Energy news in brief

** Wyoming’s coal industry could gain a temporary boost Wyoming under a Biden presidency, but experts say a ban on oil and gas leasing on federal land would be particularly damaging for the state’s industry according to the Casper Star-Tribune.

** An independent California consumer watchdog agency says PG&E should be fined $165.7 million for mismanaging its planned power outages in 2019 reported the Los Angeles Times.

** The New Mexico Political Report says New Mexico’s climate change task force in a new report says the state has made progress in reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to climate change, but still has more work to do. 

** Salt caverns in Utah could become the world’s largest energy storage facility, potentially storing enough renewable hydrogen to provide 1,000 MW of backup power according to CNBC.

** The Detroit News reports Fiat Chrysler expects to pay nearly $259 million to settle allegations involving cheating on diesel emissions tests. 

** Separate developers eye large-scale wind and solar projects totaling 575 MW of capacity in a western Michigan county according to the Greenville Daily News.

** Ameren proposes a 6 MW solar project in eastern Missouri based on customer demand, reported the Jefferson City News Tribune.

** South Dakota regulators approve the transfer of a wind project and transmission line but will require the new owner to fix roads that were damaged as part of construction according to KELO.

** The San Antonio Express-News reports a Houston man faces federal charges over a scheme to bilk 21 oil and gas investors out of $1.2 million.

** The Portland Press Herald in Maine reports a new petition drive to stop a power line from Canada is underway as the Maine Secretary of State provides the necessary paperwork to organizers.

** A New Jersey oil refinery lays off 63% of its workforce, blaming the economic downturn from coronavirus, reported NJ.com.