA has agreed to reduce its $3.9 billion claim against PG&E over the agency’s disaster response to $1 billion and allow victims of California wildfires to be paid in full first. (Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS:
• A Colorado bill aiming to establish health-based air standards, particularly for low-income areas, passed its first committee. (Colorado Politics)
• Colorado is prepared to issue another air emissions permit to Suncor despite the company’s history of emitting more pollutants than allowed. (Colorado Independent)

MICROGRIDS: California’s largest ports are turning to microgrids for energy security and demand flexibility. (Greentech Media)

COAL: The legal team representing customers of Montana’s utilities says NorthWestern’s proposed purchase of 25% of Colstrip’s Unit 4 from Puget Sound Energy should be paused until NorthWestern provides more information. (Billings Gazette)

ELECTRIFICATION: Salt Lake City wants developers to build without natural gas and use all-electric technology for heating and cooling. (Salt Lake City Tribune)

NUCLEAR: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission finds that a proposed interim storage facility for nuclear waste in southeastern New Mexico would cause limited environmental damage. (E&E News, subscription)

OIL & GAS:
• New Mexico lawmakers brace for a loss of state revenue from declining oil prices, as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoes $50 million in transportation spending. (Carlsbad Current-Argus, Associated Press)
• Kern County, California oil producers are worried about the industry’s 25,000 local jobs as oil prices plummet internationally. (Bakersfield Now)

PUBLIC LANDS: A BLM oil and gas lease sale in northeast Utah drew few bidders a day after oil prices collapsed. (Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION:
• California utilities are concerned that a transport electrification plan proposed by state regulators could freeze investment and jeopardize the state’s electric vehicle goals. (Utility Dive)
• Missoula County, Montana commissioners unanimously voted to put a gasoline tax on the June primary ballot. (ABC Fox Montana)

EFFICIENCY: San Jose, California unveils six partners committed to reducing their collective greenhouse gas emissions by 10% as part of the city’s Better Buildings program. (Utility Dive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Hawaii Electric added a fast charger station for electric vehicles at a shopping center in Kapolei. (Pacific Business News, subscription)

COMMENTARY:
• Former Alaska lieutenant governor Mead Treadwell says the Environmental Impact Statement process for major projects requiring federal approval needs to be updated and reformed. (Anchorage Daily News)
• An Idaho utility executive and coldwater fisheries conservationist say Pacific Northwest governors must find energy solutions that are good for people and fish. (Post Register)