** A federal judge rules William Perry Pendley has been working unlawfully as acting director of the Bureau of Land Management for 424 days without being confirmed by the Senate.
** United States Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette criticizes renewable energy and pushes natural gas and nuclear power to provide “24/7 reliable energy” to California.
** The world’s first shipment of blue ammonia is on its way from Saudi Arabia to Japan, where it will be used in power stations to produce electricity without carbon emissions. Saudi Aramco, which made the announcement Sunday, produced the fuel, which it does by converting hydrocarbons into hydrogen and then ammonia, and capturing the carbon dioxide byproduct. Japan will receive 40 tons of blue ammonia in the first shipment, Aramco said.
** Hawaii Gov. David Ige signs a bill banning new power purchase agreements for coal-generated electricity after December 2022.
** Thirty-seven Senate Democrats called on the Commission on Presidential Debates to ensure moderators ask Trump and Biden about climate change during the upcoming presidential debates,. “The 2016 presidential debates were the most-watched in U.S. history; however, there was not a single question on climate change asked by the moderators during any of the four debates,” reads the letter, led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
** New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham continues to oppose a proposed nuclear waste facility, saying the federal government failed to address numerous economic and environmental concerns.
** The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers reissues three permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline to cross nearly 1,000 streams and wetlands.
** The growing number of strong hurricanes and continued erosion along Louisiana’s coast is increasing the risk of major oil spills in the region.
** Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont calls the state legislature into a special session this week partly to deal with a proposal to penalize utilities for slow service restoration after major storms.
** Smart meter programs are helping Evergy and Ameren Missouri roll out new customer rate programs that incentivize saving energy during peak times.
** A North Dakota oil company pursues wind energy development and a job training program to diversify its revenue and retain workers.
** Decommissioning is underway at Iowa’s only nuclear plant, which opted not to restart after being damaged in a strong storm last month.
** A board member for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says Sen. Joni Ernst has been an ally for the industry amid uncertainty over fuel blending exemptions for small oil refiners.