Lawmakers in California addressing escalating utility expenses
In the dynamic landscape of energy production, several developments are shaping the western United States.
Nuclear Energy
Utah Governor Spencer Cox is aiming to attract nuclear energy-related firms to the state, following NuScale's abandoned plans for a small modular reactor (SMR) project in Utah due to economic reasons. Elsewhere, Rolls-Royce and Holtec are considering potential sites for future SMR factories, but no specific companies have yet settled nuclear energy-related businesses in Utah.
Renewable Energy
California's failure to continue funding one of the world's largest virtual power plants could potentially threaten the program and grid reliability, according to a California analyst. In a positive turn, California lawmakers have allocated $226 million in the current budget bill to support offshore wind development.
Meanwhile, Nevada regulators have approved NV Energy's proposal to base customers' bills on their maximum electricity-use during a day, a move that has drawn criticism from advocates.
Fossil Fuels
A federal Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sale in Montana and North Dakota brought in $38 million. In Colorado, a city is proposing replacing a retiring coal plant with a small modular nuclear reactor.
Wyoming's coal industry anticipates a California Supreme Court ruling on a proposed shipping terminal that could expand coal's export markets. In New Mexico, advocates are working to track and highlight the perils of abandoned oil and gas wells, pushing regulators to hold responsible firms accountable for cleanup costs. The state brought in $117 million from a state land oil and gas lease auction, the second-highest amount ever.
Electric Vehicles
California electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian broke ground on a $5 billion factory in Georgia. No related developments were reported in the western states provided.
Regulatory Actions
A federal appeals court upheld the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approval of a proposed Broadview solar-plus-storage array in Montana. In Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes called on regulators to reject APS' proposed 14% rate hike, citing concerns about the impact on struggling families.
In California, lawmakers passed bills aimed at reducing electricity costs, including relief from high summertime bills, public transmission financing, and exempting federal clean energy incentives from state income taxes. They also passed a bill to clear the way for lifting a moratorium on carbon dioxide pipelines.
In National City, California, the planning commission voted to reject a proposed fuel depot due to concerns over increased oil-hauling traffic.
These developments highlight the ongoing shifts in the energy sector across the western United States, with a mix of renewable, nuclear, and fossil fuel projects, as well as regulatory actions aimed at shaping the future of energy production.
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