Jonathan P. Thompson, Author at Energy News Network https://energynews.us/author/jthompson/ Covering the transition to a clean energy economy Wed, 21 Aug 2024 14:11:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://energynews.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-large-32x32.png Jonathan P. Thompson, Author at Energy News Network https://energynews.us/author/jthompson/ 32 32 153895404 Federal regulators a no-show on Permian Basin oil and gas pollution https://energynews.us/newsletter/federal-regulators-a-no-show-on-permian-basin-oil-and-gas-pollution/ Wed, 21 Aug 2024 14:11:39 +0000 https://energynews.us/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=2314249 OIL & GAS: Researchers find highly elevated oil and gas-related air pollution in a mostly Latino Permian Basin community, but federal regulators have yet to intervene. (Capital & Main) PUBLIC LANDS: Utah files a lawsuit seeking control of some 18.5 million acres of unappropriated federal lands in the state, claiming Biden administration regulations hamper oil […]

Federal regulators a no-show on Permian Basin oil and gas pollution is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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OIL & GAS: Researchers find highly elevated oil and gas-related air pollution in a mostly Latino Permian Basin community, but federal regulators have yet to intervene. (Capital & Main)

PUBLIC LANDS: Utah files a lawsuit seeking control of some 18.5 million acres of unappropriated federal lands in the state, claiming Biden administration regulations hamper oil and gas and other development. (Associated Press)

COAL: The U.S. EPA tentatively rejects parts of Utah regulators’ plan to reduce smog-forming emissions from two coal power plants in the central part of the state. (E&E News, subscription)

GEOTHERMAL: California regulators extend the public comment period for proposed geothermal plants near the Salton Sea after environmental justice groups raise concerns. (Holtville Tribune)

SOLAR: A company brings a 200 MW solar installation online to help power its gold mine in Nevada. (news release)

WIND: 

CLEAN ENERGY: 

GRID: 

UTILITIES: Montana regulators order NorthWestern Energy to provide more information before they will consider the utility’s proposed rate hike. (Daily Montanan)

CLIMATE: 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: California awards a San Francisco Bay Area ferry service $5 million to install floating charging stations. (RTO Insider, subscription)

BIOFUELS: A western Colorado county supports studying the feasibility of establishing sustainable aviation fuel production facilities in the region. (Biofuels Digest)

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Federal regulators a no-show on Permian Basin oil and gas pollution is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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New Mexico power cooperative looks to produce green hydrogen https://energynews.us/newsletter/new-mexico-power-cooperative-looks-to-produce-green-hydrogen/ Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:59:34 +0000 https://energynews.us/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=2314206 HYDROGEN: A New Mexico electric cooperative looks to establish a green hydrogen production facility at a defunct mine and Superfund site in the northern part of the state. (High Country News) SOLAR: Developers break ground on a 140 MW solar-plus-storage installation on the Jicarilla Apache Nation in northern New Mexico. (Albuquerque Journal) ALSO: CLEAN ENERGY:  […]

New Mexico power cooperative looks to produce green hydrogen is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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HYDROGEN: A New Mexico electric cooperative looks to establish a green hydrogen production facility at a defunct mine and Superfund site in the northern part of the state. (High Country News)

SOLAR: Developers break ground on a 140 MW solar-plus-storage installation on the Jicarilla Apache Nation in northern New Mexico. (Albuquerque Journal)

ALSO:

CLEAN ENERGY: 

OIL & GAS: 

  • California lawmakers consider delaying by more than four years implementing rules requiring oil companies to monitor oil and gas well leaks near homes and schools. (CalMatters)
  • A Montana poll finds broad support among registered voters for new Biden administration oil and gas rules increasing royalty rates and reclamation bonds. (Daily Montanan)
  • U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, an Alaska Republican, calls on the federal Bureau of Land Management to hand over correspondence related to a proposed Trans-Alaska Pipeline land transfer. (E&E News, subscription)

GRID: Data show natural gas remains California’s largest single energy source even though renewable, carbon-free sources provided 100% of the state’s electricity during 100 days so far this year. (CalMatters)

UTILITIES: A Washington state clean energy grant program has awarded $200 utility bill credits to about 50,000 low-income families since launching in July.  (Spokesman-Review)

CLIMATE: 

TRANSPORTATION: California regulators abandon a proposal to require jet fuel suppliers to pay for greenhouse gas emissions, saying it will look to incentivize sustainable fuel production instead. (E&E News, subscription)

COAL: Federal researchers find a Canada coal mine is sending pollution some 350 miles downstream and across the border to the Columbia River in the Northwest. (Montana Free Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: San Francisco Bay Area cities consider establishing electric bicycle regulations following an increase in related accidents. (Mercury News)

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Batteries save California’s bacon during heat waves https://energynews.us/newsletter/batteries-save-californias-bacon-during-heat-waves/ Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:02:18 +0000 https://energynews.us/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=2314169 STORAGE: Analysts say a significant buildup of battery energy storage capacity over the last two years has helped California’s grid weather this summer’s heat wave-driven power demand spikes. (East Bay Times) ALSO: Rural Washington state residents push back on a proposed 16-acre battery energy storage system, saying it would take land out of farming. (Capital […]

Batteries save California’s bacon during heat waves is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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STORAGE: Analysts say a significant buildup of battery energy storage capacity over the last two years has helped California’s grid weather this summer’s heat wave-driven power demand spikes. (East Bay Times)

ALSO: Rural Washington state residents push back on a proposed 16-acre battery energy storage system, saying it would take land out of farming. (Capital Press)

SOLAR: 

GRID: 

