Regulators in California decline gas-appliance elimination regulations
In the western United States, a variety of energy-related developments are underway.
California
The California Building Industry Association (CBIA) is opposing the mandated phase-out of heating boilers and water heaters by air quality regulators. This move aims to prevent the phase-out, which is part of California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Meanwhile, a setback for residential installations of solar panels was reported in Southern California, as air quality regulators voted to reject proposed rules that aimed to phase out residential gas water heaters and furnaces.
Colorado
Colorado regulators are working tirelessly to extinguish an abandoned coal mine waste fire that has been smoldering for decades. Colorado energy experts have highlighted jurisdictional issues as a barrier to utilities' ability to expand and modernize the power grid.
On a positive note, Colorado State University and Pivot Energy have partnered on a proposed offsite solar installation. If successful, this project could double the campus' renewable energy use.
New Mexico
New Mexico has launched a $5.3 million loan program to finance energy efficiency, solar, and electric panel upgrades in commercial buildings. However, advocates are opposing a proposal to recycle oil and gas drilling wastewater to supplement drought-diminished water supplies.
Arizona
In Arizona, a vice-mayor expressed concern over partisan efforts to slash federal clean energy and climate funding, stating that such moves could derail solutions communities have been building for years.
Utah
Utah elected officials are urging state and federal leaders to streamline transmission permitting, arguing that an expanded and upgraded grid will slash energy costs and boost reliability.
Idaho and Nevada
Idaho National Laboratory researchers are working to develop earthquake-resistant electrical transformer bushings, while Nevada's Belen city council approved a utility-scale solar installation on private land, expected to create jobs and generate tax revenue.
North Carolina
A North Carolina food bank is saving $143,000 annually thanks to its rooftop solar array, but the federal incentives that made it possible are under threat from Republicans' proposed budget bill.
Alaska
Alaska's Governor Mike Dunleavy has threatened to strip BlueCrest Energy of its energy leases due to unmet drilling commitments.
Chicago and Western Colorado
A Chicago-area startup, Sun Metalon, aims to reduce steel industry emissions with an oven-sized box that cleans and melts down waste metal into recyclable pucks. In western Colorado, an airport is rushing to begin construction on a parking lot solar installation in anticipation of Congress' expected cuts to federal clean energy tax credits.
Louisiana and Oregon
The Trump administration has removed a California startup's proposed direct-air carbon capture project in Louisiana from its federal funding "kill list" following Republican officials' lobbying. In Oregon, Democratic lawmakers are preparing to introduce a transportation funding bill that could increase the state's gasoline tax and introduce additional fees.
Massachusetts
Residents of Springfield, Massachusetts, are fighting back after rulings to stop a wood-burning power plant were reversed.
Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation citizens and advocates are pushing back against the Trump administration's push to revive the coal industry.
These developments underscore the ongoing efforts to balance energy production, efficiency, and environmental concerns across the western United States.
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