Trump greenlights ​“Keystone Light”

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GRID

• California lawmakers introduce bills that would require the state’s largest utilities to measure and improve distribution grid use and efficiency in an effort to address rising electricity rates. (Canary Media)

• California’s grid operator expects today’s launch of its extended day-ahead regional power market to be ​“very solid.” (Utility Dive)

• San Diego Gas & Electric begins environmental reviews and permitting for its proposed 500-kilovolt Golden Pacific Powerlink transmission project in southern California. (KPBS)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Developers bring online the Project Nexus solar-over-canal pilot project that will be used to study the technology’s ability to reduce water evaporation while producing clean power. (KMPH, news release)

• Arizona utility Salt River Project partners with NextEra Energy to develop 3 GW of solar generation by the end of 2034. (news release)

• Colorado Springs Utilities seeks proposals to develop 300 MW of utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects. (Public Power)

FOSSIL FUELS

• President Trump grants a key approval to the proposed Bridger Pipeline Expansion — dubbed ​“Keystone Light” — that would carry up to 550,000 barrels of oil daily from Canada through Montana and Wyoming. (Associated Press)

• A Navajo Nation Council committee votes to conditionally greenlight Tallgrass Energy’s proposed 234-mile natural gas and gas-hydrogen blend pipeline across tribal land, but the project still must go through the state and federal permitting process. (Capital & Main)

• Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association back-burners its proposed 307-MW natural gas plant in Colorado after the developer faces ​“pricing and feasibility issues.” (Big Pivots)

• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) backs compromise legislation that would allow the Ray Nixon coal plant to operate until 2032. (CPR)

• Environmental advocates petition the U.S. EPA to designate the Permian Basin in New Mexico as an ozone nonattainment area and crack down on toxic oil and gas facility emissions. (news release)

HYDROGEN

• California regulators deny SoCalGas’ bid to charge ratepayers to fund its proposed Angeles Link hydrogen pipeline project. (GasWorld)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Tesla begins mass-manufacturing its class 8 electric semi at its high-volume production line in Reno, Nevada. (Hoodline)

CLIMATE

• Data show Washington state greenhouse gas emissions decreased by a half percentage point from 2021 to 2022, sparking debate over state climate policies’ effectiveness. (Washington State Standard)

OVERSIGHT

• Wyoming lawmakers introduce legislation that would require proposed energy project developers to post an impact fee bond upon permitting to help affected communities boost infrastructure and services before construction begins. (WyoFile)

DATA CENTERS

• A Nevada nonprofit finds data centers consume about 22% of the state’s electricity generation capacity, and warn the facilities’ rapid buildup may strain the grid and increase utility rates. (Reno Gazette-Journal)

UTILITIES

• Pacific Gas & Electric calls on California lawmakers to pass legislation aimed at mitigating wildfire hazard to help ensure the utility’s shareholders their investments are safe. (Utility Dive)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Used EVs are on the upswing in America — Dan McCarthy

• US Steel to build $2B lower-carbon iron plant in Arkansas — Maria Gallucci

• New winter rates saved at least $37M for Massachusetts heat-pump owners — Sarah Shemkus

• America’s big new aluminum smelter is still waiting on a power deal — Maria Gallucci