Lisa J Ellwood

Native American Students Face Ongoing Crises in Education

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) graduation rates have been on a downward trend since 2008 and analysis of the socio-economic reasons driving it is ongoing. As The Nation recently found, “Punitive discipline, inadequate curriculum, and…

California achieves 95% renewable energy (briefly)

GRID: California’s grid operator says the state reached a record 95% renewable energy on April 24, for a brief four seconds. (Los Angeles Times) CLIMATE: Portland General Electric endorses a proposed federal bill aiming to combat climate change,…

Senate votes to restore methane rules, a ‘down payment’ on climate fight

OIL & GAS: The U.S. Senate reverses a Trump-era rollback of oil and gas methane emission regulations in a 52-42 vote lead sponsor New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich calls a “down payment on the fight against the climate crisis.” (Inside Climate…

Colorado governor says reducing emissions is a “moral imperative”

CLIMATE: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says reducing emissions is a “moral imperative” and must remain a top priority as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Loveland Reporter-Herald) ALSO:• A new study finds climate change is already…

EPA to restore California’s authority to set tougher climate rules for cars

TRANSPORTATION: Following the Transportation Department’s easing of Trump-era restrictions on state-level pollution rules, the EPA announces it will restore California’s authority to set stricter climate requirements for cars and SUVs. (Washington…

Washington legislature passes cap-and-trade bill

CLIMATE: Washington lawmakers pass a bill in a 27-22 vote that will create a system to cap carbon emissions and allow businesses to buy and sell emissions credits; Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign it. (Seattle Times) OIL & GAS:• California Gov.…

Biden moves to end fight over California pollution standards

TRANSPORTATION: The Biden administration confirms the federal government is ending a Trump-era challenge to California’s authority to set fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards. (Los Angeles Times) ALSO: • Experts say electric vehicle…

Montana House committee kills Colstrip bill

COAL: A Montana House committee kills a bill aiming to save the Colstrip Power Plant and shield NorthWestern Energy from financial losses, citing ratepayer concerns. (Billings Gazette) TRANSPORTATION:• The Biden administration is expected as early as…

California needs to reduce pollution 80% by 2030, researchers say

CLIMATE: Researchers say California must aggressively accelerate its efforts to combat climate change, and call on the state to reduce pollution nearly 80% by 2030. (Los Angeles Times) PUBLIC LANDS: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland refrains from…

Clean energy is big business in a rural Utah county

CLEAN ENERGY: Renewable energy could become a remote southeastern Utah county’s principal export, with a Navajo Nation solar project leading the way. (Salt Lake Tribune) ALSO: A new report shows clean energy jobs in Colorado increased 6% from June to…

Haaland revokes Trump’s fossil fuel development rules

PUBLIC LANDS: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland revokes Trump-era orders promoting fossil fuel development on public lands and waters, saying they are “inconsistent with the department’s commitment to protect public health; conserve land, water, and…

New Mexico coal plant eyed for hydrogen project

COAL: New Mexico’s retired coal-fired Escalante Generating Station is to be redeveloped into a zero-emission, hydrogen-fired power facility under a new partnership between two energy companies. (news release, Renewables Now) ALSO:• The sponsor of a…

California anti-fracking bill dies in committee

OIL & GAS: A proposed California bill that would have banned fracking and eliminated other forms of oil extraction fails to pass a state senate committee by one vote. (Los Angeles Times) ALSO:• But the committee advanced three other oil…

Xcel says closing Colorado coal plants will cost $1.4 billion

COAL: In a filing to Colorado regulators, Xcel Energy says it will cost ratepayers $1.4 billion to close its remaining coal plants, a figure that will likely be challenged in proceedings. (Colorado Sun) TECHNOLOGY: A California environmental data…

Gas utility’s decarbonization plan still has a pollution problem

EQUITY: Advocates warn a California utility’s renewable natural gas push will further entrench industrial feedlots that are a major source of pollution in rural communities. (Discover) OIL & GAS: • New Mexico leaders are divided over President…

Group sues Interior Dept. over oil and gas leases near Bears Ears

OIL & GAS: A conservation group sues the U.S. Interior Department over 32 Trump-era oil and gas leases in Utah, alleging it did not assess archaeology and nature impacts, including in nearby Bears Ears National Monument. (Reuters) ALSO:• An…

Pacific Northwest ports announce pact to eliminate emissions

EMISSIONS: Four Pacific Northwest port agencies unveil a voluntary joint plan to phase out emissions by 2050 through investments in new fuels, equipment and port infrastructure. (Puget Sound Business Journal) NATURAL GAS: • The Los Angeles City…

Hawaii’s offshore wind hopes brighten — but still face hurdles

OFFSHORE WIND: The developers of three proposed offshore wind projects in federal waters off Oahu, Hawaii, hope for success under the Biden administration but face opposition from shoreline communities and fishing groups. (E&E News) ALSO: California…

New Mexico community solar legislation signed into law

SOLAR: New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham signs the Community Solar Act, allowing residents, small businesses and some public institutions to buy power from shared solar projects, with a requirement that 30% of output go to low-income customers or service…

California net metering battle could spur other states to review

SOLAR: California considers an overhaul of its net metering policy to prevent increased costs on lower-income customers, and experts say the debate could set the stage for changes in other states, too. (E&E News) OIL & GAS:• Navajo Nation citizens in…