Trump funding freeze imperils Hopi Tribe’s energy projects

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CLEAN ENERGY

• Hopi Tribe officials say the Trump administration’s funding freeze imperils solar-powered microgrid construction that will bring power to off-grid homes and other clean energy projects under development on its land in Arizona. (E&E News)
• The Trump administration releases a $1.44 billion Biden-era loan to Calumet to finance its Montana biofuel refinery expansion and enable it to produce alternative jet fuel. (Canary Media)
• A southern California county approves two proposed utility-scale solar-plus-storage facilities totaling 150 MW of capacity. (Calexico Chronicle)
• Pacific Gas & Electric files to surrender its license for two hydropower dams on the Eel River in California, setting the stage for decommissioning the facilities. (Western Water Notes)

FOSSIL FUELS

• A Colorado judge rejects a troubled oil and gas company’s bid to avoid a $1.9 million fine and suspension of operations in the state, saying the penalties are proportionate to the firm’s multiple violations. (Colorado Sun)
• New Mexico lawmakers consider legislation that would establish a produced oil and gas wastewater fee to help fund abandoned well cleanup. (New Mexico Political Report)
• New Mexico lawmakers delay voting on a bill that would ban the use of PFAS in oil and gas drilling and require firms to disclose hydraulic fracturing fluid ingredients to allow its sponsors to strengthen the legislation. (New Mexico Political Report)
• A Jeff Bezos-backed nonprofit awards Arizona researchers grants to help coal communities weather mine and power plant retirements. (KJZZ)

TRANSPORTATION

• California backs off plans to require trucking companies to replace diesel fleets with zero-emissions big rigs and will instead look to incentives to encourage the transition. (New York Times)
• A Colorado school district converts half of its bus fleet to run on compressed methane fuel produced from cow manure. (Vail Daily)
• California startup Aptera unveils its solar and battery-powered electric vehicle, saying it has a 400-mile range. (Denver 7)
• Republican California lawmakers urge the Trump administration to investigate the state’s beleaguered high-speed rail project and hold officials accountable for alleged mismanagement. (NBC Los Angeles)

GRID

• Federal layoffs hit hundreds of workers at the Bonneville Power Administration, though a small group were asked back just a few days later. (Latitude Media, Politico)
• New Mexico and Colorado residents and ranchers push back on a proposed federal transmission corridor aimed at expediting energy development in the eastern part of the states. (Albuquerque Journal, Colorado Sun)
• New Mexico regulators and utilities explore ways to speed up grid interconnections in an effort to foster economic development. (New Mexico Political Report)
• A New Mexico lawmaker introduces legislation that would establish tax credits for residents purchasing backup power generators. (New Mexico Political Report)