Trump blocks controversial Idaho wind project

WIND: President Trump issues an executive order halting work on the recently approved Lava Ridge wind project in southern Idaho, saying it ​“is allegedly contrary to the public interest and suffers legal deficiencies.” (Idaho Statesman)

SOLAR:

• The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on the 400 MW Snake River solar project, the 500 MW Taurus wind facility and a shared battery storage installation proposed for Idaho. (PV Magazine)
• A Colorado town greenlights a community solar project on private land. (Wet Mountain Tribune)

CLEAN ENERGY: A California lawmaker introduces legislation that would extend state renewable energy tax incentives in an effort to preempt Trump administration cuts. (E&E News, subscription)

LITHIUM: The Biden administration finalized a nearly $1 billion loan for the contested proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada. (Nevada Current)

COAL: PacifiCorp cancels scheduled coal plant retirements in Utah, citing state and federal regulatory changes. (Utah News Dispatch)

UTILITIES:

• Xcel Energy proposes an initiative aimed at reducing natural gas use and emissions in Colorado mountain communities through electrification, efficiency upgrades and modular backup generators. (Summit Daily News)
• A judge orders Southern California Edison to preserve data, equipment and evidence relating to the Altadena Fire after several lawsuits accuse the utility of sparking the blaze. (Los Angeles Times)

GRID: Urban Alaska utilities warn customers to prepare for rolling blackouts as a natural gas shortage intensifies. (Northern Journal)

OIL & GAS: Portland, Oregon’s city council begins considering issuing a permit to Zenith Energy’s contested oil storage facility and terminal. (KOIN)

BUILDINGS:

• Montana State University plans to spend up to $50.5 million to upgrade its buildings’ energy efficiency. (news release)
• A California city proposes replacing its suspended natural gas hookup ban with an energy efficiency mandate for new buildings. (San Jose Spotlight)

CLIMATE: New Mexico advocates rally at the state capitol and call on lawmakers to take immediate action to mitigate the climate crisis. (Source NM)

NUCLEAR:

• Bipartisan Colorado lawmakers introduce legislation that would classify nuclear power as clean energy, saying it would help communities weather coal plant retirements. (Summit Daily)
• The Biden administration awarded Idaho and Wyoming entities $1.7 million to establish and train an advanced nuclear reactor workforce. (news release)

BIOFUELS: Northern California advocates look to shut down a biomass power plant fueled by wood waste, saying it emits climate-warming carbon and other pollutants. (JPR)

EMISSIONS:

• The Biden administration awarded Colorado State University $326 million for projects aimed at helping small petroleum firms and tribes monitor, measure and reduce oil and gas facilities’ methane emissions. (Coloradoan)
• The Biden administration awarded four entities $13.7 million aimed at advancing large-scale conversion of carbon emissions into other products, including two projects in California. (Biofuels Digest)
• The U.S. EPA finds dozens of leaks at an Oregon landfill are emitting dangerous levels of methane. (OPB)