  • A southern California city that could lose power and natural gas service after landslides compromised utility lines appeals to Tesla to provide solar panels and batteries to residents. (Los Angeles Times)
  • Frequent power outages imperil the Port of Los Angeles’ quest to electrify its operations and distribution system. (Los Angeles Times)
  • A New Mexico advocacy group urges the U.S. Forest Service to reject a proposed transmission line leading to Los Alamos National Laboratory, saying it would damage cultural and ecological sites. (Santa Fe New Mexican)

MICROGRIDS: A developer plans to install a wind and solar powered microgrid in downtown Honolulu. (news release)

OIL & GAS: 

  • Advocates criticize Chevron for operating a local news website in the Permian Basin, saying it exists solely to prop up the industry. (Floodlight)
  • A California petroleum company seeks to block the state from releasing documents related to the firm’s plan to reopen a pipeline that spilled more than 100,000 gallons of oil in 2015, saying it could enable sabotage. (KCBX)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: 

UTILITIES: 

  • Oregon’s largest natural gas utility agrees to reduce its proposed rate hike following pushback from environmental and consumer advocates. (OPB)
  • Wyoming rural electric cooperatives push back on Tri-State Generation & Transmission’s plan to phase out coal generation. (Cowboy State Daily)

MINING: An industry-commissioned report finds Alaska’s mining sector supported 11,800 jobs and $1.1 billion in total wages last year. (Alaska Beacon)

COMMENTARY: A retired attorney calls on the Northwest’s congressional delegations to help prepare for rising power demand by reforming a 1980s law that handicaps the Bonneville Power Administration. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

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Batteries save California’s bacon during heat waves is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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California governor looks to gasoline reserves to dampen price spikes https://energynews.us/newsletter/california-governor-looks-to-gasoline-reserves-to-dampen-price-spikes/ Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:42:51 +0000 https://energynews.us/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=2314130 OIL & GAS: California Gov. Gavin Newsom calls on lawmakers to require petroleum refineries to maintain fuel reserves designed to avoid supply shortages and price spikes. (NBC Bay Area) ALSO:California advocates appeal a county’s approval of an oil-truck loading facility, saying it could lead to tanker crashes and spills. (Santa Barbara Independent) GEOTHERMAL:  CLEAN ENERGY: […]

California governor looks to gasoline reserves to dampen price spikes is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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OIL & GAS: California Gov. Gavin Newsom calls on lawmakers to require petroleum refineries to maintain fuel reserves designed to avoid supply shortages and price spikes. (NBC Bay Area)

ALSO:California advocates appeal a county’s approval of an oil-truck loading facility, saying it could lead to tanker crashes and spills. (Santa Barbara Independent)

GEOTHERMAL: 

CLEAN ENERGY: The Biden administration awards five rural Alaska communities nearly $18 million to develop hydropower, solar and battery energy storage system projects. (news release)

NUCLEAR: California nuclear microreactor startup Oklo inks non-binding deals to provide power to a Wyoming data center and Permian Basin oil and gas facilities. (Utility Dive)

GRID: 

  • California’s grid operator advances a bid to establish regional governance for a planned Western transmission organization and day-ahead power market. (Public Power)
  • An Arizona utility seeks public input on a proposed transmission line designed to accommodate projected growth in the Phoenix area. (news release)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Colorado startup looks to begin manufacturing electric self-propelled camper trailers by the end of this year. (Solar Industry)

SOLAR: 

CLIMATE: A California lawmaker proposes giving regulators six more months to implement a new emissions disclosure law for large corporations rather than the two-year delay proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. (E&E News, subscription) 

WIND: Oregon officials urge federal ocean managers to tighten restrictions on proposed offshore wind development along the state’s southern coast. (Jefferson Public Radio)

COAL: A New Mexico utility plans to begin demolishing the shuttered San Juan coal plant later this month with site cleanup commencing next year. (KUNM)CLIMATE: Southern Nevada health officials report heat-related ailments have killed at least 100 people in Las Vegas this year so far, a substantial increase from last year. (Mercury News)

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California governor looks to gasoline reserves to dampen price spikes is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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Colorado regulators boot oil and gas company out of the state https://energynews.us/newsletter/colorado-regulators-boot-oil-and-gas-company-out-of-the-state/ Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://energynews.us/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=2314106 OIL & GAS: Colorado regulators waive an oil and gas company’s $1.7 million fine for dozens of violations while revoking its right to operate in the state and ordering it to clean up its facilities. (Colorado Sun) ALSO: STORAGE: Tucson Electric Power plans a second 200 MW battery energy storage system in the southeastern part […]

Colorado regulators boot oil and gas company out of the state is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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OIL & GAS: Colorado regulators waive an oil and gas company’s $1.7 million fine for dozens of violations while revoking its right to operate in the state and ordering it to clean up its facilities. (Colorado Sun)

ALSO:

STORAGE: Tucson Electric Power plans a second 200 MW battery energy storage system in the southeastern part of the city to match another one under construction. (Arizona Daily Star)

GRID: 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: California officials call on the U.S. EPA to approve the state’s rule aimed at replacing diesel big rigs and other heavy trucks with electric or hydrogen vehicles. (CalMatters)

SOLAR: A California appeals court blocks a Los Angeles-area city from forcing a mobile home park to remove solar panels due to neighbors’ complaints. (Signal)

MINING: 

MICROGRIDS: The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians hires a firm to develop a 1.8 MW solar-plus-storage microgrid to power its tribal facilities in southern California. (Valley Roadrunner)

GEOTHERMAL: A Nevada city greenlights a proposed pipeline upgrade that would extend geothermal heating to a recreation center under development. (Elko Daily Free Press)

COMMENTARY: 

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Colorado regulators boot oil and gas company out of the state is an article from Energy News Network, a nonprofit news service covering the clean energy transition. If you would like to support us please make a donation.

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