Snohomish County Halts New Fossil Fuel Projects; Wyoming Mines Profit
In a significant shift, Snohomish County, Washington, has voted to halt new fossil fuel infrastructure construction. Meanwhile, Arch Resources' Wyoming mines netted $40 million in profits. Colorado's Weld County adopted strict oil and gas regulations, effectively banning drilling. Public Service Company of New Mexico warns of potential summer brownouts due to delayed solar projects. A federal judge allows tribes to join a lawsuit against the proposed Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada.
Snohomish County's vote sends a clear message against new fossil fuel news. The move comes as Colorado's Weld County adopts stringent regulations, including 2,000-foot setbacks, effectively halting oil and gas drilling. Meanwhile, Arch Resources' Black Thunder and Coal Creek mines in Wyoming generated a $40 million profit in the second quarter.
In New Mexico, Public Service Company warns of potential brownouts next summer due to delayed solar project construction. The company urges state regulators to address the issue promptly. In Nevada, a federal judge permits the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Atsa kookakuh wyh Nuwu/People of Red Mountain to join a lawsuit against the proposed Thacker Pass lithium mine. Nevada regulators also move closer to adopting stricter tailpipe emissions standards and rules for zero-emissions vehicles.
A burning coal seam in Wyoming may have sparked a wildfire that has so far consumed 3,000 acres. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has identified another area off the California coast for potential wind power development. Rooftop solar installers in California report an increase in installations due to threats of conservation alerts and rolling power outages. Off the coast of Virginia, Dominion Energy is developing a large offshore wind power project, currently about 60 to 80 percent completed, planned to be the largest in the country with 176 turbines generating about 2.6 GW.
These developments highlight a mix of progress and challenges in the energy sector. While Snohomish County and Weld County adopt stricter regulations against fossil fuel news, Arch Resources' Wyoming mines continue to profit. Delays in renewable energy projects raise concerns about grid reliability, while new wind power projects and legal battles over mining proposals indicate a complex energy landscape.
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