Study: West Coast offshore wind could deliver 33,000 MW

WIND: National laboratory researchers find floating offshore wind facilities along the West Coast could add as much as 33 GW of generating capacity by 2050, but transmission constraints and the technology’s newness could hamper development. (Utility Dive)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• A study finds renewable energy sources met 100% of California’s electricity demand for up to 10 hours on 98 of 116 days last year. (Grist)
• An analysis finds six of the nation’s largest clean energy installations completed in 2024 were developed in the Southwest. (Canary Media)
• Environmentalists and climate advocates spar over utility-scale renewable energy development and lithium mining on federal lands in the West. (New York Times)

SOLAR: A developer nears completion of a 13 MW solar installation in California to provide power to a glass manufacturing facility. (Glass International)

OIL & GAS: 

• The petroleum industry says Trump’s executive orders lifting drilling restrictions in parts of Alaska are unlikely to spur oil and gas companies to expand development there, because they are focused on more accessible areas. (Reuters)
• Oregon residents and advocates urge Portland’s city council to oppose Zenith Energy’s proposed state air quality permit that would allow its fuel storage terminal to continue operating beyond 2027. (OPB)

POLITICS: Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon calls Trump’s energy-related executive orders a ​“win” for the state even though they lack specifics and could jeopardize funding for efficiency and grid resiliency projects. (WyoFile)

UTILITIES:

• Utah lawmakers introduce legislation that would eliminate utilities’ energy balance account fees, but PacifiCorp says that would hamper its ability to purchase coal. (Utah News Dispatch)
• An Arizona lawmaker introduces a bill that would prohibit utilities from hiring former state regulators for four years and another that would block power plant retirements without adequate replacement generation. (Arizona Capitol Times)
• Oregon regulators defend their rate hike approval process to state lawmakers. (KATU)

GRID: Videos show Southern California Edison distribution lines catching on fire in an area burned by a Los Angeles blaze days after the fire was extinguished. (Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION: California awards the Port of Los Angeles $31 million to test harbor craft emission-reduction technologies and develop zero-emission capable boats. (Biofuels Digest)

BATTERIES:

• The recent fire at the Moss Landing battery energy storage system in California fuels opposition to a solar-plus-storage project in northern New Mexico. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
• Idaho Power proposes a 200 MW battery energy storage system in Boise. (Boise Dev)

BIOFUELS: California advocates push back against proposed wood pellet plants and an export terminal, citing adverse community, climate and ecological impacts. (news release)

POLLUTION: The U.S. EPA launches an investigation into claims that a New Mexico city’s health department discriminated against residents when issuing air pollution regulations. (news release)