President holds authority to revoke national monument designations, according to the Department of Justice
In Oregon, regulators have enacted a summer ban on utility shutoffs for nonpayment to safeguard low-income customers from the extreme heat. This move aims to provide relief during hotter months when energy usage increases, and financial difficulties could lead to severe consequences.
Meanwhile, in the Northwest, an analytics firm suggests that grid operators could expedite solar and wind interconnections by replacing long-term firm transmission contracts with more flexible allocation. This shift could potentially lead to a faster integration of renewable news sources into the grid.
On the political front, President Donald Trump is planning to sign three resolutions revoking California's vehicle emissions standards. This decision could have significant implications for the state's efforts to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.
In Southern California, AES has completed the first phase of its 2,000 MW Bellefield solar-plus-storage project, designed to power Amazon data centers. The project underscores the growing role of renewable energy in powering data-intensive operations.
Unfavorable policy shifts in California are among the reasons why solar installer Sunnova and lender Solar Mosaic have filed for bankruptcy. The challenges faced by these companies highlight the importance of stable and supportive policy environments for the renewable energy sector.
The federal Bureau of Land Management is applying the Trump administration's accelerated 14-day 'emergency' environmental review process to a proposed natural gas pipeline in Montana. This decision could potentially speed up the approval process for energy infrastructure projects, despite concerns about their environmental impact.
In western Colorado, a county has imposed a moratorium on new solar installations while considering proposed regulations for the projects. The move reflects the ongoing debate about the balance between renewable energy development and local land use regulations.
The U.S. Justice Department has found that the 1906 Antiquities Act authorizes the president to alter or eliminate national monuments. This ruling could potentially allow the Trump administration to reverse bans on drilling, mining, and other energy development on millions of acres of Western lands.
Fervo Energy claims its new well at its Cape Station facility in Utah demonstrates the rapid advancement and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems. The success of this project could pave the way for more geothermal energy development in the future.
A federal judge has allowed environmental advocates to defend a Biden-era ban on new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin from a Wyoming and Montana lawsuit. This decision could help protect the region from the environmental and health impacts of coal mining.
A new survey reveals a decline in support for renewable energy among both Republicans and Democrats over the last five years, while backing for expanding fossil fuels and nuclear production has increased. This trend could have significant implications for the future of energy policy in the United States.
Arizona GOP lawmakers are targeting two Republican utility regulators' seats in the next primary election, citing defiance of the Trump administration's order aimed at keeping the defunct Cholla coal plant operating. This move could potentially shift the balance of power in utility regulation in the state.
A Hawaii lawmaker has proposed a pumped hydropower storage facility on Kohala Mountain. If approved, this project could provide a significant boost to the state's renewable energy storage capabilities.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, suggests that voters may hold Republicans accountable if their policies lead to higher energy prices. This statement underscores the political implications of energy policy decisions.
Montana advocates are opposing NorthWestern Energy's proposed rate hike, citing climate-related costs and risks associated with the utility's continued reliance on fossil fuels. This opposition reflects growing concerns about the financial and environmental costs of fossil fuel-based energy.
The proposal to build pumped-storage power plants in Hawaii was made by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute. This proposal could help address the challenge of storing renewable energy for use during peak demand periods.
In a separate development, an Oregon battery manufacturing firm, Powin, has filed for bankruptcy, citing struggles with tariffs and clean energy tax credit uncertainty. This news underscores the challenges faced by the renewable energy industry in navigating complex policy environments.
Developers of the proposed Uinta oil-hauling railway in Utah are seeking $2.4 billion in federal bonds to finance the $3.8 billion project. This move reflects the ongoing efforts to develop fossil fuel infrastructure, despite growing calls for a transition to renewable energy.
Finally, Southern California regulators have rejected rules to encourage the adoption of electric heat pumps and water heaters. This decision could potentially hinder efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the smog-plagued area.
These developments highlight the ongoing debates and decisions shaping the energy landscape across the United States. As the country grapples with issues such as climate change, energy security, and affordability, the future of energy policy remains a topic of intense interest and discussion.
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