Rhyolite Ridge lithium project in Nevada loses biggest investor

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Western Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

LITHIUM

• A firm cancels its $490 million investment into the proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada, saying the project did not meet its pricing assumptions. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

FOSSIL FUELS

• A developer looks to revive the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas export terminal and pipeline project in southern Oregon that it canceled in 2021 after failing to secure state permits. (Oregonian)

• Alaska lawmakers introduce a bill that would increase state income taxes on oil companies. (Anchorage Daily News)

• The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks input on a proposal to relocate a natural gas pipeline and bury it under the Snake River in Idaho. (KIFI)

CLEAN ENERGY

• A developer asks California’s energy commission to fast-track its proposed 1,150 MW solar-plus-storage installation near Fresno. (Sentinel)

• California researchers find homeowners in the northern part of the state can save about $150,000 over 20 years by installing rooftop solar and battery storage. (Solar Power World)

• An Arizona church brings a rooftop solar installation online that is expected to save it about $14,000 annually in electricity costs. (Solar Power World)

• A developer secures $258 million in financing for its 200 MW battery energy storage under construction near San Diego. (news release)

GRID

• Wyoming’s energy authority calls for independent regional governance for the planned Western day-ahead power market. (E+E Leader)

• A Washington state utility considers undergrounding some distribution lines after high winds leave thousands of customers without power. (KIRO)

TRANSPORTATION

• The Trump administration and congressional Republicans consider using the Congressional Review Act to revoke a federal waiver allowing California to set its own fuel efficiency standards. (Los Angeles Times)

• Alaska considers canceling a plan to install electric vehicle chargers after the Trump administration freezes federal funding. (Alaska’s News Source)

UTILITIES

• New Mexico lawmakers advance legislation that would allow investor-owned utilities to develop separate rate structures for low-income customers. (New Mexico Political Report)

• Arizona lawmakers advance a bill that would require utilities to create wildfire hazard mitigation plans and partially limit their liability for equipment-sparked blazes. (Arizona Capitol Times)

• California consumer advocates criticize San Diego Gas & Electric for raising rates even as it raked in nearly $900 million in profits last year. (NBC San Diego)

• NV Energy proposes a 9% rate hike in southern Nevada and to eliminate service charges for low-income customers. (Nevada Current)

NUCLEAR

• Utah, Wyoming and Idaho consider creating a partnership aimed at encouraging advanced nuclear reactor deployment. (Deseret News)

BIOFUELS

• A Hawaii commission preliminarily approves a proposed biofuel power plant in Hilo, sparking concerns about disproportionate impacts to Native Hawaiians. (Honolulu Civil Beat)