California
Some California lawmakers have proposed repealing a 2022 measure, the income graduated fixed charge, that would protect low-income customers and beneficial electrification from electricity rates that are now the nation's third-highest. Utility Dive
California
The former head of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will serve four years in prison for honest services fraud bribery conspiracy and a separate bank fraud scheme and conspiracy. Harlan Kelly Jr. was convicted in July of 2023, and sentenced March 18. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, the Department of Justice said. KPIX
International
After long promoting their climate work, many major financial institutions are now scaling back participation in international climate agreements. amid partisan pressure on ESG initiatives. Yahoo
Kentucky
A new state bureaucracy isn't the answer to the attack on coal from Washington D.C, Kentucky Forum for Rights, Economics & Education President Andrew McNeill writes. Instead, Kentucky's attention should be focused on winning that battle in the courts. Kentucky Lantern
Maine
Maine's Board of Environmental Protection voted March 20 not to move forward with controversial rules aimed at increasing sales of electric vehicles in the state. The proposal., which may be adopted by the Legislature, would have added Maine to the growing list of states using government regulations to push car makers into selling more zero-emissions vehicles. Maine Public Radio
Maryland
Governor Moore's administration is supporting legislation to exempt data centers from environmental scrutiny. Advocates say that amounts to reneging on previous climate promises. Inside Climate News
Massachusetts
First in the nation office to guide the clean energy transition in Massachusetts. Environment America
Minnesota
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission last month voted to require gas utilities to file long-range resource plans, similar to those used for electric utilities. Energy News Network
Missouri
A Callaway County commissioner and most of Missouri's commodity groups support legislation increasing the number of Public Service Commission members from five to seven. The bill is expected to hit the Missouri House floor after the legislative spring break, which began March 17. KWOS
Montana
In a decision released March 20, a unanimous court ruled that while Montana's largest energy provider, NorthWestern Energy, did not follow the law by trying to add more renewable, local energy to its portfolio, neither the Montana Public Service Commission, nor the district court in Great Falls properly handled the case, either. Daily Montanan
Nebraska
Legislative Bill 399 would require privately developed wind and solar projects to be approved by the Nebraska Power Review Board, reversing changes the Legislature made in 2016. KRVN 880 Rural Radio
Oregon
All three of the natural gas companies in Oregon will have to fix their long-term plans to meet the state's targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Oregon Public Utilities Commission, which only has two members, said March 14 it could "not acknowledge" Cascade Natural Gas' plans to meet the state's greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2050. Last year, the commission, which regulates the rates charged by private electric and natural gas utilities, rejected similar plans from the two other gas utilities serving the state, NW Natural and Avista. Oregon Capital Chronicle
Texas
Exxon Mobil Corp. won't move forward with one of the world's largest, low-carbon hydrogen projects if the Biden administration withholds tax incentives for natural gas-fed facilities, Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods said during an interview. Hydrogen Central
U.S.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's new rule on corporate climate risk disclosure was a disappointment to those who felt it did not go far enough but it nonetheless offers clarity for companies juggling multiple international jurisdictions, sources told GreenBiz. GreenBiz
U.S.
It could tighten restrictions on drilling, mining and other commercial activities on public lands in the West. New York Times
U.S.
A federal court on March 15 temporarily halted new rules from the Securities Exchange Commission that require public companies to disclose more about the business risks they face from climate change, siding with two oil and gas companies that criticized the requirements as costly and arbitrary. The New York Times
U.S.
Two fracking companies had challenged requirements that some businesses disclose more information about the risks they face from climate change. New York Times
U.S.
Biden is revising key energy and climate rules to make them more beneficial to middle-income consumers, businesses and, he hopes, swing state voters, writes Paul Bledsoe, a professorial lecturer at American University's Center for Environmental Policy. The Hill
U.S.
If the U.S. has any chance of meeting its decarbonization goals, more companies must help support development of alternative power production by taking advantage of the opportunity to buy clean energy tax credits at a discount., experts with PA Consulting write Utility Dive
U.S.
In many ways, nuclear energy and renewable energy are the inverse of each other. One is reliable and efficient, but has a terrible reputation and faces onerous government regulations. The other is unreliable and inefficient but is widely popular and receives many government advantages, the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes. MSN
U.S.
Trump campaign has said ex-president would seek to repeal all or significant parts of the Inflation Reduction Act if he returns to office next year. Hydrogen Insight
U.S.
The federal government on March 20 released new rules that would cut the number of gas-burning cars sold over the next decade. While drafted with good intentions, the move could very well backfire either by asking too much too soon or by prioritizing one particular technology at the expense of viable alternatives. Reason
U.S.
Should Trump win a second term, overturning EPA's new tailpipe emissions rule may be difficult, largely due to massive investment in EV infrastructure, much of which has occurred in red states. Fast Company
Vermont
It would make every electric utility in Vermont purchase 100% of its power from renewable resources by 2035. It would also require that a lot more of that power come from new renewable energy sources built in Vermont and New England. Vermont Public
Vermont
The analysis found that the bill is more likely to cost Vermont ratepayers between $150 million and $450 million between 2025 and 2035 -- less than half of the Department of Public Service's original figure. VTDiger
Vermont
Legislative analysis found that Vermont's renewable energy strategy is likely to cost ratepayers between $150 million and $450 million from 2025 through 2035. An earlier estimate put the cost at roughly $1 billion. VTDigger
Virginia
A handful of Democratic legislators are opposed to a plan to build a natural gas power plant in Chesterfield, a proposal that Virginia's largest utility said will ensure electric grid reliability during expected surges in power demands over the next 15 to 25 years. Virginia Mercury
Virginia
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill March 114 that would have required that long-running vacancies on the state's environmental justice council be filled. Virginia Mercury
Virginia
State lawmakers added an amendment to the budget bill demanding the state rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but draft changes could prompt a veto from Gov. Youngkin. Inside Climate News
Washington
EFSEC must assess potential impacts while finding balanced, science-based solutions that maximize renewable energy benefits while safeguarding our environment; put simply, it has failed to do so, writes former U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks. Seattle Times
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers appointed Marcus Hawkins, executive director of the Organization of MISO States, to the state Public Service Commission. Hawkins replaces Commissioner Tyler Huebner, who was fired by the state Senate. Hawkins, whose appointment is effective April 8, will serve for the rest of the term ending March 1, 2027. Wisconsin Law Journal
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