Wyoming might experience financial loss due to reduced coal royalties at the federal level.
In the realm of energy and environmental policy, a global debate is unfolding regarding the future of small modular reactors. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed legislation to streamline new oil and gas well permitting and require companies to plug and reclaim some existing wells, according to Politico.
The energy sector is also facing changes due to political decisions. For instance, rooftop solar may face fallout from Trump's megabill, and there is a question about whether the AI boom will be powered by big, slow energy projects.
On the renewable energy front, Western Democrats, advocates, and the industry are pushing back on the Trump administration's decision to heighten reviews for proposed solar and wind projects on federal land, fearing it could lead to a clean energy "shadow ban," as reported by E&E News.
In the realm of alternative fuels, California lawmakers have advanced legislation that would allow gasoline to contain up to 15% ethanol as part of an effort to tackle increasing fuel prices. New Mexico has awarded Navitas Global $800,000 to help expand its ethanol production operations, and EV sales in Colorado are expected to rebound before state and federal incentives expire.
In the world of power generation, Xcel Energy has proposed adding 5,168 MW of generating and storage capacity to its Texas and New Mexico grids. Nevada solar residents are rushing to install rooftop arrays before federal clean energy tax credits expire at the end of this year.
The environmental impact of energy projects is a significant concern. Advocates have filed an emergency appeal to overturn the U.S. Forest Service’s approval of a natural gas pipeline from Montpelier, Idaho, to Afton, Wyoming, due to concerns about imperiled sage grouse habitat fragmentation, as reported by Wildlife News.
The World Bank report finds that gas flaring volumes increased in the Permian Basin last year, but did so more slowly than oil production. However, Wyoming could lose up to $50 million annually due to federal coal royalty reductions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but some losses may be offset by increased economic activity.
Unfortunately, energy projects are not without their accidents. Crews in Washington state are working to contain a spill of about 3,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel into a creek and salmon habitat following a tanker truck crash.
Lastly, California Governor Gavin Newsom supports legislation to create a Western transmission organization and day-ahead power market. In other news, a proposed data center complex in Tucson would consume more electricity than any other TEP customer and more water than four golf courses.
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