Resistance to gas bans grows — but some still succeed

Thank you for reading U.S. Energy News this past year. We’re taking a break for the holidays, and will see you again on Jan. 2. 

OIL & GAS: Bans on new natural gas hookups are moving ahead in states including Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York, despite recent political and legal setbacks for the policies. (E&E News)

ALSO:

• An analysis finds California is subsidizing some of the nation’s most emissions-intensive oil and gas facilities by offering carbon credits to operators for clean energy production. (Bloomberg)
• President-elect Trump threatens the EU with tariffs if the bloc doesn’t start buying more American oil and gas. (The Guardian)

RENEWABLES:

• For the first time in U.S. history, wind and solar generated more electricity than coal during the first 11 months of 2024, according to data from a clean energy think tank. (Canary Media)
• U.S. lawmakers from California and Utah introduce legislation that would allow wind and solar development on existing federal oil and gas, coal or geothermal leases. (news release)

GEOTHERMAL: Equity-focused community groups in Chicago and Boston are among five recipients receiving a share of $35 million in recently announced federal funding for geothermal projects. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• General Motors and ChargePoint partner to deploy 500 ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers across the U.S. by the end of 2025. (Automotive Dive)
• Electric vehicle maker Canoo announces furloughs for 82 employees in Oklahoma, which could force the company to repay $1 million in state job creation incentives. (Oklahoman, Frontier)
• Rivian reaches a confidential deal with the UAW that would make it easier to unionize the EV maker’s workforce if the company reaches profitability. (Bloomberg, subscription)

WIND:

• A Congress member introduces a bill that would reform the offshore wind permitting process to promote stakeholder involvement. (Utility Dive)
• The Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation appeal Washington state’s approval of the proposed Horse Heaven Hills wind and solar facility, saying it failed to mitigate potential damage to cultural and natural resources. (High Country News)
• California teams up with shipping ports to build and upgrade infrastructure designed to support proposed offshore wind development. (Sea News)

NUCLEAR: Ohio environmental advocates fear that a bill defining nuclear energy as ​“green” could be used to water down policies and divert funding from renewable energy projects in the future. (Energy News Network)

COMMENTARY: The increasing economic competitiveness of renewables with fossil fuels has a cleantech entrepreneur feeling optimistic about clean energy development over the next four years. (Canary Media)