President possesses authority to revoke status of federal land designations as national monuments
In the realm of energy policy and development, several significant events are unfolding across the nation.
Arizona
Arizona GOP lawmakers are aiming to challenge two Republican utility regulators in the upcoming primary election, accusing them of defying the Trump administration's order to keep the defunct Cholla coal plant operational.
Western States
The Uinta Basin Railway Company is seeking $2.4 billion in federal bonds to finance a proposed oil-hauling railway in Utah, while developers of the Uinta oil project are also seeking similar funding. In Montana, advocates are pushing back against NorthWestern Energy's proposed rate hike, arguing that the utility's continued reliance on fossil fuels ignores climate-related costs and risks.
California
President Donald Trump plans to sign three resolutions revoking California's vehicle emissions standards, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the state's clean energy initiatives. Southern California regulators have rejected rules aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric heat pumps and water heaters, potentially hindering efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the smog-plagued area.
Utah
Fervo Energy's new 15,765-foot well at its Cape Station facility in Utah demonstrates the rapid advancement and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems. Meanwhile, 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 running from Helena to Three Forks in Montana.
Hawaii
A Hawaii lawmaker has tentatively proposed a pumped hydropower storage facility on Kohala Mountain, a potential step towards renewable energy solutions for the island state.
New Mexico
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, asserts that voters may hold Republicans accountable if their policies lead to higher energy prices.
Oregon
Oregon regulators have activated a summer ban on utility shutoffs for nonpayment to protect low-income customers from extreme heat. Meanwhile, an Oregon battery manufacturing firm, Powin, has filed for bankruptcy, citing struggles with tariffs and clean energy tax credit uncertainty.
Nationwide
An analytics firm finds that Northwest grid operators could expedite solar and wind interconnections by replacing long-term firm transmission contracts with flexible allocation. AES has completed the first phase of its 2,000 MW Bellefield solar-plus-storage project in southern California, designed to power Amazon data centers.
Policy Shifts and Bankruptcies
Unfavorable policy shifts in California have contributed to solar installer Sunnova and lender Solar Mosaic filing for bankruptcy. A new survey shows support for renewable energy has fallen among both Republicans and Democrats over the last five years, while backing for expanding fossil fuels and nuclear production has grown.
Legal Developments
The U.S. Justice Department has found that the 1906 Antiquities Act authorizes the president to alter or eliminate national monuments, potentially allowing the Trump administration to reverse bans on drilling, mining, and other energy development on millions of acres of Western lands. 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 roundup provides a snapshot of the diverse and dynamic energy landscape in the United States, with developments spanning from coast to coast.
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