OIL & GAS: Colorado regulators predict oil and gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing emissions in 2023 will nearly double earlier estimates and the industry will be the state’s largest source of ozone-forming pollutants. (CPR)
ALSO:
• Economists warn New Mexico lawmakers that the state’s reliance on oil and gas revenues could leave it vulnerable to future fossil fuel price crashes. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• California officials investigate the cause and impacts of a Jan. 1 oil spill at an abandoned 19th century oil well near Santa Barbara. (KCBX)
GRID:
• Pacific Gas & Electric puts about 2,900 workers on standby to repair utility equipment expected to be battered by a “bomb cyclone” forecast for northern California. (East Bay Times)
• Federal law enforcement officials say a man suspected of attacking electrical substations in Washington state did so to rob a business during the ensuing power outage. (NPR)
UTILITIES:
• Colorado electricity cooperatives urge federal regulators to require Xcel Energy to refund $6.9 million in fuel charges, saying the utility mismanaged natural gas supplies during a 2021 cold snap. (Colorado Sun)
• In a state-mandated study, Colorado regulators find community choice electricity could speed the move to clean energy but also might raise utility rates. (Colorado Sun)
TRANSPORTATION: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis temporarily suspends some regulations on gasoline tanker trucks to alleviate potential gas shortages and price increases after the Suncor refinery shut down due to malfunctions. (Times-Call)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• A California court rules that minority workers at Tesla’s Fremont factory can seek an injunction requiring the company to acknowledge discrimination and take action to end it. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• A Tesla Megapack battery on a mobile electric vehicle charger in California catches fire and destroys the unit. (electrek)
• Denver, Colorado, is set to begin round five of a popular electric bike rebate program. (Denver7)
COAL:
• Public Service Company of New Mexico plans to begin demolishing the San Juan coal power plant this spring. (NM Political Report)
• Northern New Mexico communities struggle in the wake of the San Juan coal plant’s closure as supply chain constraints and legal disputes delay planned solar facilities and energy transition funds. (NPR)
• Wyoming lawmakers consider shifting funds previously earmarked for challenging coal export terminal denials to intervene in proposed coal power plant closures. (Cowboy State Daily)
SOLAR: Hawaii Island’s largest solar-plus-storage installation is operating at 85% of capacity and is expected to be fully online this spring. (Wyoming Public Radio)
STORAGE: Hawaiian Electric’s program compensating residents for installing home battery storage systems reaches 15 MW of installed capacity, or 30% of its goal. (Hawaii Public Radio)
COMMENTARY: A New Mexico editorial board urges state lawmakers to carefully vet nominees to the first governor-appointed utility regulatory commission. (Albuquerque Journal)
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