Oregon utility turns to AI for faster data center connections

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Western Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

DATA CENTERS

• Oregon utility Portland General Electric says it has successfully accelerated a data center’s interconnection using Gridcare AI software designed to reduce the facility’s power use during high demand to ease grid strain. (Canary Media)

• Amazon files a complaint with Oregon regulators accusing PacifiCorp of failing to meet obligations to provide the tech giant’s data centers with sufficient power. (Data Center Dynamics)

CLEAN ENERGY

• A Washington State University report finds integrating solar arrays and agricultural practices on 87,000 acres of farmland could generate up to 17.4 GW, helping meet state clean-energy mandates while benefitting crops. (KOMO)

• The Port of Oakland says 86% of its 2024 electricity came from renewable sources and large-scale hydropower and plans to increase that number with a new long-term energy storage agreement. (Container News)

• Nonprofit Energy Outreach Colorado signs on with Xcel Energy to manage subscriptions for two new community solar projects in Douglas County. (news release)

• Enlight Renewable Energy secures $150 million in tax equity financing for its 128 MW Quail Ranch solar-plus-storage project under development near Albuquerque, New Mexico. (news release)

URANIUM

• The U.S. EPA begins cleaning up 13,000 cubic yards of waste at abandoned uranium mines in the Lukachukai Mountains on the Navajo Nation. (news release)

OIL & GAS

• The Trump administration begins reviewing its proposal to rescind a Biden-era ban on oil and gas leasing around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico by initiating meetings with tribal nations. (Associated Press)

• Advocates condemn the federal Bureau of Land Management for issuing over 600 oil and gas drilling permits in western states during the government shutdown. (news release)

UTILITIES

• Oregon rural electric cooperative leaders say their connection to small communities and landscape gives them a leg up on larger utilities when it comes to preventing equipment-sparked wildfires. (OPB)

• New Mexico’s attorney general withdraws from a state regulatory hearing on a private equity firm’s proposal to acquire the New Mexico Gas Company. (Santa Fe New Mexican)

• Arizona utility Salt River Project’s board votes to convert a unit of its Springerville coal plant to run on natural gas, saying it’s the lowest-cost way to preserve the facility’s 400 MW generating capacity. (news release)

GRID

• Advocates call on Oregon regulators to revoke Idaho Power’s authority to use eminent domain to clear a path for its B2H transmission project, saying most of the electricity will go to a data center. (Boise State Public Radio)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• San Diego begins constructing a citywide EV charging network at beaches, libraries, recreation centers, and other public places. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Oregon plans to suspend its EV rebate program next month after depleting its annual funding. (OPB)

CLIMATE

• Washington Attorney General Nick Brown leads a multi-state coalition opposing the U.S. EPA’s proposal to rescind its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, saying it would jeopardize public health and the environment. (KREM)

NEW FROM CANARY 

• Boston’s century-old steam heat system is getting a low-carbon makeover — Jeff St. John

• Ohio scrapped a key tool to fight air pollution. Advocates want it back. — Kathiann M. Kowalski

• Puerto Rico’s energy future: distributed solar or centralized grid? — Kari Lydersen