Western day-ahead power market, grid organization advances

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Western Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

GRID

• California’s grid operator prioritizes reliability-driven projects over new transmission in its latest plan to meet energy demand growth and prepare for a regional electricity market. (Utility Dive)

• The Regional Organization for Western Energy incorporates and seeks funding from California’s grid operator to create a regional day-ahead power market. (Utility Dive)

STORAGE

• Leeward Renewable Energy brings online its 112.5 MW Sierra Pinta battery energy storage system in Yuma County, Arizona. (news release)

• Clearway secures financing for its 199 MW Spindle battery energy storage system under development in Weld County, Colorado. (news release)

UTILITIES

• Oregon lawmakers consider bills that would require utilities to help customers finance electric heat pumps, battery systems, and solar panels — and develop virtual power plants through third-party companies. (Salem Statesman-Journal)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Glenfarne Group tells federal regulators it plans to begin constructing the proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas pipeline and export terminal project as soon as mid-April, with in-state fuel delivery beginning in 2029. (E&E News)

• A New Mexico legislative committee tables a bill that would have banned drones from operating near critical infrastructure after advocates say it would hamper efforts to detect oil and gas spills and incidents. (Capital & Main)

• Indigenous and environmental advocates file a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to revive and extend Hilcorp Alaska’s expired oil and gas leases in the Arctic. (news release)

• The federal Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on 14 proposed oil and gas leases on 20,600 acres in Nevada. (news release)

TRANSPORTATION

• California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District allocates $30 million to help replace diesel school buses with zero-emission ones in communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution. (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

• The Trump administration halts about $135 million in federal EV charging infrastructure funding to Democratic-leaning states, including Colorado and California. (E&E News)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Oregon’s Energy Department awards nearly $12 million to 24 entities to fund solar, storage, micro-hydropower, and resilience projects across the state. (Solar Power World)

• Oregon lawmakers consider legislation that would establish guidelines for plug-in or balcony solar and make it easier for residents to install the technology. (OPB)

DATA CENTERS

• New Mexico advocates file a lawsuit accusing Doña Ana county leaders of violating state open meeting laws when approving a $165-million bond for the Project Jupiter data center in the southern part of the state. (Source NM)

• Nevada residents and officials raise concerns over rapid data center development in rural parts of the state, saying it strains power and water supplies and infrastructure. (Nevada Current)

CRITICAL MATERIALS

• Anson Resources says it has successfully used a direct extraction process to achieve battery grade lithium from its Green River project in Utah. (news release)

NUCLEAR

• Wyoming lawmakers vote down legislation that would have banned nuclear waste storage in the state unless approved by popular vote. (WyoFile)

• U.S. Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduce federal legislation aimed at expediting new commercial nuclear reactor development and investment by minimizing cost overruns. (news release)

COMMENTARY

• A Colorado advocate calls for Xcel Energy to build more microgrids and implement virtual power plants to mitigate fire hazard and avoid public safety power outages. (Boulder Daily Camera)