Startup develops ​“superhot” geothermal in Oregon

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GEOTHERMAL

• Quaise Energy seeks $100 million in financing and another $100 million in grants and debt to develop a 50 MW ​“superhot” geothermal plant in central Oregon using the firm’s novel rock-melting technology. (Canary Media)

• Occidental Petroleum drills a four-mile-deep well in northeastern Colorado as part of an experimental enhanced geothermal energy project, but has not disclosed the results. (CPR)

CLEAN ENERGY

• California regulators order utilities to to speed up procurement of 6 GW of new clean energy capacity before federal tax credits expire in 2030. (E&E News)

• A California startup looks to expand manufactured and mobile home owners’ access to rooftop solar. (news release)

• Vestas completes turbine construction at the 3,500 MW SunZia wind facility in eastern New Mexico. (renews.biz)

• A poll finds a majority of Montana voters support more hydropower, natural gas, and solar power, with only 36% calling for more coal generation. (Montana Free Press)

OVERSIGHT

• Conservation groups file a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from rolling back restrictions on energy development and mining in prime sage-grouse habitat. (Nevada Current)

COAL

• Advocates file a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Trump administration’s approval of the proposed Bull Mountain coal mine expansion in Montana, saying the public was shut out of the permitting process. (Inside Climate News, news release)

URANIUM

• The Navajo Nation seeks public input on proposed regulations for hauling uranium across tribal land. (Arizona Republic)

OIL & GAS

• Petroleum firm Targa challenges New Mexico regulators’ proposed $47.8 million fine for alleged air quality violations and excess emissions at its Red Hills natural gas processing plant in the Permian Basin. (Capital & Main)

• California’s petroleum industry pushes back on proposed carbon cap-and-trade program revisions, claiming they would lead to higher gasoline prices. (E&E News)

• A federal Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sale in Wyoming brings in about $14.5 million for 52 parcels covering 69,134 acres. (news release)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Washington state lawmakers advance legislation that would allow EV makers Rivian and Lucid to join Tesla in selling directly to consumers. (Washington State Standard)

DATA CENTERS

• Washington state lawmakers table legislation that would have required data centers to pay additional utility charges, comply with renewable energy requirements, and shut off during peak grid demand, following tech firms’ opposition. (Washington State Standard)

UTILITIES

• Federal regulators approve NorthWestern Energy’s proposal to sell power from the Colstrip coal plant on the wholesale market. (Daily Montanan)

NUCLEAR

• Energy Northwest installs an educational small modular reactor simulator at Washington State University Tri Cities to help train the region’s nuclear workforce. (Public Power)

BIOFUELS

• The U.S. Energy Department awards University of Nevada, Reno, researchers $9 million to study using cactus pear as a biofuel feedstock, saying it uses far less water than corn and soybeans. (KUNR)

NEW FROM CANARY

• China could be on the cusp of a green aluminum boom — Alexander C. Kaufman

• How states are trying to keep AI data centers off your power bill — Jeff St. John

• Virginia to utilities: Do more with the existing power grid — Elizabeth Ouzts

• California’s heat-pump push faces a big hurdle: high electric bills — Ben Christopher & Alejandro Lazo