CALIFORNIA
Most of State’s Destructive Fires Were Caused by Power Lines
Since 1992, more than 3,600 wildfires in California have been related to power generation, transmission and distribution, according to data from the U.S. Forest Service.
At least eight of the state’s 20 most destructive wildfires in terms of structures destroyed had either electrical or power line causes, including No. 1 (Camp Fire) and No. 2 (Tubbs Fire), according to CalFire. The current Palisades and Eaton fires, which would rank No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, are still under investigation.
More: The New York Times
Residents Evacuated Following Moss Landing Battery Fire
Some 1,200 residents were evacuated and later allowed to return home following a major fire at the Vistra battery storage plant in Moss Landing.
The fire was reported around 3 p.m. on Jan. 16. Residents near the area were forced to evacuate but were allowed to return home the following night. Fire crews did not engage with the fire but rather waited for it to burn out on its own, as lithium battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said there had been no injuries reported and none of the air quality monitoring systems picked up on any dangerous gases in the air.
More: The Mercury News
KENTUCKY
Savion Starts up Solar Farm at Former Coal Mine
Solar and energy storage developer Savion announced commercial operations have begun at its 111-MW Martin County Solar Project. The project is located on the site of the former Martiki coal mine.
More: Renewables Now
MAINE
Utility Committee Backs Nominee for Public Advocate
The Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted Heather Sanborn as the state’s next public advocate. The former state legislator was nominated by Gov. Janet Mills to succeed Bill Harwood, who announced he will retire at the end of January. The committee’s recommendation will go to the Senate for final approval.
More: Maine Morning Star
MASSACHUSETTS
BOEM Issues Final Permit for SouthCoast Wind Project
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has approved the Construction and Operations Plan for the SouthCoast Wind project. While originally intended to have 147 turbines, the project will be equipped with 141 machines that will be installed within a lease area covering 127,388 acres. The turbine number was reduced to lower potential impacts on foraging habitat and displacement of wildlife.
More: Renewables Now
NEBRASKA
Senator Introduces Proposal to Create Office of Climate Action
Sen. Ashlei Spivey (D-District 13) has introduced legislation that would create an Office of Climate Action under the state’s Department of Environment and Energy. The office would create a climate action plan, coordinate federal grants and monitor how legislation passed the prior year impacts the environment. Committee hearings will begin Jan. 22.
More: Nebraska Public Media
SOUTH DAKOTA
Representative to Introduce Legislation Blocking Eminent Domain for Carbon Pipelines
Rep. Karla Lems (R) announced she will introduce a bill intended to ban the use of eminent domain for carbon pipeline projects. Incoming Sen. Mark Lapka (R) will carry the bill in the Senate, while Lems will carry the bill in the House. Both own land that would be crossed by the pipeline.
Residents have voiced frustration over Summit Carbon Solutions’ potential use of eminent domain to acquire land for its proposed pipeline. The $9 billion project would capture carbon dioxide in five states and transport it to an underground storage area in North Dakota.
More: South Dakota Searchlight
TEXAS
PUC Approves Entergy Grid Upgrades
The Public Utility Commission has approved Entergy’s Future Ready Resiliency Plan. The first phase of the grid-enhancing plan, which includes $137 million in projects to reduce outages and storm restoration costs, will be implemented over three years and is projected to reduce outage times by an estimated 1 billion minutes over the next 50 years.
More: MyTexasDaily.com
