Oregon regulators propose deep emissions cuts, credit trading

EMISSIONS: Oregon regulators propose rules that would cut fossil fuel emissions 80% by 2050, allow emission credit trading, and allow the fossil fuel industry to offset pollution by paying for emissions reductions in communities vulnerable to climate change. (OPB)

ALSO: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a law banning sales of gasoline-powered lawnmowers, leaf blowers and chainsaws and requiring small-motor equipment to be zero-emission as early as 2024. (Los Angeles Times)

UTILITIES:
• Pacific Gas & Electric says it may shut off power to as many as 44,000 Northern California customers Monday to reduce fire risk during forecasted dry, gusty winds. (CBS SF)
• PG&E officials say its equipment has ignited 85% fewer fires in the last two months compared to 2015 to 2020 averages due to new safety settings. (San Francisco Chronicle)

GRID: Xcel Energy and major automakers launch a pilot project in Colorado that uses day-ahead energy demand forecasts to remotely manage electric vehicle charging schedules and avoid overloading the grid. (Big Pivots)

OIL & GAS:
• Southern California beaches reopen after cleanup crews remove a quarter-million pounds of oily sand and debris in the wake of a major offshore oil spill likely caused by a ship’s anchor damaging the pipeline months earlier. (Los Angeles Times, Associated Press)
• High oil prices and access to financing spur more drilling and rising oil production in the Permian Basin. (Bloomberg)

HYDROGEN: New Mexico environmental groups say efforts to establish the state as a blue hydrogen hub could lead to further emissions from natural gas extraction and distract from the transition away from fossil fuels. (NM Political Report)

COAL: Hawaii officials worry next year’s scheduled retirement of a major coal plant will hurt grid reliability, but utility officials say generating capacity is adequate even without planned renewable projects coming online. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, subscription)

NUCLEAR: U.S. Senate Democrats from Western states lead an effort to impose royalties on hardrock minerals mined from public land, such as uranium, in their reconciliation bill. (Casper Star-Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION: Berkeley, California’s school district adds eight electric buses to its fleet to reduce emissions and children’s pollutant exposure. (Berkeleyside)

COMMENTARY:
• Oregon’s governor, a Nez Perce tribal leader and a sportfishing advocate say the Northwest can save its salmon and have clean energy by removing hydropower dams and investing in wind and solar power. (Oregonian)
• A California air quality official and public policy analyst say the state must rein in dirty diesel backup generators and the ​“fossil fuel powered shadow grid” to meet its clean air targets. (CalMatters)