Washington climate law safe from Trump, governor says

CLIMATE: Outgoing Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the state’s landmark climate law and cap-and-invest program are safe from expected Trump administration challenges and show the value of state-based climate action. (E&E News)

ALSO: A northeastern California city plans to install a solar array, a cogeneration microturbine and smart meters and upgrade efficiency at municipal buildings as part of its effort to reduce carbon emissions. (Energy Tech)

GRID:

• A grid monitor reports a surging number of electrical faults in utility lines near three of the major Los Angeles-area fires in the hours before the blazes began, and that some lines remained energized even after fires had ignited nearby. (Los Angeles Times, Washington Post)
• Southern California utilities say more than 400,000 customers may remain without electricity through the weekend as wildfire weather continues to spur public safety power outages. (Los Angeles Times)
• Observers say wildfire-related power outages also bring risks to residents who depend on electricity for heat, cooking and well-water pumping. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

OIL & GAS: Colorado regulators adopt first-in-the-nation rules requiring natural gas gathering and compression facilities to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but advocates criticize them for lacking enforcement parameters. (Colorado Sun)

GEOTHERMAL: Fervo Energy secures $255 million to fund enhanced geothermal power development, including its flagship project in western Utah. (Utility Dive)

HYDROGEN: The U.S. Army reveals a hydrogen-powered nanogrid at a New Mexico missile range. (Fuel Cells Works) 

SOLAR:

• A developer plans to convert a 2,000-acre dairy farm in southern Nevada into a utility-scale solar facility. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• A Washington county considers extending its two-year-old moratorium on new utility-scale solar projects to give it more time to develop a land-use code. (Washington State Standard)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Colorado streamlines applications for a grant program funding electric vehicle charger installations at multifamily housing units. (news release)

MINING:

• Wyoming officials hope a potential uranium mining revival will help offset diminishing coal and oil and gas severance tax revenues. (Gillette News-Record)
• The U.S. Energy Department awards the University of Wyoming $7.5 million to lead a regional coalition aimed at expanding domestic critical minerals and materials mining. (Oil City News)

COMMENTARY: An advocate urges Arizona policymakers to take heed of recent polling showing the majority of the state’s residents support ditching fossil fuels and developing clean energy. (Arizona Capitol Times)