Federal land energy policies could face setbacks under a new interior rule
In the rapidly evolving landscape of energy production, several significant developments and controversies are shaping the future of sustainable energy in the Western United States.
California, a trailblazer in the renewable energy sector, is witnessing a surge in innovative projects. California startup Edgecloud Link is developing a hydrogen generating system to power data centers, a breakthrough that also produces water to cool the servers. Meanwhile, Carbon Ridge has deployed an exhaust carbon capture system on a petroleum tanker, marking a step towards reducing carbon emissions in the petroleum industry.
However, not all news is positive. California data show a decline in electric vehicle market share, primarily due to a drop in Tesla sales during the second quarter of the year. Additionally, a California court ordered Phillips 66 to pay biofuel maker Propel Fuels $800 million in damages for stealing trade secrets.
Elsewhere in the region, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has ordered state agencies to speed up clean energy permitting to take advantage of federal tax credits before they expire. Colorado's Xcel Energy, along with local governments and nonprofits, have reached a tentative settlement over the utility's plan to address mountain communities' gas supply constraints.
In New Mexico, the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes selling 32 oil and gas leases covering 20,479 acres, a move that has sparked controversy. The person responsible for this decision remains unidentified. However, the BLM also plans to sell 13 geothermal leases on 23,000 acres across California later this month.
Meanwhile, offshore wind leasing is officially dead under the Trump administration, a setback for renewable energy advocates.
In the realm of energy storage, Arevon has started construction on a 300 MW Nighthawk battery energy storage system in Poway, California, and Burbank Water and Power has begun construction on the city's largest solar-plus-storage system over a transit center's parking lot.
Los Angeles officials have reported success in replacing traditional streetlights with solar-powered alternatives to prevent copper theft. However, the EPA is facing criticism for moves to defang its own regulatory power.
Controversy also surrounds California's new law pausing residential building code updates, with advocates arguing it could slow home electrification efforts and hinder progress on climate and clean energy goals. Moreover, a New Mexico industry group is urging state regulators to allow oil and gas operators to discharge some wastewater into waterways.
In the legal sphere, Xcel Energy has filed a lawsuit to overturn a Colorado county's rejection of a 48-mile segment of the utility's proposed Power Pathway transmission project. California advocates are also suing state regulators over amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, claiming they prioritize dairy industry profits over climate action.
These developments and controversies highlight the complex and dynamic nature of the energy transition in the Western United States, underscoring the need for continued dialogue, innovation, and commitment to a sustainable future.
